The weekly true Democrat. (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1905-1912, 1906-06-29
CLARK'S EvERGLADE DRAINAGE
BILL.

BASSS 4AOlh bt!C oSSVAAu lOIlua ulSlElCIS
has introduced the bill of which the fol-
lowing is a copy in the national House
of Representatives, and purposes Using
every reasonable effort to secure its en-
actment into law:
H. R. 2O,O4S.
A bill providing for the use of $780,
600 of the money that would other
wise become part of the reclama-
ton fund for the drainage of GER
tain lands in the State of Florida,
and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House
Of Representative of the United States
of America in Congress assembled. That
SO, 900, 900 of the moneys hereafter aris-
ing from the sale of public lands, and
which, under the act of June II, 1902,
would otherwise become a part of the
reclamation fund, may be used for the
purpose of constructing a suitable and
comprehensive system of drainage of
the lands known as The Everglades,
in the State of Florida, under the SUI
pervision of the Secretary of Agricult-
ture: Provided, That all expense of
such construction, including salaries
and the maintenance of works for a pc
riod not exceeding ten years, shall be
assessed against the lands proposed to
be drained in proportion to benefits,
said assessments to be levied and the
money to be paid in not to exceed ten
annual installments, under such laws
and regulations duly enacted by the
Legislature of the State of Florida as,
in the judgment of the President of the
United States, shall be adequate to in
sure the repayment to the United States
of all moneys expended under the terms
of this act: Provided further, That all
moneys derived from such assessments
shall be paid into the Treasury of the
United States by the said State of Flor
ida, and when so paid shall be covered
into the reclamation fund to be used
under the provisions Of said act of June
II, 1902: And provided further, That
any money paid in by the said State of
Florida in excess of the total amount
paid out by the United States, when
the said works are completed, including
the maintenance of the works, shall be
to the said State of Florida.
Those who are opposing the drainage
boards expensive, arbitrary and i'm
practicable plan for the reclamation of
the State lands in the Everglades can
not fail to be pleased at the possibility |
hat the United States Congress may
De induced to take charge of the enter
prise, furnish the large amount of
money which everyone now knows will |
De needed for securing the requisite ac-
,urate and scientific information, and |
hen, if the project is deemed feasible
Ind expedient, conduct the work on
carefully prepared and scientific plans,
hus removing from the arena of State
politics most vexatious and disturbing
question of State policy, needlessly in
ected into public notice by self-ap-
pointed and dangerous advisers of the
present administration.
The bill, as will be seen, carries an |,
appropriation of SO, OOO, 900, provides for
he assessment of the cost Of reclama-
ion against the lands thereby benefited
whether they belong to the State or
0 Individually, and requires the State
nd such owners to pay the same TO the
United States in annual instalments
nder regulations 20 be prescribed by
he Florida Legislature with the ap,
roval of the President
Untilt the actual passage and approval
{ Mr.. Clark bill, or its failure to be-
ONE a law, the project of draining the
Everglades may we'll be suspended In
he meantime. it's introduction and pen
ancy affords still another strong and
Xcellent reason for the decisive defeat
f the proposed drainage amendment to
he Constitution, which, if adopted will (
x upon the people of the State ire ;
ocably and in perpetuity a crude, arbi-
rary and dangerous public policy, ut ,
eriy inadequate for the accomplish
lent Of its alleged purpose, and in
diving so much of gross injustice to
Innocent individual taxpayers as to con-
emn it in the estimation of all self ,
and fair-minded citizens
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A barkeeper in Jacksonville shot at a
egro Wednesday night for refusing to
ay for three bottles of beer. That {
ian is a barkeeper 'after our own /
cart, " except he is a little slow with .
is gun. What we want and need in =,
mis- country is barkeepers who will pull
heir gun and 90 TO shooting lust as the I