The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1911-05-05
TALLAHASSEE

The founders of our state made no
mistake in locating the seat of gov
eminent at Tallahassee. Our capital
city lays no claims to yawning
chasms or mounatin grandeur, but her
eternal hills. stretching as far as the
eye can reach, present most pleas
ing and delightful picture, especially
at this season of the year, when her
vines, flowers and giant oaks are clad
in the garments of spring.
Every natural prospect pleases. 1t
is only where man, in his puny efforts,
has failed to keep in touch and har-
mony with the surroundings, that the
picture is marred.
We were taken for an automobile
ride around the city and out into the
country for a distance of several
miles. There were those in our party
who had resided in Canada, England
and New England, and they enthusi-
astically exclaimed that never in their
lives before had they ever beheld such
beautiful and charming country.
The citizens of Tallahassee, in COM
mon with the people of the whole
state, are seized with the spirit of
progress and Improvement, are awak-
ening from their long sleep. and are
putting themselves in touch with all
modern conditions.
Splendid granolithic sidewalks are
being laid down; arrangements are
being made to pave the principal
streets with vitrifed brick. to lay
down sewers and make other public
improvements to meet the demands of
modern life.
Already the city owns its electric
light plant and water works and brags
on it's fire department.
The Woman's Club and the Elks are
laying the foundations for handsome
buildings.
The city has recently erected a high
oGlOOl OOAIO1Al5 NOSl1AA5 OPh oil I'D OA AOA
ty thousand dollars and the state col
lege for women is a grand structure,
costing scarcely less than 100000.
The auditorium has a seating capacity
of 1900, and the college, under the
able management of DR.. Conrad. is
making a reputation that means much
Co.. f,.&,. 0f
The first nights session of the State
Press Association was held in the au-
ditorium of the Womans College, and
afterwards a reception was given by
the ladies of Tallahassee. which was
very splendid affair. The governor,
other official dignitaries and many
prominent women, were in the receiv-
ing line. The governor was attired in
full dress, and looked the handsome
man that he is.
1t gives us pleasure to say in this
connection that Governor Gilchrist is
making an ideal chief magistrate. He
has kept inviolate every ante election
promise and has violated no obliga-
ton. He says that he has reached the
summit of his ambition, and is not US
ing the office of governor as a step
ping stone to other things.
The executive mansion is a most
creditable building, and the grounds
are now being beautified. Driveways,
walks, flowers and shrubbery are be-
ing planned and will soon be in evil
dence, and will add very much to the
looks of the building. An iron fence
has already been erected, the en-
| frances to which having been planned
something after the style of the gates
to the entrance of the Ancient City.
They are made of massive concrete.
During the session of the legisla-
ture the governor is keeping open
have four to break bread with him at
the noon hour. During the sixty days
he will have had every member of the
legislature and every visitor of prom
inence to the city with him. He has
a seven course dinner at which his
mother. with the elegance of the ante
bellum days. makes the governors
visitors feel very much at home AL
though nearing the limitations of four
score and ten she presents a picture
of grace and activity which is most
charming. 1t matters not with the
governor whether a man voted for or
against him. he is made welcome at
the mansion. and the latchstring
hangs on the outside and bounteous
hospitality on the inside. The visit
ors are shown through the building
and are shown quite a collection of
bric-a-brac which the governor COL
lected while a soldier in Cuba and
visitor in Europe. Mexico California
and elsewhere.
He has had all the cartoons framed
that have been made of him since his
entrance into public life, and friends