The weekly true Democrat. (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1905-1912, 1906-08-24
THAT PROPOSED AMENDMENT.

We have read several Of the effusions
of the various contributors for and
against the proposed amendment 70
Article 16 of the Constitution of the
State Of Florida, that must be ratified
or rejected by the voters Of the State
at the next general election to be held
on the first Tuesday after the first Mon
day in November.
While some Of these articles are well
written, from the standpoint Of good
rhetoric, TO US they bear the imprint
of Linked sweetness long drawn out, )"
or, TO use plain and unbroken Omitted
States" too many Of them bear the
ear marks of having been paid for at
80 much per line, therefore dethrOninR
whatever OF reasoning power these
articles may have otherwise possessed.
In the first place they make a most
eRregious blunder in tactily admitting
the feasibility Of this reclamation at a
reasonable cost. In these days Of ia
VOritIsms rake-Offs and gratis all prac-
tical men know that any branch Of
public work, either State, county or
municipal, IL done better and cheaper
under contract than by the principal or
initial sources.
No one has or can have the faintest
conception Of the cost OF this attempt
ed drainage per annum. nor of the
length Of time for which this assess
ment and collection Of this acreage tax
not exceeding ten cents per acre may
endure. II might be fttingly called
a kathleen MavOureen" assessment;
one Of the acknowledgements
may-be-foTever" variety.
Now, with all due Difference to these
"I-am-hOlier than-thou" drainage com
missiODers, who are thus usurping and
unifyinR the separate and distinct Leg
islative Judicial and Executive branches
Of the government as presumed by that
little inhnitesmal atom, the Constitu-
ton, we would modestly suggest that
they are still ''of the earth earthly"
and just as prone TO make mistakes as
manum est errare" 30 also ito forgive
divine" and we most earnestly beg
their forgiveness as we suggest to
them that the power they seek Is en-
tirely too much for any five men in any
country claiming 20 be free.
This proposed amendment Is now be-
ing published In one Newspaper in every
county In Florida, and every unbiased,
unprejudiced mind who thinks Of It's
provisions will come TO the inevitable
conclusion that this drainage commits
sion will, In the event Of the ratifca.
ton Of this amendment. be clothed with
power unwaTTanted and unprecedented
In a democratic form of government.
We believe the drainage Of the Ever
glades would rebound TO incalculable
benefit TO the whole State of Florida,
and we regard Il our duty TO be thus
frank and honest In this admission. But,
In the name Of justice and common sense,
why make FISH Of one and fowl Of the
other" when the reclamation of these
lands would enhance the taxable values
Of the State, which alone can reduce
the rate Of assessment throughout It's
entire bounds.
We submit that the many thousand
acres Of prairie lands lying within this
contemplated drainage district can never
be made of any earthly use except for
grazing purposes. Their present value
as a cattle range would be diminished
rather than enhanced But, II this
amendment Is ratified, these lands will
have 10 be taxed for an indefinite pc
Rod at rate not exceeding ten cents
per acre. only TO enhance the value Of
the property OF other people mt the ex-
penEe and conhcRtion Of these prairie
lands.
Even then, when we acknowledge the
drainage Of this territory entirely prac-
teal and feasible, the amendment is a
menace TO the rights Of acquiring and
defending property" guaranteed hy the
organic law Of the State, and ought to
be rejected
We have no serious objection TO am
bilious politicians rewarding a horde Of
their henchmon for either past or future
political glory, but We do strenuously
object 10 their cOniiscating the prop
erty Of others to pay such debts Jack
sonville Floridian.
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