The weekly true Democrat. (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1905-1912, 1906-04-06


recognized the obligation of the State
to drain and reclaim the land, and this
was affirmed by the Supreme Court of
the State of Florida, which held that
under the provisions Of the Internal
Improvement law Of this State, it is
the duty of the trustees of the fund to
make such arrangements for the drain
age OF the swamp and overlooked lands
as Is most advantageous to the fund.
The Trustees of the Internal Improve
ment Fund, appellants, VS.. William H.
Gleason, respndent, page 3S4, volume
10, Florida Reports.
Acting under and within the powers
granted to them, the trustees are pre-
pairing to drain and reclaim the land in
question, in so far as it is possible with
the resources remaining under their
control, and with the additional aid that
is expected hereafter from taxation in
the drainage district, the richest land
in the world will be open for the culti-
walton Of sugar cane, etc.
THE EXPENSES INCURRED,
In carrying out the purpose under
taken the trustees are now completing
two powerful dredges at Fort Lauder
dale, and in order that the public may
connection since January /, 1885, (up to
which time a printed report has been
made), will say that the following ex-
penditures have been made by the Trus-
tees of the Internal Improvement Fund
of the State of Florida, with the pro-
ceeds of the sale of swamp and over
flowed lands that were granted to the
State for the purpose of drainage and
reclamation, by the act Of Congress of
September %, 1850:
Expenses Of labor in constructing dreclRes
at Fort Lauderdale. including engineer
in charge, skilled workmen, lRbOrers.
inspection of material and incidentas
paid by the trustees from January LIST
TO March 18th, 1906. upon pay rolls GER
in charge .,----.,,-..., 8 As2s.O2
for lumber for dredges - 2.4s7.Os
freight on material for dredEeis -. 2.l6s.7s
Featherstone Foundry and Machine Com
panY, Of Chicago. for iron work for
Merrili.Stevens Company. Of Jackson. ''''-''O
vile. Fla. for iron work for dredges- 1908 n
Sl5,7sOsl
will say further that not one dollar
has been paid since January l, 1906, by
the trustees for past, present or future
services, or fees, to any attorney.
Yours truly,
w. M. MCINYosH, JR.,
Secretary Board Trustees of Internal
Improvement Fund, State of Florida.
The letter discloses a peculiar condi- !
ton of affairs. The Trustees Of the
Internal Improvement Fund and the
Drainage Commission are one and the
same set of State officials. Active OPP
erations for the reclamation of the |
Everglades were not commenced until
after the passage of the law constitut- !
ing the trustees Drainage Commission |
sioners had established the Everglades |
acreage benefit tax.
When these operations were COM
menced they were supposed and publicly |
to be undertaken by the |
newly created Drainage Commissioners |
Immediately, however, upon the insti- |
tuition of the injunction suit against the |
collection of the drainage tax, the |
Drainage Commissioners come into |
court and deny that they have anything |
10 do with the drainage operations, but |
throw all the burden on the trustees |
Mr.. Mcintosh, the secretary of the dual !
boards, simply restates the answer of
he Drainage Commissioners made TO
he Federal Court.
HAVE ONLY S32, 657.54 AVAILABLE.
The last report of the trustees. dated
January /, 1906, shows total expendi-
.ure in 1906 of 500, $3.50 %, of which the
tens are: $4S. 445.6 for Everglades
drainage operations, Sl2, 056 SO for liti-
cation, and S9,082 81 for other sundry
expenses. The balance on January !,
906, was $272, 272 IS, not including a
balance of $50, 1888. 20 in the Internal
Fund proper, which pre-
is not available for drainage
purposes. OF this sum of S272, 272 35,
he sum of 1929. 824 is tied up By the
louisville and Nashville Railway Com
,any injunction, leaving an available
balance of S48. 44S.35 with which 70
Train the Everglades Out of this bal
nee Mr.. Mcintosh reports that since
anuary LIST of this year up 10 the date
# his letter, March 18th, the trustees
ave expended the further sum Of $l5,-
go 81 in the furtherance Of the drain
ge operations, leaving a balance on
and on March 18th of 1872, 657. 81.
'ruly, a magnificent sum with which 70
ackle a small job like the drainage Of
he 5000, 900 acres contained in the
Everglades.
WHY MONEY is WANTED.
No wonder the trustees are appealing
o themselves as Drainage Commission
RS to collect the illegal drainage tax
" hook or by crook. This $32, 900 odd
annot last long. Monthly expenses
re heavy and must be met, The