The sun. (Jacksonville, Fla.) 1905-1908, 1906-07-21


plus millions for naught does not clean up around
his own door and bring into utility his waste
places and enrich and gladden. the hearts OF MS
people at home and save to himself the importa-
ton of the countless millions Of products which
can be more proftatly raised and manufactured
here under his own eye and auspices is a problem
difficult to solve And why the millionaires here
In the United States and elsewhere as well seek
ing investments, gladly accepting small rate ~
percentage, do not grasp this golden opportunity
and place It where 1t will bless their race and
bring In no less than one hundred per cent Is
another problem difficult to solve
Today the Trustees OF the Internal Improve
ment OF Florida are the custodians OF all this
vast area, and are more than anxious to enter
into contract with somebody to drain all those
lands. and pay them literally for such drainage
In lands, possibly one-half or more for draining
the whole, but that noble board composed II
Governor jennings, j. B. Whitfield, Attorney Gen.
eral; A. G. Groom, Comptroller; w. V. Knott,
Treasurer; H. Clay Crawford, Secretary OF State,
and B. e. McI4in Commissioner Of Lands and
Agriculture, are terribly handicapped with law
suits now pending in the United States courts,
Instituted by a powerful railroad company who
claim all the land and more for having construct
ed railroads In West Florida, four hundred miles
from this land. No use to mention the shadow
of claim they set forth, suffice 1t to say the swamp
and overlooked lands of Florida including the
great glades in question, was decided to the State
OF Florida In trust to be used solely for their own
reclamation and drainage. I quote the law:
Chapter LXXXlv, Act OF Congress Sept. 49,
1850. Be 1t enacted, etc., THAT to enable tho
State of Arkansas to construct the necessary
levees and drains to reclaim the swamp and Over.
flowed lands therein the whole of those swamp
and overfiowed lands, made unfit thereby for cul-
tivation, which shall remain unsold at the pas!
sage OF this act, shall be, and the same are here.
by granted to said State.
Sec. 2. And be It further enacted That It shall
be the duty Of the Secretary of the Interior, as
soon as may be practicable after the passage of
this act to make out an accurate list and plat OF
the lands described as aforesaid and transmit the
same to the Governor Of the State Of Arkansas
and at the request OF said Governor, cause h
patent to be issued to the State therefor; and ON
that patent the fee simple to said lands shall rest
In the State OF Arkansas subject to the disposal
OF the Legislature thereof. Provided. however,
That the proceeds of said lands whether from
sale or by direct appropriation in kind shall be ap.
piled exclusively as far as necessary to the pur-
pose Of reclaiming said lands by means OF levees
and drains aforesaid.
Sec g. And be It further enacted, That in max.
Ing out list and plats Of the land aforesaid all
legal subdv. lon, the greater part of which Is
wet and UNIT for cultivation, shall be included IN
said lists and plats; but when the greater part of
subdivision is not Of that character, the whole
OF 1t shall be excluded therefrom
Sec, a. And be It further enacted That the pro-
visions OF this act be EXTENDED to, and their bene-
hts be conferred upon each of the other States of
the Union In which swamp and overlooked lands
known and designated as aforesaid may be Sit
uated.
II there Is a word In the above law looking IN
the construction Of RAILROADS your writer fails TO
see IT. but nevertheless railroads have gobbled II
nearly all up and searching for more
When the present suit now pending In the Uni
ted States Court bearing upon those lands IA de-.
cided no doubt but the way will be clear for the
Board OF Trustees of the l. I. Fund to 60 ahead
and arrange, as It very much desires to do. to en-
ter into contract to permanently lower Iase'
Okeechobee by opening broad and spacious
canal to the Atlantic ocean, sufficient To nracti.
carly drain the Everglades and the surroundings
OF Lake Okeechobee which when done viii canee
Lee county and her neighboring counties to bloom
as the rose. ~ 'Ao''"
The above lines have been principally cont,red
to the western and eastern portion OF Lee comfy
and only lightly touched upon. The great indus
try OF raising the tomato and other tender yeSs
tables along the western coast Of Lee county On
Pine Island. Sanibe Island, Estero and on ali Tho
Islands and keys for distance of one bnndraS
miles. together with sugar cane at Chatham DO"
and Chokooski is OF sufficient imnortanca DO" ~
make up long article II Is sufBcient IN sey
that this industry Is assuming immense nron"s.
lions and rapidly on the increase. p'"p'''
few lines devoted to the nortbarr nou.,.
the county will be taken up beginning a. The hass
waters OF the Caloosahatchie river 1Caloosa r~.