The weekly true Democrat. (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1905-1912, 1906-03-30
JUST EXACTLY WHAT WE THINK.

we nave never IiOhklSt aiu DIlll liilh
ourselves utterly unable to believe, that
the Florida Everglades can be drained
in any conceivable manner, by any COM
bination Of capital, one individual or by
the State Of Florida, that will prove re-
munerative with remuneration depend
ant solely upon the ownership or sale Of
the lands thus redeemed.
We do not in the least believe that If
every dollar Of all John d. Rockefeller's
hundreds Of millions were spent in that
hopeless undertaking, that region Of
pestilential swamp could be rendered
habitable TO anything less animal and
more human than an Indian or aliga-
tor do not believe that drainage opera
ted upon any scale, however gigantic,
can overcome the summertime floods
that invariably overflow all that region,
producing intOlerable insect life and
malaria sufficient and virulent enough
10 depopulate the city Of London in spite
Of all the drugs ever labeled.
Now, we admire firm, JacksOnian de-
termination in any cause that is just, in
any undertaking that is beyond perad-
venture conducive 10 the welfare of all
concerned but, we do not admire blind,
unrcasoning Obstinacy in any form or
fashion. Therefore, we would think it
simply an act Of wisdom on the part of
Governor BrOWard and the !. /. Board
to rest on their drainage oars, suspend
operations, until the coming primary is
held, the sentiments Of its Legislative
nominees expressed and the will Of the
people thus made manifest and plain
10 all
High courts have rendered adverse
opinions, restraining injunctions have
been issued and many who were one
time advocates Of this drainage scheme
have changed in opinion and now ask
for "A suspension, if no more There
fore, we can only surmsc can merely
employ suppOsltion based circumstan-
stantial evidence to account for this
housekeeping, beadIong Everg
march This being the case, we are
constrained TO believe, very unwillingly
that Governor Broward fears loss Of
political strength, a sacrifice of pride
on the newspaper altar or a combna-
ton Of both
Now, it is absolutely nothing TO US as
part and parcel Of States free press,
and we have neither the time nor desire
TO investigate the pros and cons, merits
and dement's Of the Broward versus
Times Union Metropolis squabble-
whether the editors of those pubica-
tions cast votes for his election or dirt
at his name, wcpt on his neck or struck
dirks in his back; nor do we care a
shriveled pcayune how many drainage
nops and mbidextrous somersaults the
Timcs-Union may have executed in the
balmy days Of yore. We would be glad
to see our honored Chief Executive rise
superior to all such personal considera-
tons.
As to our status in this and in every
other matter, the Almighty placed a
head on our shoulders and told US to use
the mOdicum Of gray matter therein ac-
cording TO the dictates of the conscience
placed at our disposal, regardless of
any mans manner Of thought; and our
pen ~ guided only by reasons wisdom
and 1.-THE lamp of experience Just AS
we expect and demand justice for our
selves and anticipate nothing but blame
for misdceds, we will announce in print
our opinion as TO the wisdom or foolish
ness of official policy and we are here
and stationary to say that the terra fir
ma mancuvers OF the Florida !. l. Board
fail to gain our approval or applause.
When we behold in any Legislative or
official act anything that smacks Of the
presence and fine Italian hand of that
sutlimely honest and chcrubmical pa
triot, w. S. jennings, then the atmos-
phcre at once becomes saturated with
the aroma of burning sulphur suggest
i've Of birthstone majesty and slick pro
cccdings With broad field capable Of
yielding a bountiful harvest Of graft,
and tricksters in the immediate back
ground nimble and ready we confess
to severe attack Of suspicion.
But, Ito err ia human. and we still
hclive Mr.. Broward's intentions are
good. that he believes drainage affairs