The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1921-04-21
Comes Up in the Senate as Spe-
cial Order for COnsidera-
tOin Today.
SENATOR BUTLER GIVES
BRIEF HISTORY OF BILL
Opponents Declare State Will
Lose Millions by Its
Passage.
(sy JOHN c. TRlcE

TALLAHASSEE, April 20-Most of tC.
days session of the senate was taken I'd
in discussing the proposition to pass The
Butler riparian right bill Of last session
over Governor Cats veto. made after
the session had adjourned
Senator Butler, of Jacksonville in dis
cussng the bill, said its purpose was 10
make the law what attorneys and inter
sested persons had thought it vas since
1856
Senators Singletary and Lindsey fought
his proposition because they said il Would
nave the effect of giving away millions
of dollars worth of state sovereignty
lands. They oontended that the COVER
nors veto should he sustained avowins
thc%r willingness of this were done tc
sponsor a bill that would cure the sit
uation that has grown in many cases
where claimants of RIPARIAN rights have
improved their properties beyond the
highwater mark.
The veto with the bill of 1919 attach
ed was a special order for 1I:30 o'cloct,
today. Senator Butler gave a brief his
tory OF the bill which he said passed the
last session by practically unanimous
vote, only to be vetoed by the governur
after the session. He explained that thr
bin would confirm claimants of reparia.n
rights in ownership of the land between
tho high and low water line a right ne
said was granted by the United States
and han been thought to he existent In
this state for many years and under
which belief muca Improvement mad peeu
made in Jacksonville and other parts oi
the state.
Senator Singletary opposed the plan
saying he hoped the veto would be sus-
tanned and urging that if it were not
millions of dollars worth of state sover-
eighty land would change from state to
private ownership at once. He backed
up his claim by showing that the Initial
improvement board has sold 978 acres of
such land for a price in eXcesss Of $17S.-
900. Mr. Singletary said he did not de
sire to See any innocent person suffer
and would be willing to see a bill passed
confirming such persons in possession of
lands they might have acquired. but he
did not believe in a general bill that
would transfer all the states claims and
title.
Senator Malone said the principle of
riparian rights had been recognized by
the state and national governments and
that the Butler bill wo6ld operate 10 re-
move clouds from many property titles.
Senator Lindsey spoke in favor of sus-
tanning the veto saying many people ats
Jacksonville had filled in land beyand the
point they had title to and were now in a
bad fix. He would be willing he said. T.
pass a law confirming their title, but did
no twant to see the state relinquish its
title generally. He said the owners had
been given bad advice and that as q
Tallahassee was filled with
delegations OF Jacksonville lawyers who
were trying to make a law to fit their
advice, having found that their advice
by no means fitted the law.
The senate was in discussion of the
matter more than two hours without
coming to vote and it will abe the first
thing taken up Thursday.
The bin proposing an addition 10 the
capitol at cost not to exceed $3.50, 600
passed the senate. There were % votes
in favor. and but eight against. The
eight were Senators Bradshaw, Crosby.
Continued On Page Two)