A Journal of the proceedings of the Assembly of the State of Florida, at its ... session

PROCEEDINGS

Of the Assembly of the State of Florida at the First Session of
the Legislature, under the Constitution, formed pursuant to
the Act to provide a more efficient Government for the sev-
eral States lately engaged in a rebellion against the United
States, and the several Acts amendatory thereof, begun and
held at the Capitol in the City of Tllahassee, in the State of
Florida, 0on monday, the 8th dy of Jne, A. D. one thousand
eight hundred anzd sixty-eight, being the day fced by the Con-
stitution of the State of Florida for the meeting of the Leg-
islature.

The Assembly was called to order at 12 o'clock, M., by
Greene of Manatee.
Mr. Butler moved that the Hon. YWilliam WT. Moore of
lumbia be requested to take the Chair forthe purpose of orn
izing the Assembly;
Which was agreed to.
On motion of MTr. Butler of Santa Rosa, Dr. William F.
num of Suwannee was requested to act as Clerk.
SThe roll of counties being called, the following -members
peared and presented their credentiaLs of election :
Alachua-H. S. Harmon.
Bradford-F. N. B. Oliver.
Columbia-William W. Moore.
Dade-I. Hall.
Gadsden-M. L. Stearns and Fred. Hill.
Hern"ndo-Samuel J. Pearce.
Holmes-Thomas H. Pittman,
Jackson-Jesse Robinson, E. Fortune, and James McMil
Jefferson-J. W. Powell, Anthony Mills, and Benja

Thompson.
La Fayette-James W. Keene.
Liberty-Washington Bradwell.
Manatee-James D. Greene.
Marion-E. J. Harris and John Simpson
Putnam-O. E. Austin.
Santa Rosa-J. W. Butler.
Sumter-J. A. Lee.
Volusia-W-V B. Watsoi,

Mr.

Co-
)'ai-r

By-

ap-

lan.
min

7 vi

4

On motion, the following members came forward and were,
severally sworn in by Sherman Conant, Commissioner U. S-
Court:
Messrs. Austin, Butler, Bradwell, Fortune, Greene, Hall,
Harman, Harris, Hill, Keene Lee, MMillaf Mills, Moore, Oli-
ver, Pearce, Pittman, Powell, Robinson, Simpson, Stearns,
Thompson, and Watson.
There being no quorum present, on motion of Mr. Austin, the
Assembly adjourned until to-morrow, and proceeded to the Su-
preme Court Room to attend the inauguration of the Govern-or
elect.
At 3 o'clock P. M., Harrison Reed, Governor elect, appeared.
and took the oath of office, which was administered by his
Honor Judge Boynton, of the U. S. Court for the Southern Dis-
trict of Florida, and delivered the following

INAIGURAL ADDRESS.

Fellow Citizens of f17orida,: In entering upon- the high trust
which your partiality has conferred, in-deference to time honor-
ed custom it becomes my duty to briefly indicate the policy of
my administration fa Chief Magis.trate of the State.
In November, Il80, the constitutional rights of the people of
Florida were subverted nd s civil government was overthrown.
Since then the State has been without a constitutional govern-
ment and subject to military law.
In March, 1867, the Conress of the United States, in obedi-
ence to its obligation to "guarantee to every Sta- e a. Republican
form of government," prepared a plan by which the State could
regain its forfeited rights and its people be re-stored to the ben-
efits of cons.istitutional government.
Under this plan, you have framed a government which we are
here to-day to ina :uurate and -reare to m:Ie cictive. You
have forme d and adopted a Constitution bsed nuon the oreat
theory of American government, that all mn are by nat,''efree
andd endod with equal rights. You have laid deep and broad
the foundations of the State upon the principle of universal free-
dom.
Bred to freedom and under Republican institutions ; believing
slavery an unmitigated curse, as well as a violation of human
rights-a moral, political, and physical evil, wherever tolerated,
I most cordially congratulate you that it no longer exists to
blight the fair heritage which God has 'iven us here, and that
the Constitution which you have adopted contains no germ of
despotism to generate future discord.
I congratulate you also that no spirit of malevolence or bitter-
ness, growing out of the wrongs and conflicts of the past, has

"I)een suffered to mar your organic law, but that in a spirit of
magnanimity and forbearance worthy of the highest commenda-
tion, those who have forfeited their citizenship are welcomed
. back to the benefits and privileges of the government upon the
.sole condition of fealty and adherence to the Constitution and
laws.
Amid the ruins of a government embodying antagonistic prin-
ciples, you have laid the foundations of a government ensuring
harmony, stability, security, and peace. The conflicting ele-
ments and interests of the past may now all unite in a homoge-
neous system, all yielding obedience to a common law, which
respects alike the interests of all. Time alone can heal the so-
cial disorders and dissensions created by the disruption of soci-
ety and the radical chanage in the system of government conse-
quent upon the war. We will patiently await ts mollifying in-
fluences, interposing no obstacles to a speedy restoration.
All classes of society and all the interests of the State demand
peace and good government, and if the spirit of our Constitution
is appreciated and reciprocated, every citizen may realize these
advantages, .and the State may arise from its prostrate condition
to a measure of prosperity unknown in thl past, and become
one of the brightest luminaries in the galaxy of our glorious
U union.
Fellow Citizens I accept the .high responsibility of the Chief
Maogistracy under your new Constitution, believing firmly in its
principles, and unqualifiedly endorsing its policy and that of the
Congress under whose clemency we are permittted to inaugurate
anew a civil ,overmenit for the State. I enter upon this high
trust with the firm purose of executing the laws in the spirit of
liberlity in whih they iare conceived, and in view of the high-
est interests of the State and the people. Relying upon your
loyalty and patriotism, aindI the favor and guidance of that Di-
vine Power which s ways the destinies of all, I shall do. what
within me lies to render effective the Government, and to com-
mand for it the respect and obedience of all classes of our citi-
zens.

TUESDAY, June 9, 1868.
The Assembly met pursuant to adjournment.
The roll being called, the following members answered to their
names:
Messrs. Austin, Butler, Bradwell, Fortune, Greene of Manatee,
Hall, Hill, Keene, Lee, McMillan, Mills, Moore, Oliver, Pearce,
Pittman, RPobinson, Simpson, Stearns, Thompson, and Watson.
No quorum present.

6

On motion of Mr, Pearce, the following members presented
their credentials and were sworn by Sherman Conant, Commis-
sioner U. S. Court :
From Baker-T. J. Greene.
Calhoun-J. B. Stone.
cColumbia-Auburn Erwin,
Alachua-Joseph T. Walls.
Levy-Washington Rodgers.
"Leon-Robert Livingston.
Madison-G. W. Bogue and Alfred Osgood.
Washington-E. P. Melvin.
"On motion of Mr. Erwin, the roll was called, and the follow-
ing members answered to their names:
Messrs. Austin, Bradwell, Butler, Bogue, Erwin, Fortune,
Greene of Baker, Greene of Manatee, Hall, Harman, Harris, Hill,
Keene, Lee, Livingston, McMillan, Melv n, Moore, Mills, Oliver,
Osgood, Pearce, Pittman, Powell, Robinson, Rodgers, Simpson,
Stearns, Stone, Thompson, Walls, and Watson-32.
A quorum present.
On motion of Mr. Stearns the rules of the last House of Rep-
resentatives were adopted for the government of the Assembly
for the present,
On motion of Mr. Austin, the Assembly proceeded to the elec-
tion of Speaker.
Mr. Butler nominated Hon. WV. W. Moore of Columbia,
There being no other nomination, on motion of Mr. Greene of
Manatee the Hon. WV. W. Moore was declared duly elected
Speaker by acclamation.
The Assembly proceeded to the election of Chief Clerk.
Mr. Butler nominated Dr. William Forsyth Bynum of Su-
wannee county.
There being no other nomination, on motion of Mr. Austin
Dr. Bynum was elected by acclamation.
Mr. Greene of Manatee offered the following resolution:
Resolved, That the Chief Clerk appoint two Assistant Clerks;
Which was adopted.
On motion of Mr. E--tler, the following gentlemen were nom-
inated as officers, to wit :
Sergeant-at-Arms-Edward Barker of.Alachua.
Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms-James Toer of Leon.
Door-keeper-J ohn Wyatt of Wakulla.
Chaplain--John C. Gibbs of Duval.
Pages-S. A. Trent, Louis Townsend, Philip DeCorsey, and
Harry Crews;
Who were elected by acclamation.
On motion of Mr. Stearns, the Speaker was authorized to ap-
point the other necessary clerks.

A-.

On motion, the several officers of the Assembly were sworn
by the Speaker.
In pursuance of a resolution adopted by the Assembly, the
Chief Clerk appointed John W. Tornkins of Columbia, First
Assistant Clerk, who was sworn by the Speaker.
Mr. Pearce moved that a committee of three be appointed to
inform the Senate that the Assembly is now organized and
ready to proceed to business;
Which was agreed to, and Messrs. Pearce, Stearns, and Aus-
tin were appointed said committee; who, after a brief absence,
reported that they had performed the duty assigned them, and
were discharged.
A committee from the Senate appeared at the bar and in-
formed the Assembly that the Senate was organized and ready
to proceed to business.
Mr. Butler moved that a committee be appointed to act with
a similar committee appointed by the Senate to-wait upon his
Excellency Harrison Reed, and inform him that the Senate and
Assembly were organized and ready to receive any communica-
tion he may be pleased to make ;
Which was agreed to, and Messrs. Butler, Bogue, and Walls
were appointed said committee.
The committee reported that they had performed their duty,
and that the Governor would communicate, in writing, imme-
diately, and were discharged.
The following message was received from the Governor and
ordered to be spread upon the Journal:
EXECUTIVE OFFICE,
TALLAHASSEE, Florida, June 9th, 1868.
Gentlemen of th&e Senate and the Assembly :
You are assembled under the provisions and in obedience to
the requisitions of the Constitution of the State, adopted in ac-
cordance with the acts of Congress.
Until admitted to Iepresentation upon the floor of Congress,
your acts will be merely provisional.
I therefore recommend that no action be taken save such as is
dictated by the acts of Congress as conditions precedent to ad-
mission, to wit: The passage of the proposed amendment to the
Constitution, known as the Fourteenth Article, and the election
of United States Senators-unless it be to ratify the Thirteenth
Article, already adopted, your assent to which I respectfully ad-
vise.
After we shall have been recognized by Congress in the ad-
mission of our Representatives, I shall communicate more at
length upon the general interests of the State.
IHARnISON REED,

Also the following communication :
EXECUTIVE OFFICE,
TALLAHASSEE, June 9th, 1868.
To the Hon.. W. W. MOORE, Speaker of the Assembly:
I have the honor to transmit herewith, copies of telegrams,
with endorsement, furnished me by Colonel Flint, commanding
this military post. Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
HIARRISON REED.

[ A TRUE COPY.
June 8th, 1868.
Brig. Gen. I. C. Duns Assistant Adjutant General Third Mil-
itary District, Atlanta, Georgia:
The Governor and members of Legislature elect are here.
They desire that the oath of office be administered to the Gov-
ernor, and that the Legislature assemble for business. Shall
this be permitted ? Full instructions for my guidance requested
at once.
(Signed) F.F. FLINT,
Lieut. Col. 7th Infahtry, Comd'g.
Official:
F. M I. KENDRICK,
Lieut. 7th U. S. Infantry, Post Adjutant.

ATLANTA, June 8th, 1868.
To Col F. F. F LINT, U. S. A.:
Telegram of this date relative to Governor and members of
Legislature received.
Commanding General will not recognize the Governor and
Legislature elected at recent election, until further advice by
Congress.
You will not permit the action stated in your telegram.
R. C. DRUM.
Official:
F. M. H. KENDRICK,
Lieut. 7th U. S. Infantry, Post Adjutant.
Received at Tallahassee June 8, 5 P. M.;
Which was read, and ordered to be spread upon the Journals
with the accompanying documents.
A committee from the Senate appeared at the bar and in-
formed the Assembly that the Senate had passed a resolution

9

adopting the amendments to the Constitution of the United
States known as Articles 13 and 14.
Mr. Stearns offered t4ie following resolution:
Resolved, That, two-thirds of the Assembly concurring, the
rule established by Section 15, Article IV, of the Constitution of
the State of Florida, be dispensed with, and that the Senate res-
olution adopting the 13th and 14th amendments to the Consti-
tution of the United States be read the first and second times
by its title;
Which was adopted, and the resolution read as ordered.
The rule being waived, on motion of Mr. Stearns the resolu-
tion was read the third time and put upon its passage.
The vote was:
Yeas--Mr. Speaker, Messrs. Austin, Bogue, Butler, Erwin,
Fortune, Greene of Manatee, Hall, Harman, Harris, Keene, Lee,
Livingston, McMillan, Mills, Osgood, Pearce, Robinson, Rodgers,
Simpson, Stearns, Thompson, and Walls-23.
Nays-Messrs. Bradwell, Melvin, Oliver, Pittman, Stone, and
Watson-6.
So the resolution passed, receiving two-thirds of the whole
number voting.
On motion, a committee consisting of Messrs. Butler, Stone,
and Harman, were appointed to wait upon the Senate, and in-
form them of the action of the Assembly.
After a brief absence, the committee returned, reported that
they had performed their duty, and were discharged.
A committee from the Senate appeared at the bar and inform-
ed the Assembly that the Senate had passed a resolution re-
questing the President of the Senate and Speaker of the Assem-
bly to notify Congress of the adoption by this Legislature of the
amendments to the Constitution of the United States, known as
Articles 13th and 14th.
On motion of Mr. Stearns, the rule was waived, and the above
resolution was read the first and second time by its title.
On motion of Mr. Butler, the resolution was read the third
time and put upon its passage;
Upon which the vote was:
Yeas-Mr. Speaker, Messrs. Bogue, Bradwell, Butler, Erwin,
Fortune, Greene of Manatee, Hall, Harman, Harris, Keene, Lee,
Livingston, McMillan, Mills, Osgood, Pearce, Pittman, Robin-
son, Rodg2ers, Simpson, Stearns, Thompson, and Walls-25.
Nays-Messrs. iMelvin, Oliver, Stone, and Watson-4.
So the resolution passed.
A committee from the Senate appeared at the bar and notified
the Assembly that the Senate had passed a resolution requesting
the Superintendent of Registration to furnish a complete return

10

of the late election to the President of the Senate and Speaker
of the Assembly.
On motion of Mr. Fortune, the rule was waived and the reso-
lution read the first and second time by its title.
On motion of Mr. Harris, the rule was waived and the resolu-
tion read the third time and put upon its passage;
Upon which the vote was:
Yeas-Mr. Speaker, Messrs. Austin, Butler, Bogue, Bradwell,
Erwin, Fortune, Greene of Baker, Greene of Manatee, Hall, Har-
man, Harris, Keene, Lee, Livingston, McMillan, Mills, Osgood,
Pearce, Pittman, Robinson, Rogers, Simpson, Stearns, Stone,
Thompson, Watson, and WValls-28.
Nays-Messrs. Melvin and Oliver-2.
So the resolution passed.
On motion of Mr. Pearce, the following committee was ap-
pointed to adopt rules for the government of the Assembly:
Messrs. Pearce, Austin, Walls, McMillan, and Stearns.
On motion, the following committee was appointed on Privi-
leges and Elections:
Messrs. J. W. Butler, E. Fortune, G. W..Bogue, John McAuley,
and E. J. Harris.
Mr. Stearns offered the following resolution:
Resolved by the ee nte and Assembly of the State qf Florida,,
That when this Legislature adjourn, it adjourn until Monday, 12
o'clock M., the 15th inst.
Which was read the first time, rule waived, read the second
and third times by its title, and put upon its passage;
Upon, which the vote was:
Yeas-Mr. Speaker, Messrs. Austin, Bogue, Bradwell, Butler,
Erwin, Fortune, Greene of Manatee, Hall, HJarnman, Harris,
Keene, Lee, Livingston, McMillan, Melvin, Mills, Oliver, Osgood,
Pearce, Pittman, Robinson, Rodgers, Simpson, Stearns, Stone,
Thompson, Walls, and Watson-29.
Nays-None.
So the resolution passed.
On motion, a committee of three was appointed, consisting of
Messrs. Stearns, Walls, and Harris, to convey said resolution
to the Senate.
After a brief absence, the committee returned, reported that
they had performed their duty, and were discharged.
On motion, the Assembly adjourned until next Monday, 15th
inst.

I i

MONDAY5, June 15th, 1868,

'The. Assembly met pursuant to adjournment.
Th0e Hon. Speaker in the Clhir
The roll being ca-lled the following) members answered to
their names:
Mr. Speaker, Messrs. Austin, BogIue, Bradwell, Butler, For-
tune, G"reene of BaIker, Greene of Manateo- HIal, -I-arman, Har-
ris, Keene, Lee, Livin4ston, Melvin, MiiOs,- Oliver, Osgood,
Pearce, Pittman, Riobinson, i-odgers, Simp,)son, Stone, Thomp-
son, Walls, and Watson-36
'taot a quorum I 'present.
On motion of Mr. Butler the follow. members came forward
and were sworn by the Speaker:
Messrs. Bostick, Cheshire, o, Crce, Grahal HIodes, Mc-
Auley, McKinnon, Moore, Pns., Scott, Stewart, Urquhart,
Yarnum, and Wells.
Prayer by t he ev. Mr. Gibbs.
The roll KbeiI again called, the folowing members answered
to their names :
Mr. Speaker, Mssrs. Austin, B u, 3t, ti Br]adwell, Butler,
"Cheshire, CoxI, Crce, Erwin, Irtue, Graiham, Greene of B3a-
ker, Greene of iManatee, hall, arman, harris, Hoodges, Keene
Lee, Livingston, -cAr y, CcKinnon, Melvin- Mills, Moore,
SOliver, Osgood, Pearce, Pittman, Pons, Robinson, dodgers ,
Scott, Simpson, Stewart, Stone, Thompson, Urquhart, Varnm,
Walls, Waton, ad Wells-43.
A quorum present.
On mot-ion, te reading of the journals of last Monday and
Tuesday were dispensed with.
The following resolution was offered by Mr. WNalls:
Resolved, That His Excellency Governor H-arrison Reed, and
members of his cabinet, be invited to seats within the bar of this
Assembly, at such times as they may deem proper to honor this
body with their presence;
Which was adopted.
Also the following:
Resolved, That the members and correspondents of the press
be provided with seats and desks within the bar of the Assem-
bly;
Which was adopted.
Also the following:
_Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed by the
Speaker of this Assembly to wait upon the commanding officer
of the post of Tallahassee, and request from him the loan of
A. flag to be used for the decoration of this Hall;
2

/

Which was adopted, and Messrs. WYall, Bogue, and Erwinr
appointed said committee.
Also the following:
Resolved, That the regular hours of meeting of this Assem-
bly be 10 o'clock A. M., and 4 o'clock P. M.;
Which was adopted.
The committee appointed to adopt rules for the government
of the Assembly, reported a set of rules;
Which were read.
Mr. Butler moved that the report of the Committee on Rules
shall be received, printed, and laid on the desk of every menm-
ber before its final adoption;
Which was agreed to.
Mr. Butler offered the following resolution:
Resolved, That the Committee on Rules be instructed to act
with a similar committee on the part of the Senate, and report
joint rules;
Which was adopted.
Mr. Walls offered a resolution relative to the election of
Printer for the Assembly;
Which was read.
Pending which, on motion of Mr. Hodges, the Assembly ad-
journed until to-morrow morning.

TUESDIAY, June 16th, 1868,

The Assembly met pursuant to adjournment.
The roll being called, the following members answered to
their names :
Mr. Speaker, Messrs. Austin, Bogue, Bradwell, Butler, Chesh-
ire, Cruce, Erwin, Fortune, Hall, Harman, Harris, Keene, Lee,
Livingston, McAuley, McKinnon, Melvin, Moore, Oliver, Os-
good, Pearce, Pittman, Pons, Powell, Robinson, Rodgers, Simp-
son, Stewart, Stone, Thompson, Urquhart,Varnum, Walls, Wat-
son, and White.
A quorum present.
Prayer by the Rev. Mr. Gibbs.
In pursuance of a resolution adopted by the Assembly the Chief
Clerk appointed Thomas Y. Maxwell, of Leon, Second Assistant
Clerk, who was sworn by the Speaker.
On motion, the Assembly took a recess until half past eleven
o'clock A. M,

13

11 O'CLOCK, A. M.

"The Assembly resumed its session.
A quorum present.
On motion of Mr. Pearce the reading of the journals of yes-
terday was dispensed with.
On motion of Mr. Austin, Mr. White, member elect from
'Clay County, came forward and was sworn by the Speaker.
Rule waived.
Mr. Butler offered the following resolution :
Resolved That the Assembly do now proceed to the election
of a United States Senator, to fill a vacahey in that body from
this State for the term ending March 3d, 873.
Which was adopted.
The Speaker announced that nominations were in order.
Mr. Butler nominated Col. T. W. Osborn.
Mr. Bradwell nominated Hon. William Mlarvin.
Mr. Pearce nominated Hon. 0 B Hart.
The vote was:
For Marvin-Messrs. Bradwiell, Bostick, Cheshire, McAuley,
McKinnon, Melvin, Moore, Oliver, Pittman, Stewart, Stone, and
Watson-12.
For Hart-Messrs. Cruce, Greene of Baker, Greene of Mana-
tee, Hall, Harris, Hodges, Keene, Lee, Pearce, Powell, Rogers,
Scott, and Trquhart-13.
For Osborn-Mr. Speaker, Messrs. Austin, Bogue, Butler,
Erwin, Fortune, Harman, McMullin, Mills, Osgood, Pons, Rob-
inson, Simpson, Stearns, Thompson, Varnum, Walls, and

White-18.
Neither of the candidates having received a majority, the
Speaker announced that there was no election.
The rule being waived, Mr. Austin offered the following
resolution:
Resolved, That the Assembly now proceed to an election of
United States Senator from this State to fill a vacancy which
now exists, for the tern ending March 3d, 1869.
Which was adopted.
The Speaker announced that nominations were in order.
Mr. Fortune nominated 0. B. Hart.
Mr. Wells nominated Samuel Walker.
Mr. Harris nominated T. W. Osborn.
iMr. McKinnon nominated Mr. Wright, of Pensacola.
Mr. Scott nominated S. Welch.
The vote was:
"For Walker-Messrs. Cox, Graham, Greene of Manatee, Hall,
and Wells-5.

.

f4

for Osborn-Mr. Speaker, Me.ssrs. Cruce, Harris, Keeine.,
Pearce, Powell, and Trquhart-7.
For WTright-Messrs. iradwell, Bostick, Cheshire, McAuley,
MecKinnonI, Melvin,. lMoore, Oliver, Pittman, Steart, Stone, and
Watson-13.
For .Hart-Messrs. Erwin, Fortune, Greene of Baler, Mc
Mullin, Osgood, Pons, Robinson, Rogers, Simp7on, Stearns,
Thompson, and .arnum-12.
For Welch-Messrs. Austini, Boue,. Butler, Harman, Hodges,
Lee, Mills, Scott, Walls, and Wite1
No election.
On motion the Assembly took a. recess *itil this afternoon.

FOUR O'CLOCK, P. M.

The Assembly resumed its session.
A quorum present.
Rule waived, Mr. Mills offered the following resolution:
Resolved, That Samuel James be appointed Messenger of the
Assembly;
Which was read and adopted.
The following resolution offered by Mr. Walls on yesterday,
pending which the House adorned, was read the second time:
Resolved, That Edward M,. Cheney be and he is hereby elect-
ed Printer for the Assembly, subject to such rules and reogula-
tions as the Committee on P'rinti g may prescribe.
Mr. McKinnon offered the following substitute:
-Resolved, That the printing of this Assemibly be let out to the
lowest bidder, anid Messrs.. Varnum, -Mc Aley, an:d Hal, be ap-
pointed a committee to rece.ie bids, and repul t on Friday, the
19th inst., such bids as may have been ade to th:em, after
which time there shall be no other bids received, and the Assem-
bly shall then declare which bidder shall be printer ; which the
Assembly refused to adopt.
Rule waived, and the original resolution re ad the third time
and put upon its passage.
The vote was:
Yeas-Mr. Speaker, Messrs. Austin, Butler, Erwin, Graham,
Harman, Hodges, Keene, Lee, Livingston, MilI, Osgood, I'lon
Powell, Robinson, Rodgers, Scott, Simpson, Thompson, ails,
Wells, and White-22.
Nays-Messrs. Bradwell, Bostwick, Chehire, Cox.,! Cr1ce,
Greene, of Manatee, Hall, Harris, McAuley, icL- nonn, Mciul-
len, Melvin, Moore, Oliver, FPtt.man, Stewart, Stone, Urquhart,
Varnum andi Watson---20,

So the resolution pased.
"Rule waived, Mr. Harman oiered the lowing resolution :
!Resolved, That 0. 8. Arm.strong be the Postmaster of thi
Assembly; that A. E. L Iewlet and Harry HawT.,i be em-
ployed to keep tIhe Assembl lean; that R.. Black be the
Assistant. Doorkeepier, and that Thontas Ianey be. eiiloved
as carpenter.

,Rule waived, Ar. -Bitler ofibred lle blowing^ resolution:
-i

I rill, rlet
Resolved, That, eaci member o-f ,, Assembly 0be requested'
ttothrnsh to the Clerk his name and post-o'ice address.
WVhich was adopted.
Rule waived.
Mr.h. Walls offered the followingr resolution :
Ilcsolved^ That the Commanding Olcfer of the Military Post
of Tallahassee e e invitCed to a seat within the bar of this body
and that a copy, of this resolution be trans itted to him by the
Secretary of the Assembly.
VWhich was adopted.
On motion of Mr. Austin, Mr. N. C. Dennett, Chairman of
the State Executive Comi*tte,e was invited to a seat within the
bar during the present session.
Rule waived.
Mr. Oliver offered the foilownh resolution :
1Wesolced, That the 1ergeant-at-Arns be authorized to fur-
nish stationery for the use of the A., sseblv, and to have the
Assembly clock put i1n order.
.1 1
Which was adopted.
A communication addressed t tthe Speaker relative to con-
testing a seat in the Assembly from the county of St. Johns
was read, and on motio-n retired to Committee on Privileges
and Elections.
Senate Joint Resolution reativ' e to procuring a Sta.te Seal.was
read first time.
Rule waived.
Read second and third time by its title, and put upon its
passage.
The vote was :
Yeas-Mr. Speaker, Messrs. Austin, Bogue, Bradwell, Bos-
tick, Butler, Cheshire, Cox, Cruce, Erwin, Fortune, Graham,,
Greene of Baker, Greene of Manatee, Hall, Harman, Harris,
Hodges, Keene, Lee, Livingston, McAuley, McKinnon, Mc-
Mulhn, Melvin, Mills, Moore, Oliver, Osgood, Pearce, Pittman,
Pons, Powell, Robinson, Rodgers, Scott, Simpson, Stearns,
Stewart, Stone, Thlompson, Urcquhart, Varnum, Walls, Watson,
Wells, and White-4 7.
So the resolution passed.

I i

On motion, the. Assembly a*ourned until to-morrow.

WEDNESDAY, June 17th. 1868.

The Assembly met pursuant to adjournment.
A quorum present.
The R .ev. J. (Gibbs officiated as Chaplain.
On motion of Mr. Greene, the reading of yesterday's proceed-
ingOs was dispelced with.
Mr. McKinnon offered the following resolution:
Resolved, Tlhat the Seroeant-at-Arms be required to report
to this Assembly all deliIquenc( y of messengers, door-keepers,
and pages;
VWhich was adopted.
The rule being- waived, Mr. White moved a reconsideration
of the vote taken on yesterday on a resolution relative to se-
lecting a printer;
Upon which motion the yeas and nays were called for by
Messrs. Greene of Manatee and Stewart.
The vote was:
Yeas-Messrs. Bradwell, Bostick, Cheshire, Cox, Cruce, Gra-
ham, Greene of Manatee, Hial., H.arris, Lee, McAuley, MeKin-
non, Melvin, Moore, Oliver, Pearce, Pittman, Rodgers, Stewart,
Stone, Urquhart, Watson, and White-23.
Nays-Mir. Speaker, Messrs. Austin, Bogue, Butler, Erwin,
Fortune, Greene of Baker, Ilarman, HoIdges, Keene, Living-
ston, MeMullin, Mills, Osgood, Pons, Powel, Robinson, Scott
Simpson, Stearns, Thompson, Varnum, Walls, and Wells-24.
So the motion was lost.
A message was received from the Senate informing the Assem-
bly that the Senate would be ready at 12 o'clock, M., to go into
the election of U. S. Senators.
On motion of Mr. Butler, the Chief Clerk was requested to
inform the Senate that the Assembly was ready to proceed to the
election of U. S. Senators.
12 o'clock, Mf., the Senate entered the Assembly, and the Presi-
dent, by invitation of the Speaker, took the Chair.
The roll being called, the following members answered to their
names :
Mr. Speaker, Messrs. Austin, Bogue, Bradwell, Bostick, But-
ler, Cheshire, Cox, Cruce, Erwin, Fortune, Graham, Greene of
Baker, Greene of Manatee, Hall, Harman, Harris, Hill, Hodges,
Keene, Lee, Livihgston, McAuley, McKinnon, McMullin, Mel-
vin, Mills, Moore, Oliver, Osgood, Pearce, Pittman, Pons, Pow-
ell, Robinson, Rodgers, Scott, Simpson, Stearns, Stewart, Stone

I t

Thompson, Urquhart, Varnum, -Walls:, 'Watson, Wells, and
White-48.
*A quorum present.
The Senate proceedings of yesterday were read.
Yesterday's proceedings of the Assemblv were also read.
Mr. Knight moved that the joint me-eting do now proceed to
the election of a U. S. Senator for thterm expiring March 4th,
1873.
The vote was:
SENATE.

For T.' W. Osborn, 8; Hart, 7 ; Marvin, 5.

ASSEMBLY.

For T. W. Osborn-Mr. Speaker, Messrs. Austin, Bogoe,
Butler, Cruce, Fortune, Harman, Hill e, Keene, McMullin, Mills,
Moore, Osgood, Pons, Powell, Robinson, Simpson, Stearns,
Thompson, Urquhart, Varnum, Walls, and White-23.
For Wm. Marvin-Messrs. Bradwell, 3Bostick, Cheshire, Er-
win, McAuley, McKinnon, Oliver, Pittman, Stewart, Stone, and
Wells-11.
For 0. B. Hart-MIessrs. Cox, Gr1aham, Greene of Baker,
Greene of Manatee, Hall, Harris, Hodges, Lee, Livingston,
Pearce, Rodgers, Scott, and Wells-13.
Senate. Assembly. Total.
Hart, 7 13 20
Osborn, 8 23 31
Marvin, 5 11 16
The President announced that there was no election, neither
of the candidates having received the constitutional majority.
On motion of Mr. Knight, the Joint Meeting proceeded to a
second ballot.
The vote was:
SENATE.

For Osborn, 8; Hart, 7; Marvin, 5.

HOUSE.

For T. W. Osborn-Mr. Speaker, Messrs. Austin, Bogue,
Butler, Erwin, Fortune, Harman, Hill, Keene, McMullin, Mills,
Moore, Osgood, Pons, Powell, Robinson, Simpson, Stearns,
Thompson, Urquhart, Varnum, Walls, and White-23.
For O. B. Hart-Messrs. Cox, Cruce, Graham, Greene of
Baker, Greene of Manatee, Hall, Harris, Hodges, Lee, Living-
ston, Pearce; Rodgers, Scott, and Wells-14.

* s

For William Marvin-Messrs. Bradel, Bostick, Cheshire
McAuley, McKiniion, Mlvin, Oliver, Pittmian, Stewart, Stone,
1and Watson-11.

1Hart, 7 14 21
Osborn, < 23 31
Marvin, .5 I 1 10
N either of tIhe can dates haing received( the constitutional
maiiijority, the President aiinnoncd that tat there xtas no election.
On motion of Mr. Goss, the joint Jmeeting- proceeded to the
election of United States Senator for the term endino- March
4th, 1869.
The vote was:
SENkAT

For Osborn 1; fori Wfrigh, 5 ; for Pearce, 1; for Welch, 13

For lWelch-IIMessrs. Austin, BoPIe, Cox, Cruce, Erwin, For-
tune, Grahamn, (3reene of Mianatee, Harman, Harris, Hill,
Hodges, Lee, Livingston, McMuin, i, Mills, Osgood, Pons, Rob-
inson, Scott, Simpson, Stea(rs, Thoipson, Yarnmn Walls,
Wells, and White--27.
For WVright-Messrs. Bradwell, Bostick, Cheshire, McAuley,
McKinnon, Melvi, Moore, Oliver, Pittman, Stewairt, Stone, and
Watson-12.
For Hart-Mr. Speaker, Messrs. Butler, Greene of Baker,
Hall, Keene, and Urquhart-6.
For Osborn-M essrs. Pearce and lodg'ers-2.
For Pearce-Mr. Powell-1.
Senate. AsseImbly. Total.
Welch, 13 27 40
Wright, 5 12 17
Hart, -- 6
Osborn, 1 2 3
Pearce, 1 1 2
Mr. Welch, having received the constitutional majority, was
declared duly elected United States Senator to fill the term end-
ing March 4th, 1869.
On a motion that the joint meeting adjourn, the yeas and
nays were called for by Messrs. McCaskill and Knight.
The vote was:
SEN ATE.
Yeas, 11; nays, 9.

19

ASSEMBLY.

Yeas-Messrs. Bradwell, Bostick, Cheshire, Cox, Giaham,
Greene of Baker, Greene of Manatee, Hall, Harris, Lee, Living-
ston, McAuley, McKinnon, Melvin, Moore, Oliver, Pearce,
Pittman, Powell, Rodgers, Stewart, Stone, Urquhart, and Wat-
son-24.
N ays-Mr. Speaker, Messrs. Austin, Bogue, Butler, Cruce,
Erwin, Fortune, Harman, Hill, Hodges, Keene, McMullin, Mills,
Osgood, Pons, Robinson, Simpson, Stearns, Thompson, Var-
num, Wells, and White-22.
Senate. Assembly. Total.

"-

Yeas, 11 24
Nays, 9 22
The Joint Assembly adjourned.
Onmotion, the Assembly adjourned until] 11 A. M.
row.

35
31

to-mor-

THURSDAY, June 18th, 186I ,
"The Assembly met pursuant to adjournment.
A quorum present.
The Rev. J. C. Gibbs officiated as Chaplain.
On motion of Mr. Stone, the reading of yesterday's proceed-
ings was dispensed with.
Mr. Oliver moved that the member elect from Franklin
county, who was present, come forward and be sworn.
Pending which, on motion of Mr. Walls, the Assembly took
a recess until 12 o'clock, M.

12 O'CLOCK, M.
The Assembly resumed its session.
A quorum present.
On motion, Mr. George P. Raney, member elect from the
county of Franklin, came forward and was sworn by the Speaker.
Mr. John M. Hawks was sworn as Engrossing Clerk of the
Assembly, and LHarry Ford was sworn as Enrolling Clerk.
The rule being waived, Mr. McKinnon offered the following
resolution:
Resolved, That 0. B. Armstrong, being the Post Master of
the Senate, act in the same capacity in this Assembly; and
3

20

That the Sergeant-at-Arms be requested to furnish ice for the
use of the Assembly, through the session, at the lowest price;
Which was adopted.
The rule being waived, Mr. Melvin offered the follio'in
resolution :
Resolved, That the Sergeant-at-Arms be authorized to furnish
one dozen new chairs for the use of the Assembly;
Which was adopted.
A message was received from the Senate informing the As-
sembly that the Senate was ready to proceed to the election of
a United States Senator for the term ending March 4th, 1873.
On motion of Mr. McKinnon, the Chief Clerk of the Assembly
was requested to inform the Senate that the Assembly was
ready to proceed to the election of United States Senator.
The Senate entered the Hall, and the President of the Senate,
by invitation of the Speaker, took the Chair.
On motion of Mr. Goss, the joint meeting proceeded to the
election of United States Senator to fill the vacancy now exist-
ing, to expire on March 4th, 1873.
The President ordered that each member would nominate
'iva vocc his candidate for the United States Senator for the
term now vacant, ending March 4th, 1873.
The vote was:

SENATE.
For T. W. Osborn, 14 ; for Wm. Marvin, 6.

ASSEMBLY.
For T. W. Osborn-Mr. Speaker, Messrs. Austin, Bogue,
Butler, Cox, Cruce, Erwin, Fortune, Graham, Greene of Baker,
Greene of Manatee, Hall, Harman, Harris, Hill, Hodges, Keene,
Lee, Livingston, McMillin, Mills, Moore, Osgood, Pearce, Pons,
Powell, Robinson, Rogers, Scott, Simpson, Stearns, Thompson,
Urquhart, Varnum, nWalls, Wells, and White-37.
For William Marvin-Messrs. Bostick, Bradwell, Cheshire,
McAuley, McKinnon, Melvin, Oliver, Pittman, Raney, Stewart,
Stone, and Watson-12.
Senate. Assembly. Total.
T. W. Osborn, 14 37 51

William Marvin, 6 12 18
Mr. T. W. Osborn having received the constitutional majority,
was declared duly elected United States Senator to fill the term
ending March 4th, 1873.
Mr. Purman, of the Third District, offered the following:
Resolved, That the joint meeting now proceed, under and by
virtue of the provisions of the Act of Congress of July 12th,
& I

1866, to the election of a United States Senator for the long
term, beginning March 4th, A. D. 1869.
Mr. Goss, of the 19th District, moved to lay the resolution on
the table. *
Pending which, the joint meeting adjourned.
On motion, the Assembly adjourned until this afternoon,

4 O'CLOCK, P. M.

The Assembly resumed its session.
A quorum present.
The Speaker announced the following
for the Assembly:

Standing

Committees

STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE ASSEMBLY.

Committee o Judiciary.

STEARNS,
OLIVER,

HODGES.

RANEY,
FORTUNE,

On Privileges and Elections.

BUTLER,
HARRIS,

McAULEY.

FORTUNE,
BOGUE,

On Bills on
URQUHART,
CRUCE,

ROBINSON.

MOORE.
OSGOOD,

On Engrossed Bills.

WATSON,
KEENE,

SCOTT.

Messrs.

On Federal Relations.
GREENE, of Manatee, McKINNON,
LIVINGSTON.

On State of Commonwealth.

Messrs. PEARCE,

PONS.

On Propositions and
Messrs. HALL,
COX,

BOSTICK,

Grievances.
MELVIN,

AMessrs.

Messrs.

Messrs.

Third Reading.

Messrs.

McMILLAN,
HILL,

4

eREENE, of Manatee,

On 'Indian Afairs.
G
SIMPSON.

On Finance and Public Accounts.

Messrs. AUSTIN,

EPIRW1YIN.

BRADWELL,

On Taxation and Revenue.

Messrs. HARRIS,

Messrs. STONE,

CHiESHIRE.
On Agriculture.

STEWART.

THOMPSONI

BOSTICK,

Messrs.

Messrs.

BUTLER,

LEE.,

POWELL.
On Claims.

OLIVER.

HA;SRMk9AN5

GRAHAM,

Messrs.

VARNNUM,

Messrs. PEARCE,

On Corporations.
DUNHAM,
MILLS.
On Education.
McKINNON,
HARMAN.

On Printing.

Messrs. AUSTIN,

WALLS.

PITTMAN,

On Public Institutions.

Messrs.

AUSTIN,

RANEY,
LIVINGSTON.

On Internal Improvement.

Messrs.

Messrs.

VARNUM,

STEARNS,
WELLS.
On Public -Lands.

GREENE, of Manatee,
SIMPSON.

BRADWELL,

Messrs. WH]

On Commerce and Navigation.
[TE, DUNHAM,
FILER.

Messrs. FILER,
0 7

On motion of Mr. MeKinnon one hundred copies were ordered
to be printed for the use of the Assembly.
Rule being waived, Mr. Raney introduced a resolution rela-
tive to adjournment, which the Assembly refused to adopt..
Rule being waived, Mr. Butler introduced a resolution rela-
tive to electing United States Senator on to-morrow.
Pending which, on motion, the Assembly adjourned until to-
morrow morning.

FRIDAY, June 19th, 1868,
The Assembly met pursuant to adjournment.
A quorum present.
The Rev. J. C. Gibbs officiated as Chaplain.
On motion of Mr. Greene, the reading of yesterday's proceed-
ings was dispensed with.
Resolution offered by Mr. Butler, yesterday, pending which
the Assembly adjourned, was taken up, read and adopted.
Ordered that the same be certified to the Senate.
Mr. Erwin offered the following resolution:
Resolved, That W. H. Black be appointed Assistant Door-
keeper, and A. R. Hewlett be appointed Clerk on Printing;
Which was read, and on motion indefinitely postponed.
Mr. Pearce offered the following resolution:
Resolved, That this Assembly stand adjourned until the 30th
inst., the Senate concurring in the same ;
Which was read.
Mr. McKinnon offered the following substitute:
.Resolved, That this Assembly, the Senate concurring, adjourn
at 4 o'clock, Friday, 19th of June, subject to the call of .the
Governor;
Which was lost.
The Assembly refused to adopt the original resolution.
Mr. Stearns offered the following resolution:
Resolvd by the Senate and Assembly of the State of Florida,
in General Assembly convened, That the Legislature on ad-
journment to-day stand adjourned until 12 M., Tuesday, the
30th inst ;
Which was read, and on motion laid on the table.
The following was offered by Mr. Raney:
Resolved, That the Assembly adjourn at 4 o'clock P. M. to-
day, until the 2d Monday in July, 1868, at 12 o'clock M.;
Which was read.
Mr. Butler offered the following substitute :

Resolved, That the Assembly adjourn from day to day, nntil
the State of Florida is legally admitted into the UTnion;
Which was adopted, and ordered that the Senate be informed
of the same.
A" message was received from the Senate informing the Assem-
bly that the resolution relative to electing United States Senator
to-day, was adopted by the Senate.
A message was received from the Senate informing the As-
sembly that the Senate has refused to concur in Assembly reso-
lution relative to adjournment.
The Committee on Privileges and Elections beg leave to

REPORT:
That they have carefully and impartially examined the
claims of Mr. George S. Greeno to a seat in this body as the
member rightfully and lawfully elected by the qualified voters
of St. Johns county.
They find that Fatio Dunham, returned as elected to this
body as member from St. Johns county, did receive a majority
of votes cast in said county by the qualified voters thereof.
But your committee have also before them substantial and
sufficient evidence of the fact that said Dunham, in the year
1858, or thereabouts, held the office and served as a Lieutenant
in the military service of the United States, in the Indian war,
in Capt. Mickler's company, and that subsequently, during the
late rebellion, the said Dunham served in the Confederate army,
engaged in the rebellion, and gave aid and comfort to the ene-
mies of the United States.
Your committee are satisfied by the most competent and in-
controvertible testimony of these facts, which are not denied
by Mr. Dunham himself.
Your committee hold that, under the Constitution of the State,
this Assembly, as a co-ordinate branch of the Legislature, is
invested with inherent powers to judge of the elections, qualifica-
tions and returns of its own members, and therefore are of the
opinion that under the Reconstruction Acts of Congreas, provi-
ding for the late election, that said Dunham was disqualified
from registration, and consequently ineligible to office.
The said Acts of Congress are clear and explicit. The spirit
and intention of the law was to exclude all persons who held
any kind of an office whatsoever, executive, judicial or legisla-
tive, under the State or General Govennm nt, and afterwards
engaged in the rebellion. The fact of tak ng the oath to sup-
Port the Constitution of the United States did not affect the
disqualification. Your committee, endeavoring to discharge

I

4

their duty justly to all persons, and at the same time consistent
with the law, are compelled to report against Mr. Dunham.
In ie of ti claims of Mr. Greeno, your committee hold
"th.7 t stimony before them, it was a notorious fact,
"ko: m y of the voters of St. Johns county, that said Dun-
h.a:, : i .igible, and according to the usages in all such
c^' ," -; :rson receiving the next highest number of votes is
en: t, o :s seat, The votes for ineligible candidates are
throw: Y:ay in such cases, and the opposing candidates elected,
wor t electors know, or are presumedto know, the disability.
ISe :sh 's Law and Practice of Legislative Assemblies.)
"_o0-, committee therefore report the following resolutions :
_I:ss: ed, That Fatio Dunham, of St. Johns county, is not
;: titled to his seat, for the reasons and causes stated in the re-
pcrort of the Committee on Elections.
REesolved, That Mr. George S. Greeno, having received the
next highest number of votes, is hereby declared entitled to his
,eat as the member from St. Johns county.
-----, Chairman.
Jonx W. BUTLER.
GEO. W. BOGUE.
E. FORTUNE.
Which was read.
Mr. Harris offered the following minority report:
Hatihot acted with the Committee in examining the papers
Relative to the seat of Fatio Dunham, in the Assembly, con-
tested by George S. Greeno, and we agree with the majority
report as regards the ineligibility of Mr. Dunham to his seat
in this Assembly, but would respectfully beg that the vacancy
be filled by election by the legal voters of St. Johns county,
and recommend the adoption of the following resolution:
_RBsolded, That the seat of Fatio Dunham, returned as a mem-
ber elect from Sf. Johns county, be and the same is hereby de-
clared vacant, and that said vacancy be filled by election by
the legal voters of St. Johns county, at such time as the Gov-
ernor may order.
Very respectfully submitted,
E. J. HARRIS.
JNO. McAiLEY.

Which was read, and the accompanying resolutions placed
among the orders of the day, pending which the Assembly took
a recess until 10 minutes before 12 o'clock, M.

10 MINUTES BEFORE 12 (O'CLOCK, II.
The Assembly resumed its session.
A quorum present.
Rule being waived, Mr. Hodges moved that none but mem-
bers of the Senate and Assembly be admitted within th- bar
while voting for United States Senator;
Which was agreed to.
On motion cf. Mr. McKinnon, the report of Committee on
Privileges and Elections was passed over informally for the
present.
A message was received from the Senate informing the Assem-
bly that the Senate was ready to proceed to the election of Uni-
ted States Senator for the term to commence 4th day of March,
1869.
On motion of Mr. McKinnon, the Chief Clerk was requested
to inform the Senate that the Assembly was ready to proceed
to the election of United States Senator.
At 12 o'clock, M., the Senate entered the Hall, and by invita-
tion of the Speaker, the President of the Senate took the Chair.
On motion, the joint meeting proceeded to the election of
United States Senator for the term to commence 4th March, 1869.
The vote was:
SENATE.
For Mr. Gilbert, 15; for Mr. Wright, 5.

ASSEMBLY.
For Mr. Gilbert-Mr. Speaker, Messrs. Austin, Bogue, Butler,
Cox, Cruce, Erwin, Fortune, Graham, Greene of Baker, Greene
of Manatee, Hall, Harman, Harris, Hodges, Keene, Lee, Living-
ston, McMillin, Mills, Osgood, Pons, Powell, Robinson, Rogers,
Scott, Simpson, Thompson, Urquhart, Varnum, Walls, Wells,
and White-33.
For Mr. Wright-Messrs. Bostick, Bradwell, Cheshire, Mc-
Auley, McKinnon, Melvin, Moore, Oliver, Pittman, Raney,
Stewart, Stone, and Watson-13.
For Mr. Welch-Messrs. Hill, Pearce, and Stearns-3.
Senate. Assembly Total.
For Gilbert, 15 33 48
For Wright, 5 13 18
For Welch, 3 3
Mr. Gilbert having received the constitutional majority, was
declared duly elected United States Senator to fill the term
commencing 4th March, 1869.
On motion, the joint meeting adjourned.
Rule being waived, on motion of Mr. Butler a committee con-

a

27

sisting of Messrs. Butler, Harris, Osgood, and Erwin, was ap-
pointed to wait upon His Excellency the Governor, and inquire
if he las any communication to make to the Assembly.
After a brief absence, the committee report ad and were dis-
charged.
Rule being waived, Mr. Raney oflfred the following resolmio n:
Resolved by the People of Florida in Legislature assembled,
That a commit tee be appointed by this Assembly to confer with
a similar committee to be appointed by the Senate in regard to
the time of adjournment and subsequent meeting of the Lcgisla-
ture of Florida, and that the said committee report its action
at its earliest convenience;
Which was adopted, and Messrs. Haney, Harris, and Mills
appointc.l a committee on the part of the Assembly.
The Senate informed the Assembly that they lhad concurred
in Assembly resolution in reference to the appointment of joint
committee in reference to adjournment.
The committee on the part of the Assembly, after a brief ab-
sence, reported the following joint resolution:
Resolved by the People of the State of Florida .in Leislat'ure
eonvened, That the Legislature do not adjourn, but that the
members who desire leave of absence be granted the same, not
exceeding beyond the 7th day of July, A. D. 1868
Which rwas read and adopted.
Ordered that the Senate be informed of the same.
A message was received from the Senate informing the Assem-
bly that they had adopted Assembly resolution relative to ad-
journment.
On motion, the Assembly took a recess until 4 o'clock, P. M.

4 O'CLOCK P. M.

Thel AsseLmbl resumed its session.
A quorun present.
Leave of absence was granted. to the following members and
officers by the Speaker :
Mr. Speaker, Messrs. Pons, Robert Cox, Thos. Urquhart, T.
W. Robinson, Thos. H. Pittman, A. Mills, E. P. Melvin, J. P.
Powell, W. B. White, H. S. Harman, D. L.- McKinnon, J. T.
Walls, A. Cheshire, John McAuley, Stone, McMillin, W. B.
Watson, G. W. Bogue, A. Erwin, G. W. Bostick, J. W. Tomp-
kins, Crews, Hill, Keene, Stearns, Wells, Oliver, Osgood, Ra-
ney, and W. P. Bynum.
4

28

On motion, 1Mr. Austin, of Putnam, was elected Speaker pro
tern.
On motion, the Assembly adjourned until next Tuesday, 12
o'clock, M.

TUES]DAY, June 23, 186 S.

The Assembly met pursuant to adjournment.
The roll was called and the following members answered to
their names :
Mr. Speaker, Messrs. Butler, Greene of Manatee, Harman,
Hodges, Lee, Rogers, Scott, Simpson, Varnum, and Wells--11.
So there was not a quorum present.
On motion of Mr. Butler of Santa Rosa, Messrs. Frederick Fi-
ler, member elect from Monroe County, and Thomas, DeLaney,
member elect from the County of Nassau, came forward and
were sworn by the Speaker.
On motion of Mr. Butler of Santa Rosa, tihe Assembly ad-
journed until to-morrow.

WEDNESDAY, J1une 24th, 1868.
The Assembly met pursuant to aUdj1ournment.
The roll was called, and the following members answered to
their names :
Mr. Speaker, Messrs. Butler, Cox, DeLaney, -Filor, Greene of
Manatee, Hodges, Livingston, Moore, Rodgers, Scott, Simpson,
and Wells-13.
So there was not a quorum present.
On motion of Mr. Butler of Santa Rosa, Mr. Wells of Leon,
was excused from attendance on the Assembly until the 6th
July next.
On motion of Mr. Butler of Santa Rosa, the Assembly ad-
journed until to-morrow at 10 o'clock, A. M.

THURSDAY, June 25th, 1868.

The Assembly met pursuant to adjournment.
The roll was called, and the following members answered to
their names:
Mr. Speaker, Messrs. Butler, DeLaney, Erwin, Filor, Graham,

29

Greene of Manate%, Harmafh, Harris, Hodges, Moore, Pons,
Rodgers, Scott, Simpson, Varnum, and Walls--17.
So there was not a quorum present.
On motion, the Assemtbly adiournedl until to-morrow.

FRIDT)AY, June 20th, 16.

The Assembivy met pursuant to a(l.iurnment.
iThe roll was called :n the tfoI-owin m-iembier's answered to
their names:
Mr. Speaker, Messrs. Butler, )DeLantey, Erwin, Filer, Graham,
Greene of Manatee, IHartui, iHaris, Hodges. IMoore, Pons,
'aney, R'dgers, Scott, Simpson, Yarnum, and Y-)lls-1(.

O,-n, motion, tM'e Assell a'1 r1.1 ti to- TW.

'le A embly met pursuant to :;jiurinent.
T4ie roll was failed, and th' fIjOlllinc members answeredV to
their names :
Mr. Speaker, Messrs. Butler, DeLtney, Erwin, Filor, Graham,
Greeine of Manatee, Harman, HaIrris, Hodges, McKinnon, oore,
Pons, Ral.ney, Rodgers, Scott, Simpson, Yarnum, and WIells-19.
So there wa not a quorum 'presIent.
On motion, the Assembly :ijourned until Monday morning
"at 10 o'clock, A. M.

MONDAY, June 29th, If-J.

The Assembly met 1pursuatnt to :.aidjounment.
The roll was called, :and the follow ing, meImbers answered to
their names: f
Mr. Speaker, Messrs. !hitler, Cox, DeLaney, Iilor, Greene o,
Manatee, Harman, Harris Hodges, Lee, Livingston, McKinnon
Moore, Rtaney, Rodgers, Scott, Simpson, and Yarnulm- 8.
So there was not a quorum present.
On motion, the Assembly adjourned until to-morrow.

30

STUESDAY, Jurie 30th, 1868.

The Assembly met pursuant to adjournment.
The roll was called, and the following members answered to
their names:
Mr. Speaker, Messrs. Butler, Cox, DeLaney, Filer, Greene of
Manatee, Harman, Harris, Hodges, Lee, Livingston, McKinnon,
Moore, 1anteyv, Rodgers, Scott, Simlupson, and Varnum -l .
So there was not a quorum present.
On) motion, the Assemrbly adjourned lutil to-morrow.

WED)NESl)AY, July 1st, 1868.

The Assembly met pursuant to adjournment.
The roll was called, and the following members answered to
their names :
Mr. Speaker, Messrs. Butler, Cox, DeLaney, Filerl, Greene of
Maiatee, Harnan Harris, Hodges, Lee, Livingston, McKinnon,
MAoore, Raney, Rodgers, Scott, Simpsonll YarnI 1 and Walls-19.
So tlA(ere was not a quorum present.
n motion1001 the Assemibly adjourn d lunti to-morrow.

ITHUR!SiDAY, July 2d, 1I608.
The Assembl1y m1et 'pursuant to adjourmlent..
The roll was called, and the following membl)ers answered to
* their ,names :
Mr. Speaker, Messrs. Butler, Cox, DeLauney, Filer, Greene of
ManatIee, Harman Harris, Hodges, Lee, Livingston, McKinnon,
IMoore Rney, Rodgers, Scott, Simpson, VarIum, and Walls- 9.
So there was not a quorum present.
()n motion, th Assembly adjourned until to-morrow.

FRI'DAY, July 3d, 1868.

The Assembly met pursuant to adjournment.
The roll was called, and the following members answered to
their names:
Mr. Speaker, Messrs. Butler, Cox, DeLaney, Filer, Greene of
Manatee, Har1man, Hlarris, Hodges, Lee, Livingston, McKinnon,
Moore, R1aney,'Rodgers, Scott, Simpson, Varmim, and Walls-19.

o31

So there was no quorum present.
On motion, the Assembly adjourned until to-morrow.

SATURDAY, July 4lt, t186, .

Thle Assembly met pursuant to adjourfn1len1ift.
The roll was called, and the 1llo(win members answered to
their namIes :
Mr. Speaker, Mezssrs. Iogue, ut, Cox, )eL1aney, Filer,
Grah:am, Greene of Mianatee, Iitarn:, ,arris, Hodges, Keene,
Lee, Livingston, Mills, IMoore, Osood. Powell, aney, Rodgers,
LcAI, 11"A fa, oVP".- 1!'.D "' il()1.1t1m P(2 S (-'I I
Scott, i.mpson1., Thompson, arnum, Walls, and Wels-
So there w7a0 not a q)Ur1u present.
On motion of Air. larmai, the Assembit t

HALF-PAST T ELE, P. M.

S AssembIly resumed its ssioi.
The roll 1ei. cal(le, the illot ii, ,l embers aus Iwvie to their

Mr. ,Speaker., M\es'srs. IH > ie2, ilutiler, Cox, De]anev, Fi, r.
runi, 'Green of Manatee.... Inm crris. Hil., TIod Keene, Lee, Liyi,,ston, ,i.l.iilon [ills, Moore, O( -d,
Powell, ,lod.e. SOe.tt, Simpson, Ste-lrns, Ti.ompson, ^lnl i.
Walls, and Wells-2.-
A (quOlum present.
On motionl of Mr. Butler, a o)nllittee, conisistinof 'Messs.
"Butler, cKinnon, and Hiarman, were appointed to inform the
Senate that the Assembly w;as rey o 'receive them in j,)int

After a. brief absce, the con uittte reported that t he ha
performed the duty assigned them, ia were discharled.
The S-enate entered the Hal, ;and1I by invitation of" tihe
Speaker, the Priesident of thle Senate took the Chair.
"On motion olf Mr. Knlighlt, Ai committee, cnisistilg of Messrs.
Knight, Hunt, Butler, Greele, oft Manatee, and DeLaney, w-ere
Sappointed to wait upon Colonel John T Sprague, his Excellency
Governor Harrison Reed, :1ad his Excellency vex-Governor Da-
vid S. Walker, and inform them that the .joint session were
ready to 'receive an"y coillllulicationltel they Ima1vy 1e pleased to
t retuake.r
T11e co(mm1I1ittee, after a. b l |rie" absce, returiied, aind it i'toducd

32

to the joint session, Colonel John T. Sprague, his .Excellency
Governor Harrison Reed, and his Excellency ex-Governor David
S. Walker.
Colonel John T. Sprague arose, andl in the following address
turned over the military o-overnment to the civil authorities :

ADDRESS OF COLONEL JOHN T. SPRIAGE.

I am here to-day, fellow-citizens, inl compliance( with the order
of my government, to surrender my position as military-civil
Governor of Florida, to the (Governor elected by the pIeople. In
doino- this, it is proper I should read my authority for doing so,
and will therefore read thle order of Major Generanl lMeade,
which is: as follows:

HE A>L-A)TER.S T"THIR) MILITARY DrISTrf T,
(Department of G(eorgia, Florida & Alabama,)
AtlaMta, Georgia, June 29, 1868.)

GENERAL ORiDE1
No. 92. '
NWH:EREAS, Official information has been received at these
Headquarters fiomn the Governor elect of the State of Florida,
that the Legislature of said State, elected under the provisions
of General Order No. 43, current series, from these Headquar-
ters, have assembled, and complied with the requisitions of the
Act of Congress which became a law June 25 1868, entitled an
act to admit the States of North Carolina, Sout Clarolina, Lou-
isiana, Georgia, Alabama and Florida, to representation in Coin-
gress ; and whereas said acts state that oni complliance with the
conditions therein set forthl b any State the officers of said
State, duly elected anid qualified unler the Constitution thereof,
slall be inaugurated without delay ; It i8 therefore ordered,
I.-That all civil officers, holding office in thle State, wleth-
er by military appointment or by failure to have successors qual-
itied, shall pruiiptly yield their offices and turn over to their
properly elected andl qualified successors, all public property,
archives, books, records, &c., belon)gin,, to the same.
II.-Whenever the military Commander of t-lie sub-District of
Florida is officially notified of the inai:uurat ion of the State o'ov-
ernment elect, military authority under the acts of Coingres,
known as the Reconstruction laws, will be at an end in said
State; and it is made the duty of the sub-District Commander
to transfer everything appertaining to the government of said
State to the proper civil officers, and to abstain in future upon
any pretext whatever from a2ny interference witl or control over

the civil authorities of the State in the persons and property of
the citizens thereof.
BY ORDER OF M1AJOu GENERAL M EADE,
R. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant General.
In continuation, I will read the following :

EXECUTIVE, OFFICE,
TALLAHASSEE,; E, July 2, 1868.
COLONEL : I have thle honor to inform you that the State
Government provided under the new Constitution for the State
of Florida, in accordance with the construction laws of Con-
gress, has been duly inaugurated, and all the conditions prece-
dent to the admission of thie St"ate into the Federal Union have
been complied with, and z our Representatives admitted to Con-
'ress. With hig-h respect, I am, Colonel,
01'our obedient servant,
SHARRITSON REED,

To COLONEL ,JOHin T. Spili- E,
Commanding District of Florida, Jacksonville.

[11 compliance with these instruction s, addressingg Governor
Reed,) I hereby relinquish my authority as military and civil
Governor of Florida, to yourself, duly elected by the people.
It may not be uninterestit n to iw o review the events of the past,
and refer briefly to some of the incidents connected with my
administration culminating as it does to-day in thle legislative
body which I see before me-a body of men elected yv the
people to represent their interests, 1and to legislate for the
welfare of tle State.
Three years ago, I assumed commandll in Florida, and I
cannot but contrast the conditions of tling':s (w with tlle time
when I first landed in Jaciksonville. I found a State devastated
by war, a people ruined and1 scattered. Busiessws w; (lead,
(and widows and orphans c(:ae to e to m o be for bread to save
them from starvation, :and fom r a roof to shelter them. They
sought, again, the ]rotectiC n of that government which for
sixty years had ad sreadi its palladium of freedom and safety above
theum. Time rolled on, until I fmTlound myself with the whole
State and all its interests upon my lIands, aetingo as military
commander, civil Governor, julle, jury,j dIoctor, 1and lawyer.
Finally came the tReconstruction acts, throwing a new burden
of dutty and responsibility upon me, and I must confess that I
doubted my ability to discharge them: but the work was done,
and now you arre ee as legislators, duly prepared to legislate.
I found ta nyr your citizens true and faiithful men, who1 were

ready to come up to the work-to gather around' me and assist
me, and to them I cannot refrain from expressing my obliga-
tions. Especially must I thank the late Superintendent of Reg-
istration, Col. 0. B. Hart, a patriot grown gray in the service
of his country, for his cordial and honest support. I, came up
manfully to his work, without hesitation, and without partisan
rancor. To him I tender my thanks in this public nmai:der, and
leel assureC( that in him, as a private citizen or as a pulli" onicer,
the State will ever have a ,Ltrue, ithffil, and Ipatri. son.
(Applause.)
In you (addressing Governor Wtalker), in the dischl*l: f my
duties, I found a generouss nd a patriotic fellow-worker trust
that our friendship will not e ,i, with the termination our
ofOcial 'relations. I wAll ever IeineH vour long and 'rY
service, and cherish .o1 yourself )\\ ior your oeople the sin st
,' ..
afl0ewnoI and teem.
i anotherr (tuTninitg to G v,,en0t i 'i) w1io stood by m 1
with whom I was associated through this long labor, i fo a

trtion of0 t :t u's, that t, le ]eopj ) il w in. you :'- i i intil ic
officer It is for the people now to supp their r> ; d,
if they will, I :;m sure thvt Faoriia \'i1 on 'tand o't oI' of
t.1;Q ihrig tcst States th In ii.
i. Ie, i i to r on tiiC iO r --of I ,Aoull (_
=ti- st. -'nv- V *nr':- ;ro -e 1a- i' -t nip itp" ovr fl S tnt :1s
( Al j 1 A-
, ,ie 1 tLe an-t, a n ( i .... Li\ ;Vjin c with \ !12)v(s ;'nC[
tl.,, ;OIS. tereO In it llah ssc 1' re ('eiV e )iai arks of
mScls ('QYSI1(L co(rtesY': -L tht tc 1Aiose (1K s 110W tv er

omPe forward to tle support of the Governor. I do not see them

a.. su* th ( *tI V ( 1...

f -.e him,,, but still sustain iim. Tbere are .othe t1iings around
"oe which .I. ,Iar]k le. .Ie ;8reC seCted e(eI Wo teA, ye(rs
Si 1 eT:LAV I leet i
l tlie privilegee : w 'ii Cjoy ;i I all uponu taheIl to stand
ap a.nd realize the tositio( in which they are placed. You are
called upon as freemen to sustain your own res-e"tability. The
A 1 ',
white InuIi is your frienI upon him. you must rely, and with
him you must take counsel. You have rights and privileges as
'reemen, but these rights and privileges are nothing. without
virtue and intelligence; and esIpecially because (God( has p)iaed a
mark, upon vou, which requires that ,ou should 1et it, y prov-
ing our capacity,. and yow fidelity to the ws of or ou-
try, in spit of it.

35

This is a day, my fellow-citizens, upon which we may well re-
view the past-the natal day of our country-and we may well
remember with gratitude those who fought for our freedom and
for the independence of our common country. No matter from
whence they came, North, South, East, or West, they and their
memory belongs to us.
For thirty long years I have been identified with every section
of the Union, in the service of our country. I have seen the
star-spangled banner go up and down with the rising and set-
ting sun in every State, and those who have come under its folds
have felt that it floated over protection, prosperity and virtue.
I am detaining you too long, but it is a subject very near my heart.
e' 7 9 0 v c 1 ea
I (m desirous that all the people of Florida sthouid come up to
the support of their government in its new relations with the
(1ion. I warn them to come up and take counsel; to destroy
their prejud(ces, and, like t1he patriarch of -l to burn incense
and.1 oer up prayer for" their country.
Ohl, my country, my country, oir our) lon' years as tlhe blood
1 1 aT i / I 9 I.
b.eeln ,'us{i, from your veins. North, onth, East, and West
have met upon the field, and bv e side iyav sleeping in the
,4. .t 1. 1 f a e 1, -
r-.e tose who -ell *- tin- i iegen'e of ti4 e iition ie, n
ti-"e wio 0ell ;i :i iista'ken but honest cause. Tihey were rave
k .> fiht:n , tte I)attles of tleir country.
.valve :In departed men, if 'Vyo are permitted to look down
iO.. o de'votions iere to-day, assemble arOUli the Ifimortl
1 ,4 1

1 a.-* ( ""

AIDDEES OF EX-( 0VEiNOR WALKED.

I:e a : and Gentlemen, Frkonds :ind Pellow-eitizens: On the
iirst day, o te month I formally suTrrenderled my authority to
his Excellency O vernor Reed'. The rem-arks which I made on
that occasion, and his very appropriate and complimentary re-
spouse, have beeln published, and it is unnecessary to repeat
them; and now the Commander of the Sub-District of Florida
personally lays down the military authority, and our State is
once more restored to civil law. I am too feeble to make a
speech, but must say that myB thanks are due to the officers
who have comm:Olanded in Florida. They have been kind and
considerate to me 'as a citizen and as chief magistrate, and it is
generally conceded that our State lhas had less to complain
of under military rule than any of its sisters. While my thanks

are due to all, they are especially due to General'Foster, to Gen-
eral Meade, to Colonel Sprague, and to Colonel Flint, and I have
reason to believe that each has been as anxious to promote your
welfare as you are yourselves.
I have torn myself from a sick bed to witness these ceremonies,
and therefore, wishing glory, prosperity, peace and happiness to
all the citizens of my State, irrespective of class or color, I wish
you farewell. (Applause.)

His Excellency Governor Harrison Reed, upon receiving the
surrender of the military authority, delivered the following ad-
dress:
ADDRESS OF GOVERNOR REED.

Mr. President, Gentlemen of the Legislature, and Fellow-citi-
zens: After near eight years of wandering from our father's
house, during which time our substance has been wasted in fruit-
less controversy, we have returned, and Florida is once more ad-
mitted to the councils of the nation, a State within the Union, to
go no more out while time shall last. (Applause.) The reflec-
tions at a time like this are so overwhelming that it is impossi-
ble for me to do justice to the sentiments of my heart.
Standing at the threshold of the re-organization of civil go(vern-
ment as its chief magistrate, I feel a sense of overwhlelming nre-
sponsibility that well-nigh prevents utterance. I have no words
to express this feeling of responsibility, in view of the duties that
are before me. I rely alone upon the patriotic integrity and
character of the people of the State, and that great overruling
Power which has thus far sustained me in the duties oflife.
I shall not attempt to review the record of the past few \ ears.
The fratricidal strife is at an end. We have now to gather up
from the wreck of the past and erect a government whiNch shall
do honor to the Stite and nation. WVe ined here the cordial co-
operation of all tlhe( citizens of the State. I appear before you,
fellow-citizens, as the elected candidate of the Republican party
-that party whihose mission it was. to lput down rebellion andl
establish civil government. But I am not simply the Governor
of a party; I recognize the rights of all citizens of- he State as
equal, and I shall so endeavor to administer the govetrnmentl that
those who have opposed reconstruction shall have no reason to
complain of the violation of their rights.
It is my duty and my pleasure to welcome all citizens of the
State like to the benefits of civil government. The record of
the past few months appears like a dream. It is impossible to
realize the magnitude of the events. My humble part was to do
what within me lay to bring quiet and stability to the country.

37

I depend upon the patriotism and loyalty of the people to accom-
plish the great work which we have so auspiciously commenced.
On the 8th of June, the Legislature assembled, and the gov-
ernment was inaugurated under the provisions of the Constitu-
tion, and all the conditions precedent to our admission to the
Union were fulfilled. Having accomplished that, we have been
accepted, and to-day, finally has been relinquished the military
authority which has controlled since the war closed.
Mere words will fail -to express the gratitude I feel towards
those who have conducted the provisional government down to
the present time; that Florida has been so favored-having, as
has been so truthfully remarked, had less to complain of than
any of her sister States-is due to you, Sir (to Col. Sprague) and
to you (to Governor Walker). I recognize the obligations due
to the military Goverior, and to the civil Governor under hinm
And I think the people feel this obligation, Hand will not fail to
express it under all proper circumstances.
For you, Sir, (to Colonel Sprague), I have noticed the mild
and gentle sway of the military power over the people-so mild
and gentle that it has been difficult for us to realize that we were
not under a civil o'overinment. You and your subordinates have
administered the government so as to be entitled to our warmest
thanks, and I, as the people's representative, in their name and
in my own, thank you. (Applause.)
To you, sir (to governorr YWalker), who were elected by the
people, under the provisional power to administer the civil gov-
ernment, who have left a sick bed to witness this occasion, I 40ive
most sincere thanks for myself and in the name of the people,
for your interest and your co-operation during the late strui'fle,
and for your courtesy toward me as the representative of the
presenIt government.
Fellow-citizens, this is a nmomeniltous occasion, a civil govern-
menlt of freedom and equal laws is illnauglrated here for the
future control of tlle State, l(d gratitude is due to Almni6ghty
God for His guidance to this consiunmnation, alnd hlerei under the
shadow of the immortal Washington (a fine painting of Wash-
ington and a large Americain tflaig hiunog over the speaker) and
this flag which now -bears no stain upon its folds (applause), I
consecrate myself t to tle o'eat Vork for which I have been
choseln, and look to Him for guidance and supporIt.
I thank you for your consideration, :and that so many of yonl
have presented yourselves here to. witness the transfer of the
civil power. It nee(led no word from. this gallant commander to
testify to his patriotism and loyalty, for we have his past record;
his course when tlhe traitor Twiggs surrendered to the enemy,
anid his services iii organizing the thousands of men who went
out to collnquerl t-he rebellion from the great Empire State of New

38

York; a military chieftain of more than thirty years' unswerving
devotion to his flag and who has honored his government in
his earnest support ,of its laws, and the re-establishment of civil
government in Florida-it is an occasion of gratification to meet
him here, and in your name, and as your representative, I con-
gratulate him on his consistent record and triumphant success.
(Applause.)
Mr. Alden offered the following resolution:
Resolved >My the Senate (and Assembly of the State ,f l"7olid(a.
in joi.t session conv-ened, That appreciation the fidelity and
patriotism with which Colonel John T. Sprague and the officers
of his.commtand have dischargedd the arduous and t-rying duty
imposed upon them. by the reconstruction acts, we tender to
them, in thie name of the people of the State of Floria our1 si-
cere-and heartfelt thanks l;i
Which was adopted.
Mr. G(oss offered the flowing resolution
IReoledi That we hereby tender to (Colonl I Hart, )lte
Superintendent of Registration, ;id the various boards of
registration. thror ..houtt tlhe State", our sincere thnks .,or the
_. > i l c oV1 r.," L--
,OIbet, ab :wii umpartia1 manner in wh),, t,1(' ,vi .'i',-
WhIielh was ado pte,
On motion of !Mr. Va.rn_ m, the oint session ,._joumed.
On1; motion of Mr. McKini the AsemIbly a !ouInied Ttil
(10 o ci'ock 1 A. M. ina'l nex. if

MONDYY Junly th, iso-.
The ,-sseribly n111t nursunt to ad0jou niiienlt
The roll w1s yelled, 1nd the following i^.lril's answered' to
their naiies :
Mr. Speaker, Messrs. BIOutler Cox, DeLanev, Filer, Graia.n,
Greenie of aatee, Lall, IIrn .rris, Hodgesr, Keene, "Lee,
McKiinoi, Moore, ,Osgood, Powell. Rt.odge.O Sco t,- Simpso,C,
Varnum, and'Wall s-22.
So there was not t quorum I)present.
On motion of MrI. McKinnon, the Assembly :Ajourned until
to-morrow, 10 o'clock A. ,M.

TUESDAY, July 7th, 18t8.
The Assembly met pursuant to adjournment.
The roll was called, and the following members answered to
their names:

39

Mr. Speaker, Messrs. Austin, Bogue, Bostick, Bradwell, But-
ler, Cox, DeLany, Filer, Graham, Greene of Manatee, Hall, Har-
man, Harris, Hodges, Keene, Lee, Livingston, McAuley, Mc-
Kinnon, Mills, Moore, Powell, Raney, Rodgers, Scott, Simpson,
Thompson, Varnumn, Waflls, and Wells-31.
A quorum present.
On Motion of Mr. McAuley, leave of absence was extended to
Mr. Cheshire until Saturday next, on account of sickness.
The majority and minority resolutions relative to contested
election from St. Johns county, as offered by committee on
Privileges and Elections,
\Was read first time, and ordered tor second reading on to-
dI 1O'1'OTTW.
morrow.
IMr. McKinnon offered the following11 resolutions:
WHEREAS, our late beloved chieftain and pre-eminient states-
man, David S. Walker, has lately been removed firom- the
high station to which the unanimous voice of the legal voters
of the State of Florida called him in the year of 1865.C, several
years in advance of the expiration of the term for which he
was elected; and, whereas, said removal was not caused by
any act of malfeasance or dereliction oft duty on his ,part; and,
whereas, his long plubli service, not only as our endeared
chief Executive, hut also in many other stations to which he
was called by the voice of the people, anid which lie ever filled
with honor to the St:te and credit to himself, merits the
gratefull acknowledgments of the people of Florida; and,
whereas, he now retires from the fl public service il the midst
of declining years, with la u.just p scription resting upon
him therefore, be it
Resolved, That \we, tihe representatives of the people of
Florida, in Assembly convened, do tender to him out unfeigned
thanks fobr his spotless purity and unswerving integrity in office,
and offer him our tenderest sympathies while resting under the
burden of proscription.
Resolved, /frtter, That the chief clerk he, and he is hereby
required, to transient :a copy f this res'oltioo tolis rutol the Honorable
D. S. Walker;
Which were read, and on motion of Mr. Austin, laid on
the table.
IRule waived, n mtin of Mr. .Greene of Manatee, leave of
absence was extended to Hion. S. S J. Pearce, to an indefinite time,
on account of sickness.
On notion, the Assem,)bly took a: recess until 12 o'clock, M.

40

TWELVE O'CLOCK, M.
The Assembly resumed its session.
9 A quorum present.
On motion of Mr. Harmani, leave of absence of Mr. Erwin, of
Columbia county, was extended(1 until Monday next.
Without previous notice, Mr. Butler introduced the following
bill:
An act repealing,4 an ordinance entitled an ordinance, for the
relief of the people of Florida, passed in Convention, February
21st, A. D. 1868;
Which was read, rule waived, and the bill read the second time
by its. title.
Mr. Walls offered the following substitute:
A bill to be entitled an ac't fixin the time for abolishin- the
relief ordinance;
Which, on milotion, was accepted in lieu of the originall bill.
ue waived, anlld on lmotio, the biI read'i the thijvd time by
its title and. put upon its passage.
The vote was:
Yeas-Mr. Speaker, Messrs. Austin, Bogue, Bostick, Brad-
well, IButler, Cox, DeLaney, i, Filer, Grham, Greene of Manatee,
Hall, Harman, Harris, Hill, Hodges, Keene, Lee, Livingstonl
McAuley, Mv~ illm, Mil, Moure, O^-^-I, Powell, Kaney, Kodg-
ers, Scott, ShinpsoIn, Thompson, Yarmi, Walls,and Wells-33.
Nays-None.
The bill passed-title as stated.
Mr. Harman offered the fo!lowi i :
A bill to be entitled an act. fixin the sale days i n the State
of Florida;
Which was read, and placed :among. the orders of the day for
a second reading' on to-morrow.
Also the following:
A bill to be entitled an act fIor the protection of the citizens
of the State of Florida, traveling on public conveyances;
Read first time, ordered for a second reading 0on to-fmorrow.
On motion, the Assembly adjourned until 10 o'clock A. M.
to-morrow.

WEDN" ESD)AY, July 8th, 1868.
The Assembly met purs uant to a dj ournment.
A quorum present.
The Rev. J. C. Gibbs officiated as Chaplain.
The Journal of yesterday's proceedings was read and ap-
proved.

41

The following standing rules were adopted for the govern-
ment of the Assembly:

STANDING RULES OF THE ASSEMBLY.

OF TIPJE DUTIES A)ND POWERS OF THE SPEAKER.
RULE 1. The Speaker shall take the Chair every day at the
hour to which the Assembly shall have adjourned; shall call
the members to order; andt, o the appearance of a quorum
shall proceed to business.
RULE 2. He shall preserve decorum and order; may speak to
points of order in preference to other members; aind( shall decide
all questions of order, subject to an appeal to the Assemnbly by
motion regularly seconded; and no other business shall be in
order till the question oni the appeal shall have been decided.
RULE '. 1c Shall declare all votes, but if aly imeber rises
to doubt a vote the Speake)i r shall order a return of the number
votin- in the afnirmrative and in the negative, without any firth-
er debate upon the questions.
RULE 4. He shall rise to put a question, or to address tlhe
Assembly, but may read sitting.
RULE 5. In1all cases the Speaker may vote.
RULE 6. WVHen the Assemibly shall determine to c$o into a
committee of the whole Assembly. the Sp-eake shall appoint.
the member who shall take the Chair.
RULE t. O1 all questions and motions whatsoever, the Speaker
shall take the sense of the Assembly by yeas and nays, provided
two of the members present shall so require. When the
yeas and nays are taken, the roll of the Assembly shall be called
in alphabetical order, and no member shall be allowed to vote
who shall not be upon the floor of the Assembly at the time his
name is called, or boetre thle roll-call is finished.
RULE 8. He shall propo-undl all questions ill the order in which
they are moved, unless the subsequent motion be previous in its
nature, except that in naming sums ,an(d fiing time, the largest
sum rand longest time shall be put first.
RULE 9. After a motion is stated or read by the Speaker, it
shall be deemed to be in possession of the Assembly,. and shall
be disposed of by vote of the Assembly, but the mover may
withdraw it at any time before ea decision or amendment, except
a motion to reconsider, which shall not be withdrawn after the
time has elapsed within which it could be originally made.
RUiLE 10. When a question is under debate, the Speaker shall
receive no motion but to adjourn, to lay on the table, for the
previous question, to postpone to a day certain, to commit, to
amend, or to postpone indefinitely; which several motions shall

42

have precedence in the order in which they stand arranged;
and a motion to strike out the enabling clause of a bill shall be
equivalent to a motion to postpone indefinitely.
RULE 11. He shall consider a motion to adjourn as always
first in order; and that motion, and the motions to lay on the
table, to take up from the table, and for yeas and nays, shall be
decided without debate.
RULE 12. He shall put the previous question in the following
form: "Shall the main question be now put ?" and all debate
upon the main question and pending amendments shall be sus-
pended until the previous question shall be decided. After the
adoption of the previous question, the sense of the Assembly
shall forthwith be taken on pending amendments in their regular
order, and then upon the main question.
RULE 13. On the previous question there shall be no debate.
RULE 14. When two or more members happen to rise at once
the Speaker shall name the member who is first to speak.
RULE 15. All committees shall be appointed and announced
by the Speaker, unless otherwise specially directed by the As-
sembly.
RU1LE 16. The Speaker shall have the right to name any
member to perform the duties of the Chair, but. such substitution
shall nl(, t extend b)eyOl d 1I ;tflijolliunliellt.
OF THE DUTIES, itrGHTS AND DECORUM OF THE MEMBERS.
IULE 17. Every member, when about to speak, shall rise and
respectfully address the Speaker; shall confine himselfto the
question under debate, and avoid personality, and shall sit down
when he lhas finished. No member shall speak out of his place
without leave of the Speaker.
RULE: 18. No member speaking shall be interrupted by
another, b)ut by rising' to call to order.
RULE 19. No member shall speak more than twice on one
question, without first obtaining leave of the Assembly:; nor
more than once, until the other nme mbers whIo have iot spoken,
shall speak, if they desire it.
RULE 20. VWhen a. vote has passed, it sliall be in order for
any member' of the miiajrit to move for a reconsideration
thereof, on the same or the succeeding day: and such motion
(except in the last week of tie session) shll be plaed first in
the orders of the day for the day succeeding that on which the-
motion is de; d when a mot for reconsideration is nae nt we ti fde-
cided, that decision shall not be reconsidered, and no question
shall be twice reconsidered : Pror'Ci;d, however, .that a motion
to reconsider a vote, upon any collateral matter, shall not re-
move the main subject under consideration fi-om before the
Assembly, but shall be considered at the time when it is made.

RULE7 21. Bills, Isolvs ad, other. pape ecet o s of'
notice, in reference to which any member has a rig.t to move a:
reconsideratio, shall remain in the possession of the Clerk un-
til tlhe richt of reco>nideration has Qexp)ired Pj-(ovi that the
o)era'ltio of this rule shi'l1 be sus.pend(ied tdurin-g the Iast week of
the session.
RULE 22.. :!ember sl Le ol10iged to (be on milore tiha
two eOmmitte,-": nt the sa- i tne, or Chairman of IOe thafl
onlle.
RUE "23. o member shall be pe"witted to stand pto the
interlruptioin of another, whie any member is speaking, or to
pass -1necessarily between- the speaker of thle Asmldy and

inttd every matter relai ti(ng to the a s l be kept sere1t

tULE 2.5. Every -temer who shall neglect to give his at-
teindance inl the AsseImbly for moe llthan six das ae the ses-
-- ; i ,,]( or,*
sion commIIencesI, slit o 1 making Its appearancelII t:therein, be
held to render the 1)reason of such'l neglect; not in case tle re:asoin
assined sill 1)b e deemed the Assembly smicientl such mm-
S e rt r"'e t "
ber shall be entitled to rc-ive pay or hf travel ,d not other-
Vise; and no melmber shall be absent more than .one da
without leave of the Assembly, and a vote of leave of absence
shall be inoperative, unless the ii il1ember obtaining it shall a;1vail
himself of it within tive days.
RULE 26. WhenI any member shal be uiltv of a breach of
either of the rules and orders of the Assembly, l.e may yb- e re-
quired by the Assembly on motion,i to make satisttion there-
foir and shall not be allowed to vote or speak, except by way
of excuse, till lie has done so.
RULE N 27. N 1o member shall be permittle to vote, or servc on
any committee, in ay questionn where. his private- right is im-
.mediately concerned, distinct firom the public interest.
RULE 28. Every member who shall be in the Assembly when
a question is lput, where lIe, is not excl'udled by interest, shall.
tgive his vote, unless the Assembly, for special reason, shall ex-
cuse him. Any member desiring to be so excused on any ques-
tion, shall make application to that etect befIre the .Asselmly

and shall be decided without debate.
RULE 29. Every motion shall be redcedl to iwritingl, if tthe
Speaker shall so direct.
RULE 30. Any member maylt l fo1 r the ldivi! 1 of a i 1e
.er
RU:E28 vey ml~r l:,shllle n le sqbl we

44

tion when the sense will admlit of it. A motion to strike out
.and insert shall be deemed indivisible ; but a motion to strike
out being lost, shall neither preclude amendment nor a motion
to strike out and insert.
S RULE 31. Motions and reports may be committed, or recom-
mitted, at the pleasure of their Assembly.
SR:LE 32. No motion or proposition of a subject different
from that under cosideration, shall be admitted under color of
amendment.
RILE 33. The uitiinished lbusiiess in which the Assembly was
engaged at the time of the last adjournment, shall have the
preference in the orders of the day, next after motions for re-
con sideration.
RIlLEu 34. No rule or order of the Assembly shall be dis-
pensed witli, or repealed, unless a ma ,jority of the members l)res-
enmt shall consent thereto.
RuE 35,. lWhen a vote is doubted, the members for or a ainist
the question, when called on by the Speaker, small rise bandstand
uncoveredtil til they are counted.
R:-uL: 30. All questions relating t tohe I, iority of business to
be ated uJpon, siall be decided without di debate.
RIULE ,s. V:When l: motion is made to refer .any subject and
difieren t .conilittees shall fbe propo) sed, the question shall b
taken Mn the followicng order: A Standin Coimittee of the
Assembly ; n Joint Sta(nding (Committee ; a Select Com.mittee
a Joint Select Committee.
RbY 3c8. It shall )e tlhe dutlIy of each member liof the As'seml-
bivy who movs thit ainy tandin Comuittee be instructed to
inixve into ,the expediency of amending an existing law or laws,
to point out the amendment, which he deems expedient, in
vriting, to company his motion, or to furish a written state-
inetnt thr..f.to such com IUt'1 ,. it bv t dhem retired. -
"RLE i). stngr shIal admitted t the seats of mem-
ers, uor ,poI the floor of tile Assembly, without leave of the
Speaker or consent of the Assembly.

O( PETiITIONS, I-EMORIALS, ETC.

'AALE 40. A pperS Hdrssed to th Asselmbly, except pe-
titions, memon 'ris n111d remonstraices, shall be presented by the
Speaker, or by a mem-ber'in h]is pace, and s11ll be read by the
S kr, Clerk, or such other person as th Speaker may re-
quest, and shall he taken up in the order in which they were
presented, unless where the A-sembly shall otherwise direct.
"* )LE 41. Every member presenting to the Assembly a peti
tion, memeorinl, or remonoC.Istrance, shall indorse his name thereon,
wit1 a brief st temnent of t]he natu ie and oiet of the "istruneut

*

0

43

and the reading of the same from the Chair, shall, in all instan-
ces, he dispensed with, unles specially ordered by the Assembly.
RULE 42. All reports, petitions, memorials, remonstrances
and papers of a like nature, shall be presented during the first
hour of each session of the Assembly, and at no other time ; and
the Speaker shall call on the several divisions, in regular suc-
cession, for such papers.
RULE 43. All application for the use of the Assembly Cham-
ber shall be made to, and decided upon, by the Committee on
Public Buildings, subject, however, to the control and order of
the Assembly.

OX BI LLS, uESOLlT[OS, AND GRANTS.

RulE -44.1. Every bill, ;nd all resolutions of a public nature
oo for the propr'i'tiot i of tlie public monc, shall receive three
reading -gs previously to the finai p;ssa: e of such bill or resolu-
tion ; and- the Clerk shall give notice of each, .whether it be thel
first, second, or third readings, whichii readings shall be on three
difirent d Ts, unless two-thirds of tle members present shall

RuLE 45. All bills nli(l resolves shall be written in i fahir
round hlnd4, wjtliout imterlmnections, on not less than one sheet
of paper, with suitable n rgins aid spaces between the several
sections or resolves.
.1 LE 40. At thle second( reading of anyiv bill or resolution, it
shall be i order for any memylber to move its comitHmenLt to a
Committee of the Whole House that it lay on the table ; for its
indefinite postponement; torp its postponellent to day certain
not beyond the session ; for its comimitmeneiit to a Stanidin- Com-
mittee.; to aI Select Counittee ; or to amend; which emotions
shall have precedence in tfle order above stated.
SRrLE 47. It shAll not be in order to amend thle title of. ;n-P
bill or resolution until it shall have passed its third reading.
riLE 48. Aill bills or resolutions to be engorossed shall be ex-
ecuted in : hir round hand inl without easura e or in1terlinei -
'tio s.
itLE 49. Before a bill or resolution reqLluiriig three readings
shdal l e read the third time, it shall bIe car ieflilly eno-rossed un-
der t ie direction of the Committee on Engrossed Billi, and upon
the third reading of tlhe bill or resolutionl it shallot be com-
mitted or amel ed without tlhe consent of i majority of the
.efl111)ers present.
RkULE 50. When bill or reson ion shall hafve passed its third
reading, it shall be certified by the Clerk, endorsing thlereon the
day of its passage, and boe transmitted to the Senate, accompa-
. ned with a message station the title. 0' the bill or resolultionl

40

and askiingi the concurrnc. of' thiat Ibody, ,and e da (te
transmission entered unpon the journal.

of its

COMMITTEES--THET? P')OWE\S A\D ) TIES.

RULE -)1.1 Bills co( itted to a n nmittie of the; hole _As-
sembly shall be read and debated, or :nl1iended by clauses or sec-
Sions, eavino- the title or preamble to W e1 h1 considered. The
body of' said bill SId ll not 1be, imlt(,rli1(W [ ty t,'
amendments, not, tile pae ntd line, shalh be dily entered by
the Clerk on separate paper, as he same e agreed to by
the .commlittee, and so rVeported th.)e Ai mbly. After report,
t, C
the biU s all haii be Su bjW t o he( Ihatn I nv aienlded by

RVIi, -52. It. shall be the dluty of te on ittee on .Enrolled

Vr L lVlItZ..
Bills to re ]ort t tany time.

OF ('OMMITrI'TEEI Ti2ELK PI' WERS ANI) DUI'] l:S.

RiLE 33. Tlie fbllowin:i2 tandinl: Con rtoes shall be a]p-
.. 17

,Judi:ciry,

Incor]i )loratiOm ,
Militia,
Agriculture,
Enrolled Bills,
Privileges and Elect ii s,
Railroads,
Indian Affairs,

EdI ucation,

Legislative Exlpndlit'res,
lPublic P rioting,
EI'rossed Bills,
State Institutions-,
Public Lands,
"Co" ierce and Navigation,
I:'

and each of these colmnittees shall (consist of fi've m11emb)ers.
Rr-E: 54. All papers, relative to any business before the As-
sembly, shall be left with the Clerk, by any member who may
obtain leave of absence, and maily lhave anv such papers in his
possession.
RUL: 55. The Chairman of any committee, except the Stand-
ing Committees, who shall have business referred to them, shall
make report of their doings therein, within four days after such
reference.
RULE 56. ,ll (counittees may report by bill, resolve, or

RULE 57. Messages shall be transmitted to ,the Governor or
Senate by the Clerk or Sergeant-at-Arms.
RULE 58. Order of business:
1st. Motions.

47

2d. PetitionsM, Mem-orials, alnd other pIlpers addressed to either
the Assembly or the Speaker thereof.
3d. Resolutions.
4th. Reports of Standing Conmmittees.
5th. Reports of Select (onomittees.
6th. Messao'es lyinL on thle tablCe.
7th. Orders of the day.
RULE 59. The rules of Pa:riaiulmntary Iractice, cojlprised in
Jefferson's iMtanual, shall govern the Assembly in all cases to
which they are applicable, and in which they are not inconsis-
tent with the Standing Rules, order of the Assembly, or the
Joint Rules of the two branches of the Legislature.
SAMUELA J. PEAIRCE,
J. T. WALLS,
), E. AUSTIN,
Committee on Rules.

On motion, 100 copies were ordered to b1e printed for the use
of the Assembly.
A message was received from the Senate informing the As-
sembly that the Senate had resolved to meet the Assembly in
joint session to-day, at 12 M., for the purpose of receiving
messages from his Excellency Harrison Reed.
The following joint rules and orders of the two branches were
read and adopted, and the Chief Clerk requested to inform the
"Senate of the same :

JOINT RULES AND) ORDERS OF THE TWO BRANCHES.

RULE 1. The Joint Comnmittee of the two Houses may report
by bill, resolve, or otherwise, to either House at their discretion,
and all bills or resolves reported by them, shall be written in
a fair round han, without interlinention, on not less than a
sheet of paper, wiith suitable margins and spaces between tihe
several sections or resolves.
RULE 2. Reports of JoiHit Coninittees may be reconmintted
to the same committees at the pleasure of the House acting
thereontheohout asking the concurren-ce of the other branch;
and bills or resolves which Ihave been previously acted on in
one branch may be reco iiitted in the otllerl without a concur-
rent vote, except when recommitted with instructions: Provi-
ded, That after such recommnitments, reports shall in all cases be
made to the branch which shall have ordered such reconmmit-
mIent.
RULE 3. All papers, while ol their passage between the two
Houses, may b)e.under the signature of the Seretary and Clerk

4S

respectively. Messages shall be sent by the Clerk or Sergeant-
at-Arms of each House.
RULE 4. After a bill or resolution shall hav: passed both
Houses, enrolled, and signed by the respective seicers thereof,
the Clerk of the House wherein said bill or resolution origi-
nated shall vertify the same to the Governor, and (Tenter the same
upon the journal.
RULE 5. All resolves and Otiler papers w1icii :,:e to be pre-
sented to the Governor shall be presented w for 1iis a:ipprobation in
the same Imanner as is prescribed in thl case of bills,
RULE 6. All resolves lpoposing aIH-ednments of tihe Constitu-
tion shall have three several readings in each .Huse, and the
final question upon adopting't the same shall be t:lak by yeas
:ad nays as )provide(d by. the Cons-ttitutid n.
RULE 7. IT Pesiet of tohe ite Sate sAl5 preside i oveY -
tions of the two branches, and such conventions srha l holden
in the Assembly C an br.
RtULE 8. eniI an ag1roUlI entU is been Imae by si:e tvwo
Sanches to o. into convention, such eemhent shall ti e al-
ter c*ed or annulled except b1y conicurret vote.
RIULE 9. o business shall be entered on in conl ve;nt on ex-
icpt by unanjlimlous con 1sent,- other tiaiin that which m.vy be
";o.reed upon before the convention is formed.
IRU ,I OIn all elections b v joit illot, a time shll 1be as-
si1ned thlere-fr : t least one lday previous to such election.

members on the part of eaCch House, r.Iresenting its vote ; and

through a new .ommlittece of (conference.
G1EO(RGE J. ALDEN,
J. X. -vIMMI0GEI? (
N. HI. MORAGNE,
SAtUa:EL J. PEARCIE,
J. T. WtALLS,
'). E. USTirX.

On motion of IMr. McKinnon, the chief clerk was requested to
inIbrm the Senate that the Assembly would be ready to receive
them at 12 o'clock M., to-day.
Without notice, Mir. Varnum offered the following bills:
"A bill to be entitled an act to establish a uniform system of
pilotage; also,
A bill to be entitled an act to enforce mechanics' and labor-
er's liens orn a ildings and other property ;

49

"W\Vhich were i'eceived, and placed among the orders of the day.
Without notice, Mr. Butler offered the following :
A bill to be entitled an act concerning the appointment of inl-
spectors of logs and timber, and definiiing the duties of said in-
spectors;
Which was received and placed among tlie orders of the day.
A petition, with accompany ng pal eats ini St. John's county was ,presC-d hv Mr. 'McKinion.
in I et
No action tiken.
Mr. Harris offered the fillowing rTesutioi :

eAolved by the ssc l of the State of orida, That the
11sincerest and m.ost grateful atckowled ,n-ts of the people of
Florida, and this Assembly, are due the lon. D)avid Walker,
late G(overnor ofT Florida, or tihe wise, imp;,'tia, jus,, :\ con-
scientlioius manner in which h as, throughout the tierm of is
office as chief Exec'utive of the State of. Florida, in t d
the (treat trusts and resonisibilties ci: en-t thereto) ; a;1 "at
this Assembly, for themselves and the people t'y represent, 'do

the-ir high appreciation of his e(i nent poltiai and judtal ser-I
ices, rendered in the various ofice S has held in this State, and
of their friendly regard for his personal character; that they do
,'
most sincerely sympathize with him, as resting iulder the disa-
bility of political disf"rachisemnt. and lamenting the loss to
,. I. hIS to
"the State o tlie valued services of olne 1 so often tried, trusted,
:n.d found faithful and worthy, ttiev o assure him tha1t they de-
sire to have his political disabilities remloveLd.
.Resolved. That ; copy of this resolution be forwarded to the
lIon. David S. Walker by the Clerk of this Assembly ;

Which] was read(, and on moiltionl of Mr. HIarvimani, laid on the
table.
iiule waived, on motion) of Mr. Butler, a committee consisting
oft Messrs. Butler, Lee, and Scott, were appointed to- inform his
Excellency that the Assenbly was in session, and anxious to re-
ceive any communications that lie may wish to make.
The committee reported, and were discharged.
"Without previous notice, Mr. Walls offered the following :
A bill to be entitled an act to empower the county and court
clerks to practice law,
Was received and placed among the orders of the day.
On motion, the Assembly took a recess until 10 minutes be.
fore 12 o'clock, 31.

50'

TEN MINUTES OF TWELVE O'CLOCK, M.

The Assembly resumed its sSsiol.
A quiorum pr*es et.
On motion of' Mr. Viin. Col. 0 B. Hart was invited to a
seat within the rar.
At 12 o'(clok i\., tihe Senate entered the Hall, and by invita--
tioll of the Speaker", the Presidenlt took the chair.
On motion of MrA. (Knight, a co-,llmittee consistilfg) of Messrs,.
KnioIht, Pearce, anld Stear's, were tapoljinted to wait upon his
Excellency the Governor, and inform himn that the Legislature
were met in convention rea dy to receive ani comm' uications lie
may be disposed to make.
After a brief absence, the conumittee returned with his Ex-
celelncy, who in person counnriicated the following message :

GOVERNOR 'S MESSAGE.

GENTLEMEN ENF TIHE SENATE AXD OF THE ASSEMBLY :
On the 8th of June you convened under peculiar 1and extra-
"ordinary circumstances. Il a military district, but without mili-
tary sanction, you met under the authority of Federal laws and
in obedience to the requisitions of the new constitution of the-
State, whiich the people had adopted, and which is to be our
fundamental law. You promptly complied with the conditions
prescribed by Congress as necessary to our recognition and
admission as a State in the Union, and then informally dispersed
to await the action of Congress. On the 25th, Congress de-
clared us entitled to admission, and on the 30th Florida was,
represented in both branches of the National Legislature-A
STATE WITHIN THE 1TNION.
You adjourned, a provisional government, subordinate to
military authority ; to-day you assemble, a government in fact
-sovereign and independent, within the sphere of the Federal
Constitution.
After near eight years of defiant wandering and estrange-
ment-during a portion of which no peaceful citizen was safer
from the demands of a lawless despotism, and life and property
were at the mercy of usurpers, Florida has renewed her allegi-
ance to the Federal Constitution and resumed her position in the
ITnion of States, with a radical change in her fiundalmental law
whiclt compels a corresponding change in our system of leoisla-
tioin.
With most devout gratitude to Almighty God, who has re-
stored the inheritance of our fathers and brought freedom andl
republican government to our famished and suffering State, I
cou,gratulate yo on this great consummation, so dear to every
true Ametrican heart, Zand bespeak your earnest co-operation, one
and all, in rendering" permanent and secure the advantages He
has o-_raciously- vouch(safed us.

FEDERAL IdEL.TIUNS.
Congress has manifested the most earnest desire to secure to
the conquered States of the South all the advantages of civil
government, and to foster our interests and encourage our pros-
perity. It has repealed the unjust and oppressive cotton tax,
and gives every assurance of a most liberal appreciation and
reciprocation of all efforts oin the part of our citizens to restore
i
civil authority and establish, l nd orde. If we now mani-
fest a spirit of loyalty to tLh government, and unite in behalf of
the highest interests of the State, regardless of the past, Con-
gress will in the most liberal spirit co-operate in our material
restoration, byv 'Tratiti us facilities or the completion of our
works of internal iin movement and( the reparation F our dis-
mantled coast deW1cCe' s and our fallen 1 ell commerI1'ce.
In its wisdom, in legislating lor 'th: e restoration of thie goverln-
ment upon a safe and permanent it basis ogress, as measure o
precaution, and in no sUirlt ofveneauce, >"aw "it to exclude ftom
places of trust and power, a class of or ci tizens who h0 d been
prominent in the effort t"o overthrow t he conslttiititution. This ex-
clusion is so limited that it probably affects less than a thousand
of the Ipeoplc of the State. Included amoiL these are many
who were not voluntary parties in the rebellion, and who since
"the surrendeti have faithfully co- o rated in tlhe wor)k of restora-
tion; and for such, and sul only as ave thus i;anisted their
fealty to republican g-overnmilent, and their disposition to render
it plermanient, I recom-mendliW the i avolr of the Legislature, in
securing the clemency of the national .government.for a. resto-
ration of their forfeited )privileges.
OUR CONSTITUTION.
Much wild and mischievous denuncia'tionl has been passed
upon the authors of our most wise an1d beneficent constitution
by thoughtless men, who have permitted! their passions and
prejudices to control their judgment. In some instances, this
opposition miay be the result of reflection and the exercise of
their best judgment. A few, no doubt, have read the constitu-
tion, article by article and section by section, and have come to
the conscientious conclusion that they could not approve. Of
these we cannot complain; th is is a free overnmenti-they are

entitled to their opinions. The masses, however, lead by reck-
less leaders, who oppose any and every system that does not in-
vest the powers of the government in the hands of a particular
class, have opposed it. Men who oppose every system that does
not manifest in its construction the intent and purpose to carry
out a spirit of hostility to true republicanism, have sported with
the true interests and welfare of the people of our' State, lby wild
and reckless denunciation, and have l ed many really 'ood mean-
ing men astray upon this subject. These men have no charity
for those who differ with them as to governmental policy. The
simplest whisper which would indicate a difference in opinion as
to measures, and the oproiety o. accepting. the results o the
past, is met by bitter denunciation, vituperation, and abuse.
It should be renemebered by all thinking men that man r of
the citizens of this State-indeed, if the issue had been openly
made, perhaps a majority of them were opposed bitterly to the
inauguration of .those measures which led to hostilities between
the two sections, and which first 'resulted in financial ruin and
bankruptcy, and finally ended in conquest. The desire of a ma-
jority of the southern people, no doubt, was that no revolution
should have been inaugurated until some iact hadt been done by
the general government, looking to the destruction or disregard
of their rights ; and, had they waited for this, the unnumbered
thousands that have been slain, would now be living men, and
the ruin and bankruptcy which followed never would have oc-
curred. This they did not do. IUrged on) by mad theorists and
theories, these men were led to adopt such measures as ne-
cessarily resulted in war. The large class of men in the South-
ern State- who were opposed to the inauguration of these
measures, by yielding, lost their prestige, and they have ever
since been the subjects of a despotism of the few.
Since the power of the government ofth0l United States has been
extended over this State, and since the surrender, these same men,
controlled by the same theorists and crushed by their power,
while they have in their hearts desired peace and a reorganization
of the government, have yet submitted to the continued control
of this oligarchy. Many of them have conscientiously opposed
the measures of the government, looking to the inauguration of
legal governments in the Southern States, because they did not

,5 4
j **-!

like the gift of suffrage to the colored man-a gift resulting from
the action of the republican party, and which, if it hlad been de-
nied, would have been a most ungrateful act. The government
could not, with honor, deny to the man who carried a musket in
'its defense, a voice in its administration. To have required him
in war to fight, and in peace to bear the burden of all other cit-
izens, and then deny him a voice in its administration, cannot be
sustained by any argument based upon principles of justice
or morals. Some persons' ideas of policy may lead them to op-
pose it. We hear never-endilng abuse on the part of the man
who is rendered ineligible to office for out-spoken and openly-
acted rebellion in arms, because he is required to pass through a
probation of ineligibility for this cause; and in the very next
breath the act of vesting the right of suffrage upon the man who
bore arms in its defense, and who pays equal taxes with himself;
is cursed as an evidence of despotism. Is this consistent, or
is it just ?
This is what we say to that majority of the white people of
this State who opposed secession, and who have yet opposed
our constitution on account of the suffrage question: it was
but justice, and we freely gave it to the colored man.
But, again, we say the suffrage question is settled-it is fixed.
No politician, however great a blunderer he may be, can fail
to perceive, from the results of the late election, ivhat will be for
all time in this State the destiny of the party that will attempt
to wrest the suffrage from the colored man. Defeat-signal
defeat-will be henceforth the result; therefore, we regard this
question as settled in the State of Florida, and do not expect
that it can or will in futuree be a living political question.
Under this state of circumstances, to those of this State who
have been under the despotism of the few-whose property has
been depreciated in valu\e--whose lands have been made waste
by their rash acts, we say, unite with us in the inauguration of
a government, land aid us with your counsel and support, so
that we may once again have civil rule, with peace and prosper-
ity throughout our entire State.
But, I have wandered from the subject-our State constitu-
tion. I do not purpose to argue the policy of the appointing
power vested by it in the Executive, or other questions of like

4

character. These questions are not the ones which the people
will expect and desire to hear discussed. The first question
which I shall consider, and that one which most materially affects
our people, is : Can the government, with the salaries provided by
the constitution, lh maintained without imposing aIy additional
taxation upon the people ?
I think it canf be demonstrated that it can.
Thle reeipts, a:t the treasury, for the fiscal vear ending
November 1st, 1867, amounted to,............ ..161,806 21
Tlie warrants issued amounted, to,.. .............. ...187,667 63
Difference between warrants a(d recei't, ..1 5,861 42
There is, however, due foru the year 1866, rot o et
Aolected, thei- s n of......................... 28,477 60
Thus, if the revenue had Xbeen collected, as it
should have beeln,c w -culd have ,ad an excess of
revenue ove'r warrants paid".. of.................. 2,616 18

We have, alsothat tht te revenue of the State for the year
1866, stood thus:
Amount received at the treasury. ............. .161,806 21
Amount which should have been received :and d(ue
for 1866,. .................. ................ 28,477 60

The total amount under present assessment,... ......$190,283 81
Now let us see if, with the salaries prescribed by the Constitu-
tion for executive, legislative, and judicial officers, the State gov-
ernment cannot readily be maintained under existing taxation.
SThe salaries, as prescribed by the constitution, embracing ex-
ecutive, legislative, and judicial officers, amount to, say, at the
greatest, $105,000. This leaves a, margin of 885,000 under
present assessments to defray the other expenses of the govern-
ment. But not to leave the matter to speculation, suppose we
make a more accurate calculation, thus :
We have seen above what amount will be necessary to pay
executive, legislative, and judicial officers. If from the revenue
of 1866 we deduct the amount then found necessary to main-
tain the executive, legislative, and judicial officers, we will have
left some data from which to ascertain whether we can pay th;
other expenses of the government with *85,000.

56

The expenditures, other than those mentioned above, are as,
follows:

Criminal prosecutions...... ............. ......
Jurors and witnesses ........................
Governor's residence. .... . .
School fiund .... ............... .....

Seminary fund....................
Contingent expenses circuit court...
West Florida Seminary..........
East Florida Seminary .............
Contingent expenses State. ........
Maintenance of lunatics...........
Indian hostilities, 1849.............
Contingent expenses Supreme Court
Printing and publishing ...........
Post mortem examinations ........
Pension, Mrs.. Reed...............
Com )1ensation to Attortney Gen Oera1.

. . *

Expenses of .Ubo(udarH line ...................
Executors of Gov. Perry..................
School fiundinterest... .................
Artificial limlbs.............................
State debt............................ ..
Freedmeit's school find ....................
Expenses of cofeonvention ......................
Repairs of capitol .......................
M ones reftinded.......................... .
Census of 1867... ........... ................
Supreme Court repor.ts. ......................

T otal.................. ...................

0
3?,'733
22,675
1,000
1,171
891
2,650
7,581
3,700
5,702
1,019
2,516
1,345
17 ,204
--I'

765
300

"-5
o,567
914
125
2,606
.2,892

S1,144

250

Thus we have the expenses of the State government, otihe than
executive, legislative, and judicial, amount to 12.5,143.62. In
regard to these items, we can safely estimate with ]poper legis-
lation that we will diminish two rof tr thse tu:

05
54
00
79
21
04
00
00
26
65
86
76
49
87
(40

91
00
00

00
) 00
88
00
j 4

u.

S 12 5 4 6 2

4

Criminal prosecutions. ......... 15,000 saving-$20,73 05
Jurors and witnesses......... 10,000 12,675 54

And we will not have to incur the following :
7-1'

Pension M ris. Reed .. ............... ........
Compensation to Attorney G(enerl .. ....... ...
B boundary line ...............................
Executors of Gov. Perry ......................

* Expense of convention.......................
C ensus of 86 ..............................

300
'33
So)
50

5,567
125
200
7,540

T total. .. ... ............. .............47,220

O0
00
00

00
00

00

59

Leaving to be provided, accodin. to expenditure of 1860,
which we will have to provide for after payin salaries., execu-
tive, legislative, and judicial, the sum of $77,914.03, bini the

sum within the amount of t80,000.

:But again, some items whic

upon the basis above taken we have suppo),()sed will have to be

paid byv the State, will not have so to be paid.
k" pn;4. L

item17 ii

West Florida Seminary, 7,581, will njot ue more than oe-h:lf
this amount.
In coiinection witl this subject, lI would renutrk further, that
it caanit l)e doubted that, :tne tle present system, very
large amount of property is lnot taxed, a:nd the system of assess-
ment is so radically defective that the assessor is not really able

to know but little of it.

A proper system for the. assessment

of all the taxable property in the State, at a fair cash value
will result in great relief to that portioI of our citizens who
have heretofore l)orne the I mrthei and ext ense of maintain -
rC'

ing the State gCovernment.

II mIense ) I tract-s )of lund, i)owned by

non-residents, :and others, somOe "of whichI' l us are among the
most valuable and product ive, e nve either escaped taxati:ion al-
together, or been cleared so slightly that they have )been with-
held from market andt friom cultivatioin, thus impedingi innmmig;ra-
tion and the inicr:es of population :and. throwing the ,bu-rtihen
of maintaining the governmentt, ]the improvement iof roads and
bridges, :ail opening the aven-ues o co merce and agriculture
upon the property of others, and upon individual industry and
enterprize. Beside this, there is no god reason wAhy corpora-

P

tions, which exist upon the necessities of the people, should
monopolize a. lar11Ve portion ie property and business of the
State, an:,d e exemp .t trom thoir share of the expense of main-
taininH the government that creates ani V:otects them. So <&r
a i. el,, ,
done. n if o ity in the ,sessent, an the (,ctainty of the
enforcement of revenue laws, nd al -o to enhance the t iancial
credit of the State, at lhome l abroad. T iht to levy
.taxes incl:udetls th1 riht to e Iorce their prompt co!lec tion
the sae of the property of non-resint as well as of rents.
ALtain, the rinemarl-able fat is disclosed by the 1' rot ifro
the tlresury department tlhat the amount due v revenue oj ?icers,
for a. i f .-.(- year is i. . . . . .. .
Ad there is e for the year 1866. ..... . '. .60

T o . . . . . . . .. . 17 063 31
Again, it, aipTars that no assessments were made during the
year 18- in the counties of Brevard, 'Dade, and Puntnm.
Tli'e :nost promiyt attention should )0e .iven to these matters,
and whato le.. I:ti Is necessary\ ) col,'t the duI. of the
State, should b d.
We think w ve answered satisfactorll thie question, Ca
the Stat'e government with the sa varies provided by1 the contsti.-
tution, 1)(e maintained without imposing any additional taxation
upon. the people ?
So ia as this is concerned, then, Ithere can be no reasonable ob-
jection to our constitution. We hope, by judicious management,
not only to support our government with the present amount of
taxation, but, at an early day, to discharge the entire amount of
interest due upon our State debt.
We do not propose to o" expedients to postpone the
debt to thec next administration, and then, before we are done
with postponements, leave it as a legacy to the next generation.
This policy has been pursued long enough; it is our purpose to
realize it it once and attack it at once.
It has been said th'It our constitution is proscri)tive. Is this
so ?
No subject c:.n b1I m:easured without a standard, and- the
highest measure ,ofjustice on the part of one of two parties who

I AA +1 4 a i"s -y .
dilir upon any question is to leave the .iuesion to be deeideI
-by such standard as, hi opponent may conscientiously prescribe
and adopt. In tlhe event of 'success iIn the lt rebellion, what
would te extee secessionists have done(101 to a citizen of the
i;ted Statc,; We eid on page 92 of the oven.,tio- JI r
nal oL 1.61, the answer to ) this (,-iestion in the fbl wing words:

hBe it ordained y tohc j'cpde (o tt .te ,f ofoF'r(d in Co<-
ention assemUled, That the sixth article of the constitution of
this State be e amended( by the addition theeto ,of the t'lowig
section, to become the 19th section of such article
"No citizen of any of the States or Territorie1 ofthe United
States, which are now at war with the Confederat.e States, shall,
ever be admitted to the rights of citizenship in this State ; no
such person shall vote at elections, be eligible to office, held
real estate, exercise any profe-sion or trade, be engaged in e-
chanical, mainuaeturing, (')commercialg,banlkg, insurance or other
business, under pani oi confiscation to tuse us of the State ofa
property of s ,ch Oerson as shal violate t his "'n-

. S t- t f
p1i (f (I4c o-Ias
A- i wa11s.ss e d uio l .. t ;..
Such was thel stada ol 1ou ofpponelts i the ay '> a:o- s
tho ty N-1- w at ays) 1,O 1 o' c ";o ns -!ti ,,ion 11o1 j} ?.t
as to "i'"htA o citizensUip : It i-
,:rVliinlt.io .. guarantees thle right1 of ti-'i, by j y, 1 '.s.ecu.es the>--

provides that every 0mle peson, of t.e-, of'wentv-o03e, "l
vote, who is a citizen of the ,Unted States, and who shall have
had his permanent phee of abode in Floroa for one year, and
itkiL fl t [V. l fltt S
Ser to support the constitution of the United Sttes,
and will bear true faith to he government of the United States;
n-,, all nprsons ar, (igible to office who have not been rron-
dered ineligible by the constutional amendment covering tba e
XL -1', T...,.-1-,
s.ubiect.
Sdo nt appeal :t man whose p'tdices ccrr Li,3
judJment-, and wlIoso passions do not permit his reason to "e
exer'ised,:d whose(I aiTgument consists of vulgar abuse; but we
-ask aJy p.st (nd honest thikig an to'loo upon these two

0(

60

pictures, and answer the .question,l Is the present constitution of
this State proscriptive ? WAe leave this question to be answered,
and do not conceive that any intelligent man cares to have
anything further said, to enable 1hin to reach a proper -onclu-
siol.
These have been the chief grounds (of ,objectionL to the consti-
tution. There are others which, it must be admitted, have some
foundation, but they are not such as should have led any thotught-
ful man, under all the circumstances, to have opposed it, no
matter what lmay have been his particular political views. Tf_ e
are other considerations, too, aTfectimg the very highest into st
of every individual il the State, which should have led them to
support it.

GENEL L LE GISLATION XECESSARh Y.

I invite your attention to the followin, amlono the subjects.
which will necessarily claim your attention :
1. Laws providing for reg.istr"ation1 and' the conduct ing of eleet
ions,
2. Laws for the 'organ'zat'on and government of the Legisla-
ture, and prL.cribig t owers, Cprive Id uties of its
members and officers.
3. Laws for the organization of the executive and adnminis-
trative affairs of the State, prescribing t in duties and powers of
each, the bonds to be given, &c.
4. Laws for the organization of the public school system ; the
care and distribution of school funds, and their income; the
management and sale of school, university and seminary lands.
The school system will be under the management of the Super-
intendent of education; but the management, sale, and invest-
ment of the lands and finds will necessarily require the action
of a Board, to be properly composed of at least three persons.
In most newly-organized States, the Secret,-ry of State or Sur-
veyor-General, Treasurer, and Attorney-General, constitute this
Board.
5. Laws for the organization of the internal improvement sys-
tem. This will require a thorough knowledge of the internal

61

improvement law the transactions of the Board under former
laws, and a thorough examination of the condition of the inter-
nal improvement 1und, and the lands pertaining to that depart-
Iment.
"1;. ws fbr the ,,o'anization of the Board of Commissioners
of'publbc institutions, viz: Insane, blind, and deaf and dumb
"asylum>, and St:ure prison, in pursuance of Section 20 of Article
V of the Coiit2ujion.
". Laws for +t- -., ization of the militia.
-.' Laws ivr tI I sessment and collection of taxes, and a
rev oe system ..- the State.
Laws ...r .- ,ilbrm government of public and private
c ,)or.ti2. T :icI) required by the provisions of the Con-
stitution, n :,; t(.ructive t ofI the monopolies and exclusive
!p iv ,e-es --I,.L, !'!. l- private enterprises.
10. Las : ogization of the judiciary, including the
prome Co'. t L ,? ,:lrcuit and county courts, and justices of
the p 'ce, ..'- ^: *nndc, by the greatest good of the people.
'he speedy *.. frtlmn enforcement of wholesome law, for the
.rotetion of &. te rg'it:,, and the redress of public and pri-
ate wrong> t:e, r o lesse' litigation and to diminish crime.
11. The jI:'-:-, : deemed so indispensable to the rights
and, liberties e people, should be carefully organized. The
value of0 the ju A in ;, great measure dependent upon the
1ro bitvy n -I ee ,,of its members. Jurors should be
selected .y e]:-r .ni discreet officers, according to their in-
telligence and 1i- ;f justice, and their independence and. pa-
triotism.
12". A well -ed W.vstem of practice and pleadings in the
courts should be ',-pted as soon as practicable. The bar and the
iudiciarv complain nauch of the uncertain condition of the laws
on these subject-. It is submitted whether a code similar to
that adopted hi several of the oldest States, and indeed recently
copied by England, which preserves the beauty and harmony of
the science of jurisprudence, and yet simplifies and abridges the
T0olujninous for-, uld ceremonies of antiquity, will not be serv-
iceable.
13. Laws pir iding for the payment of a just compensation

for the services of judges the county courts, justices o 1 the
peace, and all administrative officers, will e found necessary.
The payment of salaries to these oflcers 'is forbidden by the
constitution.
14. The publication of all laws an d the decisions of the Su-
preme Court should be provided for. No law of a general na-
ture should go into effect until a sufficiecnt time after its ipbli-
cation, to enable the people to know its provisions.
15. A speedy revision of all permanent sta'tuttes Iadaptd to
the condition of the State ad the requirements of the new con-
stitutioil should be made. There are some statutes, ad es:pec-
2 (~0Iflfl11eie e 8olne tlwhich. the Leo! isia-
ially those reported b a commission in I65, which the Legisla-
ture should immediately repeal or mnodift. Sorae of these are
unworthy a civilized people, and in their provisions shlockin
to the civilization of the age. After this action is taken, I would
recommend such legislation as would secure. a dig est of the laws
of the State. An ordinance of the convention in relation to this
subject directs the appointment of a commission by the Gover-
nor, and provides for an expensive prearati on and publication of
the laws, court reports., &c. I have delayed action under this
ordinance, which undoubtedly has the free of a law, until you
could consider thme matter and have an opportunit to annul or
modify its provisions so s to '(,confo to the necessities and
present resources of the State.
While I call at- .. ntio to all these suLbjets, I wouil advisu no
hasty legislation upon any of them. I think oly such lisla-
tion should be had at this session as is necessary to re-or ize
the government, to prescribe and define the duties of cabinet
officers, as near as 1may be, and such other lege'is'lation upon
general suict.s as th interest of the State im rativly de-
IU lIRCdS.
AMENDMENT OF THE CONSTITUTION.

Section 27 of Article XVI. of the Cnstitutionl) of this
bStae, is as iollowb:

Section 27. All persons who, as alien enemies under the se-
questration act of the so-called Confederate congress, and nw
resident of the State, had property sequestere and sold by any

01^

4..3

pron acting ndr a w f the so-clled Confederate States or
the State f Florih, subseuent the 10th dav of January, A.
D. 181I. and ->n ti the 1st day of May, 185, shall be em-
po wered t mi' :a ill in e equity in. the circuit court of the State,
a1( 1hatl ae entitled to obtain judgment against the State for
*, o .
a. 1 am eP sustained by said sale and detention of property.
"The co1t shall .tint the dam-ages u1pon the asssssed valu.,
tion of the property in Iuestion in the ve:i A. D Io860 with in-
terest at six per cent. itr the tinme the olner was (eWrhied oe f
the same. But all judgments against the State shall, be paid
onv in certifies of indebtedness redeemable in State lands.
Saidc certificamtes-s. g] ,, issued- t]he Goer-o,., cou'tesined
SZe Sec etarv :1 >at z ry tue C mtroiv ulon the de-
f sale haI"n' bieen" --a' e.
t L o O l t W t,

Te"ere is certainly no principle of ))" which wo, require the
State of Florida, by taxationt to pay damages to any per on,
which may have been occasioned by an illegal, odilms, and un-
just system of.onfiscation, instituted an d carried out by the ov-
ernment of the late ,o-ea-ied Coinfederate States ; and it is ques-
tionable whether organic action of this character, totally
without, and beyond the purpose for which the convention was
called, is of any legal force.
If the constitution. had required that the people of Florida
should pay the debt of Great Britain, I suppose no court would
sanction such action. When such sales were had, it was the act
of the so-called Coinfederate Government; it conferred no title
upon the purchaser, anl he is the proper party to whom the
owner of the property should look f)ir relief.
I feel satisfied that unless the I legislature shall do all in its
power to relieve the State of this burden, it will be irendeed
bankrupt; its paper will become worthless, and even the exist-
ence of the government itself may be imperilled.
It will le difficult for the State to maintain its credit with its
present deJ)t and with its legitimate expenses; and, independent
of personal interest or influence, we should see that the State
treasury should obe protected from the assaults which this clause
in our constitution justifies.
This section is not organic in its har, ter: 't defines the
powers of no department of the government, and, while I am not

04

in a condition to express any positive opn'on .:In the subject,
I am inclined to think that it is of It-no more .o'W' o :Kt.< an ordinarvya
legislative enactment.
To prevent the financial ruin which wh^i ek.^e will entail
upon the State, and to force the injured parties tI< seek legal re-
dress of those legally responsible, viz : the 1pur1a-rs at such il-
legal and void sales, I recommend that an :i-t l I :ssed which
will operate as a repeal of this section.
If the courts should hold that the secritiom in nIon is of no
more force than an ordinary act of legist '.1i1. ihiis will be suffi-
cient.' In the event, however, that such -hioI not be the case,
I recommend that the Legislature, in addir'4 n ti the 'Ot above
suggested, should pass an act to amend le constitution in this
respect, complying with the requirements of the coisritution
upon the subject of amendments.
I cannot too strongly call your attention to this matte, and I
hope 110o suggestion will induce you to hesitate to nt imm the
premises at once.
.TUjDICIAL SYSTEM.

Our judicial system r'equ(ires a more extended notice. The
organization of the Supreme Court and the Vr-icInit courts of the
State, their jurisdiction and powers, under the present constitu-
tion, (10o not difer essentially from th<1 powers and jurisdiction
exercised by these courts anterior to this time, :nd no further
legislation is necessary in respect to these (courts, except such as
may bIe necessary to prescribe the terms of the circuit court in
the several counties, and the enactment of -. general statute
making applicable to the present syste-m such laws as it is de-
sirable should be continued. The judges of the circuit and
Supreme Courts have now ample power to call etr and special
terms, but some .legislation is necessary, prescribing wmiat cases
can be heard at such terms, and the notice to .ioven to suitors
in such courts, whose causes are to be heard a:t such extra or
special terms.
A material, and, I think, a wise modifitciion oui the judicial
system of this State has been made in the vi-- i constitution
by the organization of theiv ( conutv 7 e < }.or ti ir-
V.. Z4 -t )_ ._1 .A, *ivI-i J

diction exercised by the justices ot the peace in actions of such
important character as those of forcible entry and detainer, often
involving the question of possession of homesteads and valuable
tracts of land, and too often, in fact, made .to involve, by mis-
conception of the justice, questions of title, has been, no doubt,
often the grounds of just complaint, and been the means, to say
the least, of unintentional wrono, in many cases.
Again, under the existing statutes of this State, important
questions, involving the possession of rented premises between
landlord and tenant, are subjects within the jurisdiction of jus-
tices of the peace ; and while these questions affect only the pos-
session of the property, yet this is often very important, and in-
volves large sums. Tnder the existing system, the judges of
the circuit courts are required to hold but two terms of their
courts in each county during .the year, and to require addi-
tional terms, would not give them sufficient time to dispose of
their chancery causes, and the consequence would be, without
such terms, that all parties committed by magistrates would re-
main confined, at the expense of the State, for months before their
trial.
All of these difficulties are obviated by the organization of
the county court system, and, to meet them, I respectfully sug-
ogest that acts be passed upon these several subjects investing
the jurisdiction in the county courts to try these possessory
actions, authorizing in all cases the right of appeal, subject to
the condition that the appeal shall not operate as a supersedeas.
A statute organizing this court, prescribing its terms and defi-
ning its general powers, is necessary.
This court having been invested with the powers and
duties of the probate courts, legislation is necessary to pre-
scribe the mode and manner of its practice in this respect.
There never has been in this State any statute regulating in its
detail the practice of thee probate courts, although there has
been a statute authorizing appeals from its judgments in certain
cases; and some systeni of practice must be prescribed by law
in order to arrive at uniformity in records, where appeals are
taken, as well as to have evidence in the records of the office as
to the character of the questions raised, the issues in causes, and
the judgment of the court. This court, sitting as a court of

probate, should be open at al timess, having, as it has, the en- -
tire mana-ement of quuestions cnected w it tihe :miniistratio
of estates.
In this c onllection, I w)ld also call attention 4 1 tothe fact that
the civil jurisdictio of justices of the peacet. under existing
laws, is limited to their district. I thin- that parties residing
in one section of tlhe county, and especially w-hen they reside iih
the section in which the contract, ay have been ,made, should
not be obliged to sue their debtor in a" neighboring district.
With the wise and beneficent system of exemptions, authorized
by our constitution, I think t-he creditor, in all cases, should be
afforded every means iho the speedy recovery of his claims, and
to this end I would recommend that the judge of the oiunty
court should be invested with the powers of a justice of the
peace, and that his civil jurisdiction should extend throughout
the county. The constitutional j urisdicion of this court extends
to the trial of all misdemeanors and to all civil cases where the
amount in controversy does not exceed. three hundred dollars.
I would recommend a general statute defining specifically
what shall be felonies and what misdemeanors, and-that the of-
fences most frequently committed, and which will more fre-
quently require the attention of the courts, such as larceny,
shall be embraced in the list of misdemeanors. If such legisla-
tion as this is not had, the jurisdiction for their trial must remain
in the circuit court, and, upon commitment by magistrates, the
parties accused must remain imprisoned for months, at a very
heavy expense to the State. It is true that the terms felony and
misdemeanor, as used in the constitution, in the absence of
special legislation, must receive their interpretations from the
definition attached to these terms at the common law. With
this view it might be questionable whether an offence which
was a felony anterior to the act of the Legislature, and commit-
ted before its passage, could be affected by this legislation, but,
if at the time the crime is committed, it is embraced in the list
of misdemeanors, there certainly can be no doubt that the juris-
diction will attach. The classification of crimes is a matter en-
tirely within the power of the legislative branch of the govern-
ment; and the constitution, certainly, cannot properly receive
such a construction as would prohibit the effectual exercise of

this power' in fture, to bring al oefces oft this clharacter within
the jurisdiction of this court.
n fixin the (.compensation of the County Court. ihd-ges, and in
providing the general system of its practice, every means should
be adopted to secue a court attended witth s li ttsle expense as
Spos.e.. I n a ll ,ro b a te m a tte rs, th e p a rtie s a t w h o se r e q u e st
the. srvic.s are i)'perfor d, should, as at present, pay the officer
for his labor. Ln all lcvil suits, the parties, as a ma-tter of course ,
pay the costs. I r commit nd in order to secure, certainty iln
this matter, tIat the fees should be fixed at a small amount, and(I
Ltht tie o-fcer be given :te pVer to requirIe pay-ment in ad-

"to t.e oicer and less expenseuC attending litigatmion to suitors.
UI der some circumstances, the county court judge should re-
ceive fruom the county a small compensation, for is services in
&t minia cases.
VWith legis.ation of this character, I think the county court
will ad"d to the effticency and promptness o the judicial sys-
tem, will. lessen expense to the State, and will result in great
",,',ood to the people.

EXPENSE. OF CRliTNAI PROSECUTIONS ANDI PAY OF JUIOuS AND
WITNESSES.
Immediately following a consideration of tie judicial system,

it may be well to refer to some of its incidents, not directly
connected with the organization of courts, but which, in their
results, have had a very considerable influence upon the financial
system of the State, as well as it )past credit. By reference to
the Comptroller's report for the fiscal year ending October 21,
1867, it will be found that two of the principal sources of ex-
penditure on the part of the government are as follows :
Criminal prosecutions 35,733 05
Jurors and witnesses, 22,675 54
The first' head of expenditure mentioned above embraces sim-
ply fees of justices of the peace; constables, or sheriffs perform-
inog constables' duties in criminal cases; fees of clerks of circuit
courts, and sheriffs, in connection with the trial of criminals in
the circuit court: and fees ofjailors for supporting and feeding

prisoners. It does not enibrace salaries of solicitors or other
officers. The second item of expense mentioned above, so far
as the pay ofjurors is concerned, cannot lhe materially lessened,
as a certain number of jurors must be ill attendance at e:al
term of the courts, and, in point of tfat, the pay of jurors is Lut
a very small portion of this sum, and the larger portion of( it
is expended for the pay of witnesses.
It might be natural to suppose that criminal prosecuctionUl,
costing so large a sum, would result in bringin- ait let es some-
thinuo to the State treasury ; but by reference to the head of
receipts at the treasury, we will find that the result of all this
expense incurred by the government is the collection of
$1,787.28 of fines.
Tius we have that the State of Florida expended during
the fiscal year 1867, in criminal prosecutions and for jurors and
witnesses, the sum of .58,408.59, equal to the interest for one
year at six per cent. oin nine hundred anid seventy-three thousand
dollars-a sum exceeding the landed debt of the State ; and for
all this expenditure it receives into its treasury, under th e head
of fines, the sumn of 01,787.28.
I have presented this matter to you in as strong" g a lioht as
possible. It is a matter about which we si)ould not only recfect,
but which' demands action of the most prompt haracter. I or-
der to correct an evil, we must ascertain its 'cases and remo
thelm.
The causes of this evil are:
First. The disposition of maist rates to stir up Iad enlcour:e
complaints of a trivial character, generally resulting in the dis-
charge of the accused, leaving the costs to b1e paid( by thle State.
Second. The summoning of a ,larger number of witnesses than
is necessary, and the attending feCes of constables.
Third. The long term of imprisonment, at the expense of the
State, that often follows a connmit-lmeit by the Imaistrate to
await tile trial at the next term of tlhe circuit court.
Fourth. The general insolvency of parties convicted of off.eces
and fined, and their confinement in idleness in jail for a long
term after conviction.
The first and second ctuses (n, in a great mCeasure, e re-
noved by a proper exercise of the power vested in the Executive,

69

and I assure yoU, without indicating at length the means or the
policy by which it ca('n he accomplished, that I shall use all the
authority vested in me to counteract this crying evil.
The third cause we Will 1 remedied by the organization of the
county court system, which will afford the means of a speedy
trial in all these cases, and I would recommend that the fees of
officers in criminal prosecutions he reduced one-half.
The removal of the fourth and chief cause can only he effected
by a radical change, which will not only result in saving a large
amount to the State, lbut which. will accomplish, in a great
measure, onfe of the first objects of punislhment-the reformation,
and the inculcation of habits of inldustrious and systematic labor
with the criminally. That (hane will be te establishment of a

PENITENTIA RlY.

We (d not deem it necessay to uarue at any length any
question. relative to thle propriety of tbhe penitentiary system,
except its economy as a system of punislnemnt. There can be
HO 4t IL 1J
o doubt that it is the )best that lhas ever been devised.
ln(der the present system, the State has really been unable to
ish its rimils. To p e the in jail, has simply resulted
in daily expense without the lii(st '(remote )l)robablility of a p)ay-
llelfl(t 1 V 0 1
Iienut of ines im1111osed(; te consl'equence has been that the Gov-
(Tlerr has ft und1( it necessary to) exercie the lpardoning power to
save the State fr-om )ankrupt cy, :l while tills coursee lias re-
sulted(, o dou)r, in saving pea ps csid erable sius, yet it las
at the sanm time resulted( in leasing the criminall without
really adequate puninil ,t for the offience. Crime must be
pun.iisI.ed or Os(.ietty cannotI be m aint:aine1d.
A penitentiary not only answers all the purposes of society, iM
the punishment land re)rmationi o tiose who violate the laws,
but- instead of bleingc an expenx'se to the <''overinme(nit, it (an readily
maintain itself, and be 1Imade a source of income.
WAithout any a(cnurte information on the subject, -we may
suppose that there is at least an average of one hundred persons
per day, throughout the t year, supported throughout the entire
State, at the expense of tie Stat, in idleness.
T~ costt o(f imaina~iiinL thiT nher er dayV, under the rres-
Si.
9

ent fee bill amounts to sixty dolls per day, or' about 1,50(
per year. We think th" any person at all funiliar wit the ae-
tual cost of maintaining one hundred men, with a)bsolute neces-
saries, would not estimated a greater sum thaIn 20 per day,
equal to the sumn of 7,300 for the maintenance of oneil hudre
men Ior a year. The difference in these snus s i 12, 000 a sun
equal to the interest at 7 er cent. 81 74,000. Thle r t of
this is that the establishment of a penitetiary without
ormgmlmg in an ii(ome of one (cent, would save to the State the
sum of 812,000. It is true that no estimate is here made for the
nay of keepers tt .,,,
pay of keepers ut this expense would e but little, and would
not materially modify what is stated ,aove.
This is considering the matter i vs verv worst as.ect : that i
to say5, uplonl tahe hasi that the convict does nothing If, how-
ever, on the other hand, we inaug'uratel a joicious system, it
.liay ble made a source of profit, So early as 1P in oe the
States of the iUniotn, where the lnumibe of convicts in t'he )peni-
tentiary was not very large, its account was tl.u :
Result of labor of convicts, 20,204- 55
Expenses, cost raw material. &c., 13,000 00

Gain, 204 55
It is to be hoped that the State may 1be able to accomplish
something in this respect, and your thoroughlt consideration of
the subject is respectfully requested.
Should your efforts to this end be successtid, we will have
accomplished a great deal for our State. We hope to secure a
suitable'site, and buildings and grounds for the purpose, at but
little, if any, expense. I would recoimmlend the passage of a
joint resolution requeston ing Congres to pass an act which will
place the arsenal at Chattahoochee at the disposal of the State
for this purpose.
INTERNAL IMPR IOVEMENITS.

Early in the history of the State a system of internal improve-
ments was projected, which was in the highest degree credita-
ble,'and which should be completed at the earliest practicable
period.
This system contemplated a line of railroad from Jacksonville,

71
,I

,on the St. Johns river, through the State, west to Pensacola, the
finest harbor on the Gulf of Mexico; and a line of railroad from
IFernandinja,j south t)o Tan1pa Bay alnd Charlotte Harbor. This
W"as a :ma'nifiet con option, a worty te _st'. ring care
and liberal consideration of the State. It was based on a grant
of lands f'om Con(ress, suiicient, with udent manoment allnd
Roperr appliance., to insre its consummation. It was arrested
by the rebellion, a t is one of the mose inscrutable mysteries
of that great political blunder al. legal crime, that a State so
indebted fo CongreSional munificence and so dependent upon
national thvor, should have consenvited to a -meas-ure illnsuring its

On)e of the results of the rebellion was the arresting this great
work when half accomplished, and the forfeiture of the lands
upon which it was Lbased. And here the present government of
"the State finds the Ipject. : 1 The work half done, the companies
who undertoolk it banru.pt, the grant of iands forfeited.
Connected withhis system, and by the action of the Le)isla-
ture involved 111 it, inl mH 1hidint Him'-OpnerlV, was k1te lu(i.l-
cent grant of swamp :d ovrwed Lnd, mot to near
fifteen million acres.
This grant should have been appropriated without previous
incumbrani e to .he connecti, the waters of the St. Johns and
In di1an river, and Bis'aye Bay, ope.,o. naviogation froi the
he waters of te St. ,J obs river. throi'1i the Kissinme to
-Lake Okechoe ; the improvement of the O(klawaha a:nd Peace
Creek, and thI.rrou-gh thei- l', l : e iu 1ernLL'ediate lakes., openg

ing Lake Oke be wit the Calooshatchee and Charlotte
Harbor and the draining 1he Ever1ldes ; the imp-rovement of
"the Apalachicola river, and draining it waps, 0., c.
1' am not sutnciently acfainted with the details of the cum-
)110 Jliaios wici now exist in regardL to te railroad land grants,
te swan, land imd., and :lands, and the present status of the

't-. fh ti-, b-a r

Sdoubt if it will be possible., without a. thorough investigation
into t-lhese silljfcts, an aL extended n, ,'IsidTtio
-) hee -a a,, e-xenided_. vCareful com-!d cratio73

72

of them, which will require more time than now' remains to you
of this session, to arrive at any safe conclusion. a:s to the legis-
lation necessary. I therefore recommend thai sreps be taken to
secure a full report, to 1,e carefully prepared wviih such recom-
mendations as shall !he found necessary, in relation to these mat-
ters, and submitted to the Legislature at its -sin, in January
next.
FREE LABOR.

The past three vears have demonstrated -:s! i.:- t ,orily to mv
mind the practicability of free labor and i- :. -intages over
slave labor. Under the most unfavorable ci,'en.tances, with-
out adequate security and prot'ction, in the .iJ 01of prejudice
and demoralization consequent upon the wa,. Tih 1 rcc.man lias
given sufficient assurance of IS capacity a01 i .'11 icatio:'i or
self-subsistence and freedom.
Owi.ng to the want of capitA on( theA ;' ,i' our planters,
which made it impossible for them to p.yt heir !; ilers in .m.ey
as the work was done and neces*ia.d s"].' n 1;,- i ti.o c -.-
tracts which produced constanT inisuiilerstaJ in'. i.,etwe'n the
laborers and their employees ; and wlhen, tlnI 'ih ad ssons,
a failure of the crops deprived both parti',. Ut 1o exe-ct,
reward of their lbor, much discouraQemyn_ ..L dktap>oi pt-
ment naturally arose. Wiitiout seeking for ,- i, 1u.- of
this failure-the inexperience of those wlho v.,.,, f.is i. .urt-
inl a new1 systemW of ior without entirely dti- .-:'i tL' ide as
and1 prejudices of the old system the whole :i t was sought.
to be laid upon the inability or tIhe unwill-iIC.S olf the fid-
men to work. Time and facts have proved r'li, L;:r'e to )e
unmerited, and, as each class begins more c,:.t-v ,o a,,ehend
its relations to the other, to understand its ow\\" l' ai tions 0ind
its own interests, a better understanding and -,-v 'nutuml cO.
fidence is growing up and promising excel,.,, ,.',ults in the.
future.
Where the freedmen have best consulted Li-r ,interests, and
located themselves and their families upon ii:.,.Ii. of tleir own,
the result has been m)nost satisfactory, and plo-ot'd that their
willingness to work and their capacity to bw..,oe industrious,
intelligent, and prosperoiis citizens, is beyond i :, ,ueston. The

'I )

homestead system, founded under our constitution, is the basis
upon which we should build up a permanent civilization, and if
this system is properly carried out we shall soon possess a large
class of small farmers, self-reliant and independent, building up
their own fortunes, and adding to the wealth and prosperity of
the State.
OFFICE '1S OF THE LEEISLATUR E.

In order to secure an economical admini41"strationl of the gov-
ermnent, we must be carefully to prevent an unnecessary expend-
iture of the public finds in every particular. Some legislation
prescribing the number of employees Mi each House is necessary
to accomplish this object. The example set by the constitu-
tional convention on thi, subject was not worthy of conmiKInda-
tion or imitation, and this first Legislature under the new con-
stitution should establish a proper system, which shall be re-
garded by the future Assemblies, and relieve thm of the annov
ance ad embarrassment attedig a reasonable dm for
personal patronage. The SLnt can really coik-t it- busi-
ness with a Secretary, -As itant Secretary, E1rolling Clerk,
Engrossig Clerk1 Ilecordig Clcrk, Sergeat-at-A n es-
e se1 eAr-se en officers. The House does not need more th!n n
RiLi ec F( '-11 IE,1CI oeiiVtc e a.' L -, re 0 (- ) ... ...
Chi-f Cl-erk, Assistant C, rk -.. E llig Clerk, Engr ing Clerk,
Recordii'. Clerk, Serg]a.tt--Arms, and Messenger. I recom-
med4 that an act be passed restricting the employees in each
"" L .k. Ai
House to the officers specified aove, and that compensation 1be
limited to the numbe- of days actually employed ih labor. I
shall not de're to ar ay legislation making unnecessary
expenditures of the public u ,l tdor these purposes.
SPE (ULATIN INY EVIDEXCES O INDEIUlTEDj)_NESS OF THIE STATE.
Officers of te revenle, whose duty it is to protect tlhe credit

of thlie State, have, within thee 1ast two years, if my information
is correct, impaired it very seriously by an organized system of
speculation at the expense of the warrant-holder.
Tlie tax-assessor, receiving large amounts of money from the
revenue, instead of paying it to the government, buys warrants
and certificates at sixty, seventy-five, or eighty cents on the dol-
lar, and settles his accounts with the government with his war-
rants at par.

S4-

The revenue otfthe State collected in 1866, froim various s'ourcc s,
amounted to i161,000. This gives us about ,32,000 a. th profit
to the assessor. This does not, however, disclosee th whole fct; the
same state of things. exist as to county taxes. Most o, tois 'otit is
madee a t the expense of hnest ulcers of the govern-ment, an
they should unite in war upon such .rascality.

FALSE KfETUKNS.

Some uniform system as to the valuation of property, when
returns are made to the tax-assessor, should be devised. The
valuation of property is now very unequal. Delay in collecting
taxes and paying them over to the government beyond the time
when they should be paid, should be prohibited. I recommend
such legislation as will make it a criminal offense on the part of
any revenue officer to purchase, directly or indirectly, any evi-
dence of the indebtedness of the State, whether it be receivable
in the payment of taxes or. not, or whether he purchases it with
government fimds or is own. I also recommend the pass
of an :ct making it a criminal once the piat (of the of r,
whose business it will be to make assessments, to receive or a-
prove a, false return, as well "as making it a highly punishable
offence on the part ofth the tx-paye to render ,a thse return. In
addition, we ineed such legislation as will make any unnecessary
delay ti payingover lmonicby the revenue officers a. c Hinal
oftence.
In order that the people mIay know thie law on these subjects.
and that the subitject may be brought to their attention continu-
ally, I would require: a copy, of' these acts to bte postal in the
fice of each officer of( the revenue.
Iin addition to this legislation, I would recoluendl that the
"acts should require the circuit, court judges to ch'ari'e the
grand juries of the several counties especially upon, these sub-
jects.
STAY-LA\W.

Without discussimg" a:t legthl the propriety of a stay-law, I
would recommend that the Legislature pass an act repealing
ordinance No. 2 of the late convention, entitled An
ordinance for the relief of tlhe people of Florida." I think, how-

ever, that the operati-on of the repealing statute should be sus-
pended until the first of November next, so that another crop
may come in and enable execution debtors to settle their debts
without the necessity of a levy and -resultino' expenses and sacri-
tice.
c.'ON VENT ION T'PAX.

It will be the duty of the Conmptroller of Public Accounts to
direct the levy of the special tax, authorized by the ordinance,
to provide the means of dfrayving t1he expenses of the late State
convention, and I do not think it; necessary to say anything
filirther upon this subject.

FEDERAL MI LITA ,Y FORCE.

The institution of a civil govermCent in the midst of the do-
imoralization arising f'om a pr'otr aced civil war, in any co-oumu-
nity and under any circumst :ces, is necessarily attended with
difficulties. And Vhen, as wi our case, is :added thle necessity of
entforcin1g rces)pet for aln entirely new princi ple of government,
"which is distasteli and contrary to t0h prejudices of the people,
it becomes doubly difficult and hazardous. It will be too much
to expect a quiet assent to the enforcement of civil law, and a
reard by all classes for O the rights of the people under all the
peculiar circumstances of our case ; especially since some of the
opposition are threatenin-g to organize tt render i possible the
execution of the laws, and the col-letion of tie revenues of the
State. In view of these facts, and the further consideration that
the small band of remnainining Indians are being resorted to to
join refugees fromo. justice, both black and white, now conr'egoat-
ing i South Florida, to assist n11 depredations upon111)011 peaceful cit-
izens, it becomes us to exercise every caution, and secure the nee-
essary plhysic l force to insure obedience to the laws before vio-
lence shall be resorted to. To tins end I desire that the Leo'is-
lature should take thfe necessary steps to secure the continuance
in the State of the present military force, and an additional force
of two hundred mounted men as a police force, subject to the
call of the Executive. Until we shall have time to organize and
discipline our militia, it. will be necessary to the peace and tran-
1quillity of the State, and the security of the government.

"7 6

STATE MILITIA.

A State militia system is contemplated by the Constitution
and ample power is granted to render it effective and reliable.
It will be necessary for you to enact such laws as will enable the
Adjutant General to proceed as rapidly as possible in organizing
this important arm of the government, and in doing this, read
must be had to the peculiar situation and condition of the people,
and the circumstances of thle State. The Federal Government
will undoubtedly supply the necessary arms when11 ever our organ-
ization is perfected.
UNITED STATES Di1SE
In the year 1862 the iUited States go vernment levied( a direct
tax iupon the real estate of the country t fr war lpurpoes. The
loyal States promptly assume(l and paid each its allotted portion
and relieved the Federaovtilement f the necessity of collect-
ing it tlhroILu its owni agencies, for Vhich the State s received an
allowance of 15 per cent. LThe Sttcs in re(bellion did not, of
course, attempt, to pay this tax, and olv ; portion of it has ever
been collected(. The amount of that tax apor'ioned to Florida
wns in round numbers ^77O,,. A, small portion of this was col
j i_
leCted by officers of the L t[d States, and the remainder is still
unpaid. It will be necessary to take soim steps to adjust this
debt, or it wili be collected underr tlhe wisuimmary process provided
by the act of Congress. f paid the State, it falls equally
upon 1nll the property oftthe State; if collected by the Unite
States, it falls upon the real estate alone.

THE ,STATE, FINANCES.

I. herewith submit the reports of the State Comptroller and
the Treasurer, for the year 1 ,67, from which h will be gathered the
financial condition of thee State in November of that year. The
entire debt of the State is shown to have been at that time $523,-
856.95, having b)eeln increased fiOlm the previous year, $153,-
239.95. Of this debt, 1.95,28,19. 3 iT due thle school and. semina-
ry funds, and 845,000 to the internal improvement fund; leav-
'ing outst"-ding 283,61C.32, November 1st, 1867. This is an
inheritance from the past which we ,must provide for, and which,.

S4

with our other obligations, must be met. Our constitution ad-
mits of an efficient system of taxation and revenue, and it is our
duty to see that it is perfected and administered, and every ob-
ligation of the State faithfully discharged.

GENTLEMEN OF THE SENATE :
Upon you devolves the important duty of passing upon and
approving or rejecting the appointments to office made by the
Governor. In making selections for the various offices under
the grovern-ment, I shall endeavor to apply the Jelfersonian test
of honesty nd capability;" and I shall also feel it my duty to
iinl those who are not opposed to the principle of republican
government, or whose prejudices, arising from education or halit,
do not unfit them for the equal and partial administration
"of the laws. Under our constitution, the rights of the colored
mani are in all respects the same as those of the white lma,
while there is a class of our citizens, more or less intelligent,
who believe that republican government is designed exclusively
for white men. It is obvious that a person imbued with the
latter idea. is mnfit to administer an office where he is required to
act impartially between blacks and whites. It will be my pur-
pose to so discriminate as to appoint no man who is thus disquali-
fied to act justly.
Again, under our constitution, in addition to the ordinary
crimes whieh constitute impeachable offences, drunkenness and
other dissipations, gambling, or any conduct detrimental to good
morals," are enumerated. It will be my duty, under my oath of
office, as well as from a sense of moral obligation, to present
only such persons for your approval as are free from these vices,
as well as otherwise fit; and if I should inadvertently do other-
wise, it becomes your duty, promptly and unhesitatingly, to reject
the nominations. It is of the first importance that this rule be
regarded by all branches of the government, and that no drunk-
nird, gambler, or grossly immoral man, be suffered to occupy an
official position under this government.
I invite vour carefull scrutiny of my appointments, and desire
you to share with me the responsibility of them.

78

GENTLEMEN OF THE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY :
It is a period in our history which calls for the exercise of the
most exalted patriotism, and the most enlarged and comprehen-
sive philanthropy-taking counsel of the past only for admoni-
tion and instruction in the future. Though peace is restored,
and civil government admitted-though slavery is abolished,
and freedom and republican equality conceded-though, nomi-
nally, the situation is accepted by all classes of the people,
it is useless to attempt to disguise the fact that there is a latent
spirit of hostility cherished by a portion of the people, which is
inconsistent with the future peace and prosperity of the State.
Quietly and insidiously an organization is being effected to
embarrass the administration of republican government, and
bring dishonor upon the State, in order to restore the reign.of
those in whose hands the State has been desolated and ruined
But I am daily in receipt of such assurances of confidence and
support from leading men of intelligence, character, and posi-
tion i the State, who have not heretofore co-operated with us,
that I have the confident hope that, with prudence, firmness,
impartiality, and strict justice in the discharge of our various
duties, we may sufficiently unite the discordant elements of so-
ciety to establish the ascendancy of law, and command for the
government the respect of all who prefer peace, prosperity, se-
curity, and good government, to disorder, alienation, strife, and
111ri e.
Noo State in the Union presents superior inducements for im-
migration, and the profitable investment of capital, than Florida.
With an unrivalled climate for salubrity, health, and comfort;
an area of territory larger than: the State of New York; a sea-
coast equal in extent nearly to the whole of the Atlantic States,
abounding with harbors and inlets; with navigable waters suscep-
tible of extension, with little expense, to fifteen hundred miles
in length; with a railroad system projected of a thousand miles in
extent, near four hundred miles of which is completed ; with mil-
lions of acres of unoccupied but fertile lands, which can be had for
the occupation and payment of the veriest trifle; with forests of
pine, live-oak and cedar without limit; with lakes and streams,
abounding in fish, and forests abounding in 'game; with a free

79

government, that respects alike the rights of all; a free school
and a homestead system, which welcomes alike the poor as well
as the rich-if only we will appreciate and inmprove the advan-
tages we possess, Florida may speedily become one of the wealth-
iest and most thriving States of the Union.
That we may all so acquit ourselves of our official obligations
as to receive the blessings of the Most High on our labors, and
secure the highest Lood of the State and the people, is my most
earnest desire, anl 'the end for which I shall labor and vive von
my hearty co-open i on.
[For accoml. : moments l: ; see Appendi..

On motion, the joint meeting adjourned.
Iule waived, Mr. Butler moved that 2000 copies of the
Governor's message be printed for the use of the Assembly,
and the respective portions of the message be referred to the
appropriate committees.
iRule waived, without previous notice, Mr. Greene of Manatee
offered the following :
A bill to be entitled an act to incorporate. the Suwannee
SSteamboat Company;
WThich was received and placed among l;o orders of the day.
On motion, the Assembly took a recess until 4 o'clock P. M.
to-day.

FOUR O'CLOCK, P, M.
The Assembly resumed its session.
Squorum present.
A, J. T. Wright of Columbia county, ca n:: forward and was
swor n by the Speaker as Recording Clerk of the Assembly,
ha -ing acted from the 8th of June last.
The following revised Standing Cornmittees were announced
by the Speaker:

STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE ASSEMBLY.
Committee on Judiciary.
Messrs. STEARNS, RANEY,
McKINN ON, FORTUNE,
HODGES.

. 80

On Education.

Messrs.

PEARCE,
BOGFE,

OLIVE1R,
MOORE,

HARMAN.

On Finance and Taxation.

Messrs.

HARRIS, RANEY,
CHESHIRE. THOMPSON,
GREENE of Manatee.

On Claims.

Messrs.

BUTLER,
SCOTT,

GRAHAM.

LEE,
OLIVER,

On Corporations.

Messrs.

VARNUM,
McKINNON,

OLIVER,
MILLS,

WHITE.

On City and County
Messrs. PEARCE,

PONS,

RODGERS.
On Militia.

Organiza tions.
BOSTICK,
STONE,

Messrs.

BUTLER,
POWELL.

MELVIN.

HARMAN,
WATSON,

SOn Legislative Expenses.

Messrs.

AUSTIN,
BRADWELL,

ERWIN.

RODGERS,
BOGUE,

On Agriculture.

Messrs.

STONE,
STEWART.

BOSTICK,
WALLS,
URQUHART.

On Public Printing.

Messrs.

AUSTIN,
KEENE,

WALLS.

PITTMAN,
OSGOOD,

81

4

On ]E7mrolled Bills.

Mlessrs.

URQUHART,
OSGOOD,

MOORE,
CRUCE,

ROBINSON.

On Engrossed( Bills.

Messrs.

WATSON,
McMIILLAN,

HILL,
SCOTT,
MELVIN.

On Privileges and Elections.

Messrs.

BUTLER,
BOGUE,

HARRIS.
McAULEY,

FORTUNE.

On Ntate Institutions.

Messrs.

Miessrs.

AUSTIN,
PEARCE,

VARNU3M,
WELLS.

RANEY,
FILER,
LIVINGSTON.

STEARNS,
HARRIS,

HARMAN.

On Public Lands.

Messrs.

GREENE of Manatee,
STEARNS,

BRADWELL,
McKINNON,

On IIndian Atir's.

Messrs.

FILER,
DELANEY,

(4GEENE of Manatee,
HALL,

POWELL.

On Comm212erce

andi~ .P~VUa~y~qateom.

WHITE,
VARNUM

HILL.

FILER,
COX,

On motion of Mr. Austin, two hundred (200)
Standing Committees were ordered to be printed
the Assembly.
Rule waived, Mr. Butler offered the following :

copies
for the

of the
use of

F

Messrs.

On, .Railroados.

Resolved, Thf1at the oath prescribed by the Constittiion lto
members of the Legislature, be entered mi the Journal book of
this Assembly, and that the m embers subscribe to the said oath
by counties;
Which was read and adopted.
-L
ORDERS OF THE )DAY.

Majority resolution relative to the contested election in St.
John's county,
Was read the second time, rule waived, read the third time,
and put upon its passage.
The vote was:
Yeas-Mr. Speaker, le A, Messv. i B]oguie, Butler, Cox Cruce
DeLaney, Fortune, Graham, Grccne of Manatee, Hall, Harman,
Hill, Hodges, Keene, Livingston, McMilli, Mlills, Osgood, Pow-
ell, Scott, Simpson, Thompson, Varnum, Walls, and VWels-26
Nays-Messrs. Bostick, Bradwell Harris, McAuley, McKin-l
non, Moore, Oliver, Pittman, and iRaney-9.
So the resolution was adopted.
A bill to be entitled an act to enforce mechanics" and laborer's
liens on buildings and other property,
Read first time, ordered for a second reading on to-morrow.
A bill to be entitled an act to establish a uniform system of
pilotage,
Read first time, ordered for a second reading on to-morrow.
Senate resolution asking protection of the United States against
domestic violence in this State,
Was received from the Senate, and on motion of Mr. Butler.
taken up.
Read and adopted.
On motion, the Assembly adjourned until to-morrow morning.
10 o'clock.

THURISDAY, July 9th, 1868.

The Assembly met pursuant to adjournment.
A quorum present.
On motion of Mr. Greene, of Manatee, the reading of vester-
day's Journal was dispensed with.
On motion of Mr. McKinnon, Mr. Filer was excused from
attendance on the Assembly until Monday next on account of
sickness.
Mr. Hodges offered the following:
Resolved, That the Assembly appoint a committee of three to

,3

examine into the subject of the attaches ofuir body, and report
forthwith whethethe here are more than needed.
AMr. Walls offered the following as a substitute:
Resolved, That the Speaker appoint a committee of three to
take into consideration the propriety of reducing the number of
attaches of the Assembly;
"Which was adopted in lieu of the original, and Messrs. VWals,
Boguie, and Oliver, appointed said committee.
Rule waived, Mr. Harman moved that one hundred copies of
the State constitution be printed for the ise of the Assembly.
AOgreed to.

ORDERS OF THE DAY.

A bill to be entitled an act to empo-wer the- count- and court
clerks to practice law,
Read first time, ordered for a second reading on to-morrow:
A bill to be entitled an act to incorporate the Suwannee Steam-
boat Company,
Read first time, ordered for a second reading on to-m orroAw;
A bill to be entitled an act fixing' the sales' dayv in the State
of Florida,
Read the second time, ordered to be engrossed for a third
reading on to-morrow.
A bill to be entitled an act for the protection of the citizens of
Florida travelling on public conveyances,
Read the second time, ordered engrossed for a third reading
on to-morrow; and
A bill to be entitled an act to establish a uniform system of
pilotage,
Read the second time, and on motion, referred to Committee
on Commerce and Navigation.
Rule waived, on motion of 1Mr. Harman, all bills of a general
nature were ordered to be printed before their second reading.
A bill to be entitled an act to enforce mechanics' and labor-
er's liens on buildings and other property,
Read the second time, and on motion, referred to Committee
on Judiciary; and
A bill to be entitled an act concerning the appointment of in-
spectors of logs and timber, and defining the duties of said in-
spectors,
Read the second time, and on motion, referred to Committee
on Commerce and Navigation.
Rule waived, M-r. Raney moved that all bills which have not
been referred to committees, be read by their title, and referred
to appropriate committees.
Agreed to, and the following bills read by their title:

84

A bill to be entitld an act fixing the sales days in the State
of Florida,
Referred to Committee on Judiciary; and
A bill to be entitled an act for the protection of the citizens of
Florida travelling on public conveyances,
Referred to Committee on Railroads.
On motion, the Assembly took a recess until 4 o'clock this day.

FOUR O'CLOCK, P. IM.
The Assembly resumed its session.
A.quorum present.
The followino- messaogewas received from the Senate
SENATE _CHAMBER,
TALLAHASSEE, FLA., July 9th, 1868.
HoNxW. W AW. MOORE, Speaker of Assembly:
SIR-I am directed to transmit to the Assembly the within
joint resolution, for the action of the Assembly.
Very repectiflly,
SWM. LEE APTHORP,
Secretary of Senate.
The resolution was read, rule waived, on motion read second
and third times, and put upon its passage;
The vote was :
Yeas-Mr. Speaker, Messrs. Austin, iBou, Butler, Cox, De-
laney, Graham, Greene of Manatee, Hall, Harman, Harris, Hill,
*Hodges, Keene, Lee, Livingston, Mills, Moore, Osgood, Powell,
Rodgers, Scott, Stearns, Thompson, Varnum, Walls, Wells, and
White-28.
Nays-Messrs. Bradwell, lMcAuley, Oliver, I:mey, Stone, and
Watson-6.
The resolution passed.
The Committee to whom was referred the Resolution relative
to officers and attaches of the Assembly beg leave to
REPORT.
That they have examined carefully into the number of officers
and attaches heretofore chosen by the House of Assembly, and
find them to be as follows: A Speaker, a Chief Clerk, two As-
sistant Clerks, one Engrossing Clerk, one Enrolling Clerk, one
Recording Clerk, a Seargenatat-Arms, a Messenger, and a Door-
Keeper, with such assistance in the Engrossing and Enrolling de-
partments as may be required from time to time to dispatch
business. Such assistance appointed by the Chief Clerk and re-

ceived pay only for actual services rendered, and we cannot see
the propriety of appointing any more than above mentioned,
except perhaps the appointment of two Pages, and in order to
reduce the expenses of the State as suggested by His Excellen-
cy the Governor, in his message, we respectfully recommend the
adoption of the following resolutions :
1st. Resolved, That the officers of the Assembly be as follows,
viz: A Speaker, a Chief Clerk, two Assistant Clerks, one En-
rolling Clerk, one Engrossing Clerk, one Recording Clerk, a
Chaplain, one Sergeant-at-Arms, a Messenger, a Door-Keeper.
The present incumbents to retain the positions to which they
have been chosen, and the Assembly to select two Pages.
2d. Resolved, That all officers not stated in the above resolu-
tion be discharged, to receive such pay for the time served as
may be allowed by Committee on Legislative Expenses.
All of which is ,respectfilIly submitted.
F. N. B. OLIVER,
G. W. BOGUE,
Committee.
Which was read, and on motion passed over informally for
the present.
Rule following:
A bill to be entitled an act authorizing the county of Duval to
raise by taxation, a suml sufficint to build a suitable court house
and jail ;
Which wVas received and placed amono' the orders of the day.
Rule waived, Mr. Greene of Manatee, offered the following:
A resolution requesting the Register of State lands, to fur-
nish the Committee on Public Lands, with a report of all lands
disposed of between the dates of January 10th, 1861, and Octo-
ber 25th, 1865.
Which was read.
Rule waived, read the second and third times, and put upon)
its passage.
The vote was :
Yeas-Mr. Speaker, Messrs. Austin, Bogue, Bostick, Brad-
Swell, Butler, Cox, DeLaney, Fortune, Graham, Greene of Man-
atee, Hall, Harman, Harris, Hill, Hodges, Keene, Lee, Livingston,
McAuley, McKinnon, McMillen, Melvin, Mills, Moore, Oliver,
Osgood, Pittman, Powell, Raney, Rodgers, Scott, Simpson,
Stearns, Thompson, Varnum, Walls, Watson, Wells, and
White-40.
Resolution passed.
Rule waived,. Mr. Rodgers offered the following:
A bill to be entitled an act, the better to secure protectionn to

86

life, liberty, and property, in the State of Florida, and for other
purposes;
Which was received and placed among the orders of the day.
On motion, the Assembly adjourned until ten o'clock to-mor-
row moving.

FRIDAY, July

10th, 1868.

The Assembly met pursuant to adjoulrnment.
A quorum present.
Prayer by the Chaplain.
The reading of yesterday's Journal was, on motion, dispensed
with.
On Motion, iMr. Watson01 was excused frolm attendance on
the Assembly to-day.
On motion of Mr. Greene of Manatee, the vote taken yester-
day on the resolution relative to public lands, was reconsidered.
Mr. Pons, without previous notice, offered the following :
A bill to be entitled an act to incorporate the Stevedore Be-
nevolent Association,
Received, and placed among the orders of the day.
Mr. McAuley presented petitions from sundry citizens of Polk
and Hillsborough counties;
Which were read, and on motion, referred to Committee on
Claims.
Mr. Melvin presented a petition from citizens of Wnashingtoni
county;
Which was read and referred to Committee on Claims.
Rule waived, without previous notice the following bill was
introduced by Mr. Varnum :
A bill to be entitled an act to alter the rules of evidence in
this State;
Which was placed among the orders the day.
Rule waived, Mr. Cox offered a resolution relating to roads
and bridges, placed among the orders of the day.
Mr. Raney offered a resolution relative to committee rooms of
the Assembly;
Which was read and adopted.
Rule waived, Mr. Mills offered the following:
Resolved, That the Committee on the Judiciary be instructed
to report a bill making railroad companies liable for the destruc-
tion and injury to stock in the county where the injury was com-
mitted ;
Which was read and adopted.
Rule waived, Mr. Walls offered the following:
Resolved, That the Sergeant-at-Arms be, and he is hereby, au-

theorized to furnish fifty-four paper weights, and fifty-four sand
boxes, for the use of the Assembly ;
Which was read and adopted.
"Rule waived, without notice Mr. Pns offered the following:
A Bill to be entitled an act to authorize the Board of Port
Wardens of the port of Pensacola to appoint stevedores, and
for other purposes,
Was received, and placed among the orders of the day.
Rule waived, on motion, Mr. Bogue w-as excused from attend-
ance on the Assembly until Tuesday next, owing to sickness in
his family.
Rule waived, on mIotion, the Sergeant-at-Arms was authorized
to furnish the members andf officers of the Assembly with can-
tles eacli day.
Tile following miessao e was received from the Senate:

SENATE CHAMBER,
TALLAIInASSEE, FLA., July 9th, -1808.
Hlox. W. H. MOORIE, Speaker of Assembly:
Smi-I am directed to inform you that the Senate has to-day
passed the enclosed joint resolution, requesting the Governor to
ask for the grant to the State, or for the use thereof, of the Uni-
ted States Arsenal at Chattahoochee.
I am, very respectfully,
your obedient servant,
W\M. L. A.PTHiR(or, Secretary.

Which was r?10ad, and the resolution placed among l the orders
of the day.
ORDERS OF THE DAY.
Rule waived, without notice, the foil owini bill was introduced
by v Mr. Walls:
A bill to be entitled an act in relation to fees of the clerks of
the circuit court, in this State;
Which was read, rule waived, read thie second time by its title,
:t* i on mo-tion, referred to Committee on Judiciary.
Mr. Austin, without previous notice, was allowed to intro-
(duce the following:
A bill to be entitled an act requiring -a jail to be built in eiachl
county in tlis State,
Was read, rule waived, read the second time bv its title, :nd
on motion, referred to Committee on State Institutions.
A bill to be entitled an act authorizino- the county of D)uval
to raise by taxation a s s sufficient to build a suitable court-
house and jail,'
Read first time, rule waived, read the second time by its title,

88

and on motion, referred to Committee on City :nd County Or-
ganizations.
Resolution relating to roads and bridges,
Read, and on motion, referred to Committee on Corporations.
A bill to empower the county and court clerks to practice
law,
Was read first time, rule waived, read second time by its title
and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
te
A bill to be entitled an act to secure protection to life, liber-
ty, and property in the State of Florida, and for other purposes,
NWas read first time, rule waived, read second time by its title
and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
A bill to be entitled an act to incorporate ithe Suwannee Steam-
boat Company,
Read first time, rule wai-ved, read secondI time by its title, and
referred to the Committee on Commerce and Navigation.
A bill to be entitled an act to incorporate the Stevedore Be-
nevolent Association,
Read first time, rule waived, read the secondd time by its title,
land oin motion referred to Co Cormittee Coporattio ns.
A bill to be entitled a n act tio alter th rules of evidence, in
tli> Stated
Read lirst time, rule waived, read the second time b its title.
"and on motion referred to Commitiee on Judiciary.
The report of the committee relative to the officers ind the
attaches of the Assembly, was taken up.
Mr. Walls ored the f ollowii n iy rj :
r. Speakcr-Y our committee appointed to i nqire into the
propriety of redIcing the attaches of this THouse, )be leave to re-
port that they do not consider it within the province of any
committee, created by this house, to inquire into -the I'proi-,iety of
any subject matter that a majority have passed upon, as this
House has, done by the voluntary selection of its :ttaches.
Your committee, therefore, asl to beI dischaeed from tihe
further consideration of the subject.
Yerv respe ctfuldly,
illy _T ri^
1. 1. \\ ALLS.

Which was read, and the two reports referred to the Conmmit-
tee on Legislative Expenses.
The joint Senate resolution requesting the G-ovrcnorto ask for
the grant to tlhe State, or for the use thereof, of the 'United States
Arsenal at Chattahoochee,
i rea. u t ie, rule waed, tread second nd third times,
and put upon its passage;
The vote was:
Yeas-Mir. Speaker, Messrs. Austin,' stick, Bradwell, -Butler,

4

Cox, Delaney, Fortune, Graham, Greene of Manatee, Hall, Har-
man, Harris, Hill, Hodges, Keene, Lee, Livingston, McAuley,
McKinnon, McMillin, Melvin, Mills, Moore, Oliver, Osgood, Pitt-
man, Pons, Powell, Raney, Rtodgers, Scott, Simpson, Stearns,
Stone, Thompson, Yarnum, Walls, Wells, :and White-40.
Na.ys-N one.
The resolution passedi-title as stated.
On motion, the Assembly took a recess until 4 o'clock, P. M.

FOUR- O'CLOCK, P. RM.

Thle Avsse IiV resumed it- ,e sio.
A quorum present.
)A ill1 to oe entitled ,an ':t to authlorize the board of Port
VWarlens of the port of Pnsaca to ap it ste ore, and or
Otiltier p o i S.

Itle waived, Mr. nui an I red t1he io'm til(I b ,solatitn,:

1-I ""- P $ F

Mr. Austin moved tomenI by inserting thrc days in thei
Ti -i e
I-, as II cep CeC
The resolution was ad as amendled, and t adopted.
On motion, t1. Assembly adjourned until to-morroV morning
ten o'clock.
t ~ I eI I (-_,el o e,1".

ATURDAY, iJuly i-tti, 1808.

The Assembly met pursuant to ad(joIurnmenit.
A quorum present.

The reading of yesterday's journal was, on motion, dispensed
1 i 1 i a. a I
Mr. Mcsillin gave notice that he would on some future day
introdne l r i,
other purposes.
1~ i" g~T~~,rir ie' .'`. flc`i~lc~ ;ll' f"lP 4~

othe pupoeS

90

Without previous notice, the following hills and resolutions
were introduced, viz,:
By Mr. Oliver:
A bill to lbe entitled an act relative to taxationn and voting.
By Mr. Lee:
A bill to be entitled an act in relation to marks and brands in
the State of Florida.
By Mr. Austin :
A bill to be entitled an act requiring the county commission-
CIe of eac county to have repred tho have r ete court houses of ('ch
county, and for other purposes.
Dv M Oliver:
A resolution relative to Dade Lodge No. 14.
Which were received and placed among the orders of the day.
Rule waived, on motion, the vote taken yesterday in reclference
to the Sergeant-at-Arms furnishing the miembes and officers of
the Assembly with candles, was reconsidered.
,Mr. Varnum was permitted to offer the following resolution :
.Resolved, That the Sergeant-at-Arms be authorized to furnish
the committee rooms of the various Standin- Committeces and
officers of this Assembly, with lights
VWhich was adopted.
1r. W'als offered the "following:
PJesol((ed, That the Speaker apjpoiint a Select Committee of five
to assist the Standingo Committee on Judiciary
Which was adopted.
The Coummittee on Commierce and N aviga' tio. report:
To the Honorable House of Representatives assembled :
Ve, the undersigned, Committee on Commerce and \a vigoa-
tion. to which a: bill was referred in regard to the regulation of
lots :ad pilotage', beg leave to make the following
REPOiRT:

vini carefully examined the bill referred, and having revised
and amended the same to the best of our judgment and ability for
the best interest of the State and all concerned, hoping it may
meet your: approbation, we humbly submit the same for your
consideration. War.. B. VIITE, Chairman.
JOHTIN VAr:NUM
F. FILEII,
R(O IERT, COX,
FR EDERPICK HIl',
Committee.
Which was ordered to be spread on the journal, and the substi-
tute as offered by the Committee ordered to be printed.
The (Committee on IRailroads report:

9 1

The Committee on Railroads, to whom was referred a bill to
be entitled an act for the protection of the citizens of Florida
"travelling on public conveyances, b!eg leIve to

REPORT ,T:

That they halve carefully considered the p1rovisio)n of said bill,
and recommend that it do pass with the following amendment,
viz.: To strike out the words one thousand dollars," and insert
instead five hundred dollars," andst strike out the words '" hone
year," and insert instead "i six months."

E. J. IfAnRis,

A 1. STrEAUxs,
COmmuittee.

Which was ordered to be spread upon the journal. and the bill
s amended ordered to be printed.

ORDERS OF T11E I)AY.

ikesolution relative to )Dae Lolo'e No. 14.
Ioead tirst t.ie, rule waived, read the second, t!ime b its title,
11and, 01on motion, referred to Commnittee on Finn111ce' and 'xation.
A 1)ill to 1)e entitled an act requiring the County Comunission-
"es o each coun-ty to have repaired the curt huseis of each
c1u1ty, V'il(! for ,tlAr pu rposs
Read iirst time, rule waived, read the secon( t ie iv its title,
and ordered eenrosser d for a third read(ino' on Aloday.
A bill to be entitled an act, in relation t:) marks Ind brands in
the State of Florida,
Head first time, rule waived, read thie secondI ti+me by its title,
and, on motion, referred 1to Comnitt(ee o ) Agriulue.
!/ ) t I II
Sule waived, Mr. Walls oterl1ed the following :
Lceso/0i-V That the CoNfittee on Pri' in have ii V copies of
.1such bills printed as iav be ) orderedd v thle Assemnily:
which was read 1and tdop)teld.
A 1)1il to be entitled an act relative to taxation and voting,
Head 1iist time, rule waived, read the second time, and on
motIo of Mr. Walls laid on the table.
e waived, Mr. Walls moved tl)hat thle 1mo(tionl to )ly o tlhe
table I)(e reconsi dered, 1land the motion to r1collnsider le 'laid on
the( table;
lWhich wats'agreed to.
Tile rule waived, Mr. Walls oered the following:
r.C-

SA bill to be entitled an act regulating, the election of Mayors
of incorporated cities in thee State of Floria.
Read first time, rule waived, read 1 the second time by its title
anid on motion of Mr. Varnum laid on the table.
On1 motion, the Assembly adjourned until teni o'clok Monday
morn iIG.

M NDAY, July lth, S-.

The Assembly met Nursuant to adjournment.
L quorumil preset.
Praver by the Chaplain.
fThe radfi o ofyel sterdlay's lnal was, on motion, di
with.
On motion the followin members were eX!'1Sed for an in-
definite time, on account of sickness : Mssrs. (reene of Baker,
"Cheshire, Bradwell, and Pons.
JMrl. Le'e (a_)ve otice that he would, on som.e future day, intro-
-I
duce a bill to be entitled an act to remove aIind permanently
locate t he county site of Sullmpt ce ounty.
Mr. Raney, oiiered the t followinT oint, resolution of tihe
Legislature of the State of Florida, reouestino the Senators and
Re)lreseiftatives of Florida in Contgres. of the United States, to
procure the enactment, by Conogress, off a statute exempting
certain property in the State oif Florida fom forced sale under
process of tile iUited -States courts ;
Which wats read, rule_ waived, and on motion, read the second.
andl third time by its title". and put ulo its passage.
The -ote wa s-
Yeas-Mr. Speaker, Messrs. Austin, Bostick, Butler, Cox,
Cruce, DLaney, Filer, Fortune. Graham, Hall, HIarman, Haris,
Hill,, odes Keee. Le, L, l ivingstoi, McAuley, McKinnon,
McMillin, Melvjin, Mills, Moore lierOl Osgood, Pittman, Pow-
ell, BIaney, Robinson, lodg(ers. Scott, Simpson, Stewart, Stone,
Thompson, UrquhartL, VYarnm, Walls, Watso1n, Wells, and
White-42.
Nays-None.
Resolution p1a,,ed.
Mr. :atXsoun offered a joint resolution relative to a mail
route in i olusina county;
WThich was read, rule waivd, and, on motion, read the second
a.nd third time by its title, and put upon its passage.
The vote was-
Yeas-Mr. Speaker, MJessrs. Austin, Bostick, Butler, Cox,
Cruce. DeLaney, Filer, Fortune, Graham, Hall, 1Harman, Harris,
Hill, iHodges, Keene, Lee, Livingston, McAuley, McKinnon,

93)

McMillin, Melvin, Moore, Oliver, Osgood, Pitt.man, Powell,
Raney, Robinson, Rodgers, Scott, Simpson, Stewart, Stone,
Thompson, Urquhart, Varnum, VWalls, Watson, e, ll and
White-41.
Nays-None.
Resolution passed.
The Committee on State Institutions report:
The Committee of State Insti.ttions, to whom was ref rred the
bill to be entitled "An Act requiring a Jail to be built in each
County in this State,"' b- leave to

REPORT.

That we h-\ave had tlhe same under consideration, and re com-
mend that: aid Act do p:as 0. E. AsIx- Chairman,
REO'RE P. HANEY

OiERT liVIN GSTON.

NWhich was read and olcrdered to be spread upon the journal.
The bill was placed among the orders of the day.
The Committee on Claims report:

The undersigned, Committee on Claims, to whom was referred
the petition of B. NW. Nixon, having had thee same under consid-
"eration, respectfully
EI REPORT.
That, in their judgment, the matter therein contained properly
.belongs to the Judiciary Department of the Governmient Ind
therefore reconunend that the Assembly take no action thereon,
and that the committee be discharged from further considera-
tion of the subject. Jon\x -W. BuITLnI,
JOH-N I. SCOTT,
"Josi;u A. LEE,
F. N. B. OLIVER,
-orIt GRAHAIM.

WX'hich was read and ordered to be spread uponL tha journal.
The Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms offered his resignation, which
was accepted by the Assembly.
Committee on Commerce and Navigation report :
To the iHonorhc b Hfouse of R)rersentatives assembled :
The Committee on Commerce and Navigation, to whom was
referred a bill authorizing the port wardens of thi city of Pensa-
cola to appoint stevedores for that port. beg leave to make the
following"

-n

94

REPORT.
That having had the same underC consideration, we flind Imthing
in the bill warranting us to recommendl the granting of the exclu-
sive privileges asked for therein, and are of the opinion that the
granting thereof would be injurious to the interests of commerce
and the rights of free citizens, and would res)ectfifll recom-
Imendl that thle Ibill do not pass.
Wr. BI. VWHITE,n Chairmain,
F. FILE4,
OB-nHx VAXttSOI,

Which was received and ordered t)o be s1ead on tlhe journal.
Bill placed among the orders of thle day.
Committee on Commerce -and Navigation report,:
7; the honorable C fJouse of ReprLeb,! sto'ti<' asse.i ,hled:
The Committee to whom a bill was vireferred entitled An Act
concerninmg the appointing of hispectors of Logs and Timbelr. and
defining the duties thereof; be,, leave to lllmake the following ,

REPORT.

lThat Ihaving ihad thee same under c nsi(erlation, 1and after
careful examination of the bill, wouldd respectfully recommend
that the same do pass with the following amendments, to wit:
In Section 4 strike out the following words, "andl shall then
sell the loos or timber, and insert the wordss "' shalll sel suf-
ficint quantity thereof for the purpose ,o satisfying the claims
of t1e Ins sector anl d defi'aying ex1c(penss andi costs of court.
WYM 8. T. W ITUE, Chairman,
F. FILER,
JOiNL ARXUAM,
ROEtLq, COX
FREDEIIriK HILL.
Which was 'ec'ived and ordered to be( spread on the journal.
Bill and amend ents placed among the orders of the day.
In compliance with previoltus resolution, the Chair appointed
the following as a, committee o tive to assist the, Judiciary
Committee :
M1essrs. WTlls, Wells, H Iarman, Simpsn, ad Oliver.

ORDERS OF THIE DAY.
A bill to be entitled An Act reqirinvi the County Counis-
L L, C/

	Proceedings
	June 1868
	July 1868
	August 1868
	Appendix

MILLISECOND	CLASS.METHOD	MESSAGE
0	sobekcm_page_globals.constructor
0	sobekcm_page_globals.constructor	Application State validated or built
0	sobekcm_database.verify_item_lookup_object
0	sobekcm_page_globals.constructor	Navigation Object created from URI query string
0	sobekcm_database.verify_item_lookup_object
0	sobekcm_page_globals.display_item	Retrieving item or group information
0	sobekcm_page_globals.get_entire_collection_hierarchy	Retrieving hierarchy information
0	sobekcm_assistant.get_entire_collection_hierarchy
0	cached_data_manager.retrieve_item_aggregation
0	cached_data_manager.retrieve_item_aggregation	Found item aggregation on local cache
0	item_aggregation_builder.get_item_aggregation	Found 'all' item aggregation in cache
0	system.web.ui.page.page_load (ufdc.page_load)
0	sobekcm_page_globals.constructor.on_page_load
0	html_echo_mainwriter.add_style_references	Adding style references to HTML
0	html_echo_mainwriter.add_text_to_page	Reading the text from the file and echoing back to the output stream
818	html_echo_mainwriter.add_text_to_page	Finished reading and writing the file