The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-04-01
THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE Tallahassee Ready For Lawmakers ALL FACTIONS GETTING BUSY Broward to Lead Determined Fight
 on Lobbyists. From Present Indications, it Seems that Matthews win Be Chosen Speaker and pr. west, Senate
 President.
 
BY J. Fl. REESE.


 Tallahassee, Fla, March 31.--(Spe- cial l)-The capital of Florida Is in that fever of excitement which always pre- cedes the convening of the Legislature.
 Tallahassee is, of course, more in- tensely interested in this event than any other city in the world. but there really appears to be no substantial rea- son for the high-strung importance that accompanies the session. This may be accounted for by the intense ness of feeling for and against the legislation that is certain to be con- sidered. The selection of the Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate will be determined in caucus Monday night, and it means much to the contending factions as to who the successful candidates are.
 But little. if any change has taken place in the political feeling on this subject during the past week. It is now currently believed that Eugene Mathews will be the next Speaker and that Dr. Theop. West of Jackson will be President of the Senate. In the event that the caucus results in this way, the corporations will be satisfied with the Speaker and dissatisfied with the President of the Senate, for the candidate of the corporations is Hon. Hunt Harris of Key West for President of the Senate.
 J. Pope Reese of Pensacola is said to be missing an opportunity if he cares anything for his political future in not making an active fight for the Speak ership. He is tied to no faction and could be an independent and, 1t is thought by many. make winning race.
 Reese's Friends at Loss.
 While permitting the use of his name. MT Reese has never once avowed his Willingness to become candidate, and his friends are at a loss as to how they shall proceed. It is probable, therefore, that Mir. Reese will not be the next Speaker. unless his tactics should change materially within the next day or two.
 In response to the announcement made in these columns that he would run for Governor of Florida in the next race, Gen. Albert W. Gilchrist has announced through his official organ at Punta Gorda that while he is wealthy that he does not purpose to purchase the off, flee of Governor; that he is willing to spend a matter of $20,000 to be elected, but that he Isn't in the business of buying public office. These cogitations of the prospective candidate for the Governors chair are worthy of consid- eration.
 Numerous candidates are mentioned for Govefnor, but of the many men, lloneu there can be but few, not more than one or two, who can afford to make the race. The last race for the Governorship In Florida placed the of- flee beyond the reach of a poor man. That is what some persons say, yet the present Governor won the race, and he Is poor man. He went down to tho verge of bankruptcy to do it, but he won. and this fact should offer encour- agement to the aspirants who are not loaded down to earth with the goods thereof.
 Officials Not Wealthy.
 Some time ago travelling news paper correspondent passed through Tallahassee, spent a day and sent his paper letter purporting to deal with the men and conditions in Florida. This writer said that all of Florida's s State house officials were wealthy men. This was interesting news to the State house officials. The fact of the matter