The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1906-09-14
DRAIN THE EVERGLADES.
A Strong Appeal from Settlers in The
Drainage Districts in Desoto and
Lee Counties

CaloOsahatchee river and its trlDu
Itaries, and own land and farms within
! lIhe drainage district, naturally feel 9
, deep interest in the reclamation OF
Jour lands, do most earnestly appeal tC
1.-The Trustees of the Internatl Improve
lment Fund, to the drainage commits
! Isioners, the legislature and to every
voter in the state of Florida, to aid in
every possible way, the plans adopted
lby the drainage commission to GARRY
tout the great drainage scheme. We
make this appeal because our lands
are often overlooked, damaging our
crops, our fruit trees, our grazing,
which is very detrimental TO the pro-
Igress and development of our country.
We make this appeal because we un-
derstand that it is contemplated by
the drainage commission to perma-
nently lower Lake Okeechobee, which
lake with its twelve hundred square
miles in area is the main source of
our trouble, and we know that our
lands cannot be relieved from over
40 wunless that great fountain head
(Lake Okeechobee) so near US, is per-
manently lowered some six or eight
feet. We mako this appeal because
we don't believe that the people of
our state understand our true situa-
ton and that is they knew the stu
alton down here where drainage is
so much needed they would gladly en-
courage the adoption of any reason
able measure to relieve the situation
which exists.
We make this appeal because we
know that is the appeal is favorably
received no harm can possibly come tc
any part of the state, but universal
good, but more especially to those of
living within the drainage district.
What has been done so far we heatily
endorse. We are delighted to learn
that work is now being done. One
powerful dredge now cutting canal
on bee line from the head of New
River in Dade County, to Lake Okee-
chobee, and that another is soon to
follow. We have the utmost conf
dence in our governor and the
trustees, and believe that unless pre-
vented by some forces which are con-
fronting these officials the work will
be consummated as soon as possible
We feel very grateful to our legisla-
tors for the passage of law contem-
plating the work now going on, but
exceedingly regret that the law re-
ferred to has met such violent oppo-
|sition, so much so that its main fea-
ture, that providing for a tax upon the
lands to be benefited was submitted
to United States court and estopued
by that court. We believe that the
law is an equitable one and should
be sustained and its provisions strict
ly carried out.
While we are poor men, we do not
object to this tax feature. The larger
and more wealthy land owners seem
to be opposed to this tax and the ones
who object to paying it, while they
are certainly more able to pay this
tax than we are, and should be forced
to do so. We find also that the legis-
Flature in the interest of drainage
passed resolution to amend our or
ganic law, to be voted upon in our No
vember election. We will vote for
that resolution, and we appeal to ev-
cry man in the state to do the same.
This amendment as we understand it,
will clear the way for action and sue
cessful drainage operations. We real
iez the fact that the drainage and re-
clamation of our swamp lands is a
large and expensive undertaking and
our officials should be clothed with
plenty of power These officials are
men holding the highest power with
in the gift of the people. and certainly
can be trusted with their duties. Let
us by all means give it to them. The
number of acres of land we own is
set opposite our names and the county
we live in. and will show that we do
not belong to that class of big land
owners and land monopolists. We
are common laboring men, farmers,
fruit and vegetable growers, stock
raisers, merchants and mechanics,
and as such we assert our perogatives
and appeal to the integrity and inteli-
gence of the whole state to join us in
sustaining the great drainage scheme.
Most respectfully submitted,
F. A. Hendree. SzV; Goodno,
4,0O0; w. T. Hull, 230; +. T. Dean, 5;
/. E. Buser, S3S; S. E. Ward, 10; h.
q. Hand, 30: F. G. Miller. 20; L. NJ.
Patterson, 100; o. H. Miller, "A; B.
A. Miller, 81; w. r. Cason, so; Ed