The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1919-05-24
Harry Thompson, as Solici-
tor of the Escarnbia Court
of Record, Among Num-
Der Confirmed.
KEHOE'S DEFEAT
WAS BIG SURPRISE
Riparian Rights, General
Revenue and Other Bills
Are Acted Upon During
Days Grind of Law Mill.

Tallahassee, May 23.-In executive
session today the senate confirmed the
appointment of Harry Thompson to
the county soltcitorship of the court
of record in Escambia county: Judge
Dewitt Gray to be Judge of the civil
court of record in Duval county: Z.
W. Nelson to be county solicitor in
St. Johns county, for the unexpired
term of George w. Bassett, resigned;
H. w. Johnson to be harbormaster at
the port of st. Andrews for a term of
two years, beginning July S; George
A. T. Roberts, w. S. Kempt, GO.
Eveland Saunders, William Marshall,
and Alfonso Gomez to be pilot com
missioners at Key West for two years,
w. L. Mabry, L. w. Owens. r. p.
Medley, Charles Mahon and r. H.
Stone to be pilot commissioners at the
port OF st. Joe for two years
1t was a surprise here that Former
Congressman J. Walter Kehoe, who
has been at the capitol for several
days, was not named county solicitor
in Escambia county. 1t is understood
that at least one appointment made by
the governor was rejected by the SEN
ate, but the ban of secrecy was not
taken off this portion OF the executive
session proceedings.
Riparian Rights Bill Passes.
Having made 1t a special order,
Senator j. Turner Butler today ad-
vanced through second and third read
ing, passed and certified to the house
his riparian rights bill which vests
the titles of all lands on salt water be-
tween high and low tide marks in the
present owners.
The necessity for such a law to pass,
he said, grew out of the recent su-
preme court decisions in the Bricknell
and Chris Theisen cases in which it
was decided that under the conflict
ing sections 643 and 644 of the general
statutes all salt water riparian titles
were in the state. Vast properties in
Jacksonville. Tampa, Pensacola, Mi
ami, Daytona and in fact throughout
the state were affected by these de-
cisions. he said. and this law was to
clearify the old statutes and vest titles
in the people, who lawyers had always
understood We're the rightful owners.
Senators Carlton and Butler spoke for
the bill.
Senator Cash took his bill, amending
the law creating the state text book
commission from the middle of the
calendar and passed it under waiver
Of the rules.
The amendment was necessary on
account of increased cost Of produc-
ton OF books, and under the present
law some of the largest and best book
publishing concerns would be elinf-
mated from competition
The BILL as amended, provides that
books shall be sold to Florida chill
dren as cheaply as in other states and
will permit the county board of pub
lie instruction to buy text books at
Wholesale prices direct from pub
fishers.
The senate concurred in the house
amendment to the citrus canker bill
providing for control of the honey bee
mould. but will fight concurrence ia
the amendment placing box tax on ci--
rus fruit
The general revenue bill to provide
money for state purposes passed the
house at $50 o'clock Friday night.
Weaver, for the committee which pre-
pared it. said it was the best piece of
financial legislation the state had ever
passed. Futch, of Lake, declared ii
was the, greatest trouble maker the
state has ever known and predicted
that in few years men would be
running for legislature on a platform
of its repeal.
The vote was AZ to IS.
The main feature of the house ses-
sions today was the consideration and
passage of the general revenue btfl.
which makes radical changes in pres
ent laws for assessment and collection
of taxes Although the bill is credited
to the committee on finance anG tax
alton, it is understood to have ernan-
ated from the comptroller's office.
Practically with no opposition on the
floor, Senator Turnbulps bill providing
for college extension passed the house
today by vote of SS to 16.