The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1908-12-11
The Triumph
of Governor Broward.

OF GOVcT1OT bIOWdIQ.
It is instructive to the 2hilosophic
observer OF human events and of the
evolution of human AFFAIRS TO look
back over Florida history for three
or four years past since big, steadfast.
honest and conscientious Governor
Broward first tackled the Everglades
proposition. and note the changed at
1itude of public opinion on that issue.
When the governor frst said that
he would drain the Everglades, or at
least make such start in that d.
rection as would prove its feasibility
and assure the success OF the enter
prise before his term of Office ex-
pired. ne was laughed TO scorl by
many, treated with respectful incred-
ulity by others and bitterly antagon-
lied by few supposed 10 represent
corporate interests that might suffer
harm IL the 'glades were redeemed In
the manner proposed. Not very
many gave actual sympathy and co.
operation to the governor, but he Isl
a man not easily discouraged when
he is convinced that he is right. and
he went ahead under difficulties that
would have daunted a weaker man.
AS a matter OF fact, very few of
sither the people or papers in the state
had any expert knowledge on the sub
Iect when Broward brought it to the
front as an issue not to be avoided
aalthough he had). and the result
was an immense volume OF raw, crude,
Sogmatic talk about it that had no
Real value.
That was public opinion in a state
pf fermentation.
But expert knowledge soon COM
menced to shed light and MEANWHILE
The governor. ignoring the Widespread
sary legislation, had the dredges
built and put them to work to actually
Drain the Everglades.
That work, heretofore fully describ-
ed in The, journal and other state
papers, has been an entire success.
The Everglades have been in part al
ready drained, and some of the re-
claimed land has been sold at good
prices by the state. and viii be at
once put into cultivation. Another
siredge has been built and put into
commission, and the great work Of
drainage is now steadily progressing
under conditions which leave no
doubt of its ultimate success within
a comparatively short time.
This will mean the reclamation of
now worthless. which under cultiva-
ton viii not only produce all kinds
of truck products without limit, but
win make the Everglades the largest
and richest area for the production
of cane sugar anywhere on this con-
tinent. Put it all in sugar and it win
bring into Florida nearly one hundred
million dollars annually for that
staple.
But more than this, the canals now
being cut, VITA their lateral canals,
will give cheap transportation for all
that part OF the state, and when the
system is complete, in connection
with the old D1ston canal, II VIII give
rs waterway across the state OF
Florida for light draft vessels.
AS sqe have before said, the drain
agc Of the Everglades is now an as
surCd success without expense to the
people of the state. and If Governor
Broward had done nothing else, this
great achievement or incalculable
value. TO this and future generations
would entitle him to rank in even
larger relation to Florida than Dewitt
Clinton, the father Of the Erie canal,
does to New York.
Our people are now convinced that
Broward was right all the way through
when he commended thar the Ever
glades could be drained and made
great and permanent asset in the
wealth OF our state, and whatever is
needed to complete the work should
De cheerfully done.