The weekly true Democrat. (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1905-1912, 1906-06-22

- WH8bA88B SNESNs
The Herald in the campaign Of 1904,
as is we'll known, did not support Gov
ernor BFowsrd, but was for X. W.
Davis, q man who, though beaten at
last, was known TO the Herald as safe
and brainy man, to whose care the best
interests Of Florida might be safely en-
trusted.
But when Governor Broward was
elected and inaugurated, we, as loyal
Democrats, yielded TO him our most
cordial support. We even went 80 fSr
as 70 give our sanction to his drainage
scheme And this we did not withdraw
until after the matter had gotten before
the United States Court, and that tTi-
bunal had sustained TO q material eX-
tent the contention Of those who had
opposed it from the start. Then we
were forced 10 look into the matter
more closely in order to express an in
telliRent opinion TO those who looked TO
Us for information as TO the real status
Of the case.
We early learned that the Governor
was making the mistake of setting up
his opinions, supported by his interested
councillors, against that OF the courts.
Still adhering to what we conceived 70
be our duty, we mildly counselled eau
the scheme until the suits already IN
court could be brought TO an issue and
trial, and the merits determined, 30
that the Governor could know just what
his powers were before jeopardiEing
the States money and credit.
IL seems that The Governor could not,
or would not, take that safe, II not the
only sensible course, but with his pecu-
liar filibustering bent, decided to pro-
coed with this gigantic undertaking
without any regard for the courts at ali.
This aroused the whole State to q
more critical investigation as TO what
was going on, and at last resulted in the
campaign that is now dstracting the
State. And unfortunately for Governor
BrowaTd, the opinion Is being formed
that there Is a syndicate Of land sharks
formed, who, "by ways that are dark
and tricks that are vain, have pushed
the Governor into methods that are, TO
say the least, very peculiar. After
passing the drainage BILL II was 30 APP
parently unconstitutional that they
framed a constitutional amendment
the peoples thrORts To make law en-.
acted two years before, a valid law
Do the lawyers In the Legislature, or
the members generally, know the mean
ing of retroactive action? Have they
ever heard Of any State that has passed
q code Of void laws and then made them
valid by making amendments to their
constitution Have they ever learned
the legal Interpretation Of void and
vOidable2 II there IL any Of them that
think they have, IL certainly IN here in
the State Of Florida, For nowhere else
10 such a thing possible. Even our
young school boys know the distinction
between constitutional powers and leg
islatlve powers, even II some old fly
blown jurist has said that 1.-THE cOnsti-
tuition provides 10 and so.
But there has been a horde Of useless
Offices and officers, with fat salaries an
nexed, that have influence. fixed up to
bleed the State We cant believe that
Governor BrOward has willingly walked
into the trap thus set for his unwary
feet. But be that IN It may, the masses
are looking to the incoming Legislature
to look into this unholy alliance who
now, though nesting IN Jacksonville.
have their hands upon the Governor,
and TO snatch him az "a brand from the
burning, and put brake on their
schemes until the question can again
be sent before the people. Co., Bradentown
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