MEMORIALS. [No. 1.J MEMORIAL to Congress Asking an Appropriation for Opening WHEREAS, Indian river is 120 miles in length and supplied with gulf water from the Atlantic ocean by two inlets located on the southern part thereof, and said inlets are not sufficient to amply supply sea water for the cultivation of oysters and Preamble. fish, and two more inlets, one at Sebastian river and one at the south end of Bananna river, could be cut and opened for a small sum to sufficient depth for small vessels, which would greatly aid commerce and vastly increase the production of food fish which now annually amounts to hundreds of thousands of dollars. Be it resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Florida: That the Congress of the United States are hereby asked to make an appropriation of $2,000 to open said inlets. Approved May 29, 1897. Appropriation asked for. [No. 2.] A MEMORIAL to the Congress of the United States Asking an WHEREAS, Kissimmee city, lying at the head of one of the great tributaries of the Gulf of Mexico, with a population of Preamble. two thousand people, depending largely upon the agricultural, fruit and cattle industry of the Kissimmee valley. WHEREAS, The Kissimmee river, lakes and canals, from Kissimmee to Lake Okeechobee, a distance of about one hundred and fifty miles, traverses a section of the country rich in agricultural, mineral and fruit resources, which fact is evidenced by the great quantities of vegetables, sugar cane, and fruit grown in that section. Preamble. 1897. Preamble. Appropriation asked for. WHEREAS, This section of the country is thickly settled, and being no railroad there, these people are almost entirely dependent upon the Kissimmee river for supplies, United States mail, transportation of vegetables, fruits, etc., and the deepening, straightening, and otherwise improving said river and canals, would be of inestimable value to the thousands of people living along its borders; therefore, Be it resolved by the Legislature of the State of Florida: That our Senators and Representatives in Congress be requested to use all honorable means to secure the passage of a bill appropriating ten thousand dollars for the purpose of improving, locking and deepening the Kissimmee river, and lakes and canals tributary thereto. That the Secretary of State be directed to supply each of our Senators and Representatives in Congress a copy of this memorial under the great seal of the State of Florida. Approved May 29, 1897. Preamble. [No. 3.] MEMORIAL to the Congress of the United States Asking the Passage of a Bill For the Construction of the Proposed Nicaraguan Canal. WHEREAS, The proposed Nicaraguan canal to connect the waters of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans would prove of incalculable benefit to the United States and their commerce, would vastly increase the strength and effectiveness of their naval forces and land fortifications in time of war, if controlled or owned by them; therefore, Be it resolved by the Senate of Florida, the House of Representatives concurring: That our Senators and Representatives in Congress be requested to use their utmost endeavors to secure the early passage of a bill by Congress providing for the construction, under the supervision of or by the Government of the United States, of said canal, and for it to remain forever under that government's control. Resolved, That the Secretary of State is hereby directed to furnish a copy of this memorial to each of our Senators and Representatives in Congress. Approved June 5, 1897. MEMORIAL to Congress Asking That the Settlers now Residing on WHEREAS, By act of Congress, a law was passed requiring a money consideration from the settlers on the "Fort Jupiter Preamble: Reserve;" and WHEREAS, The freeze of 1895 so crippled the financial condition of the settlers on the "Fort Jupiter Reserve" that it Preamble. deprived them of the privilege of taking advantage of the offer to purchase their claims, by reason of want of money; therefore, Be it resolved by the Legislature of the State of Florida: That our Representatives in Congress be and they are respectfully requested to use all honorable means to secure the passage of a law for the purpose of allowing the settlers on the "Fort Jupiter Reserve" to homestead their claims, and that they be allowed a deduction from the five years required by law of the time they have actually resided on their said claims; and Be it further resolved, That the Secretary of State is hereby requested to furnish each of the Senators and Representatives in Congress from Florida with a copy of this memorial. Approved June 4, 1897. Homestead claims on "For Jupiter Reserve." [No. 5.] MEMORIAL to the Congress of the United States Asking That the WHEREAS, In the latter part of September, 1896, a destructive storm passing through certain portions of Levy, Alachua, LaFayette, Columbia, Bradford, Suwannee, Baker, Duval and Preamble. Nassau counties, felling almost the entire body of timber situate in its path, destroying houses, wrecking farms, killing stock of various kinds and rendering many of the home. steaders dstitute; and 1897. Request to WHEREAS, Many of the homesteaders must vacate their farms to make provision for their families; therefore, Be it resolved, That the Legislature of the State of Florida request our Senators and Representatives in Congress to enact such legislation as will enable the homesteaders in the storms path to purchase their homestead lands at a exceeding twenty-five cents per acre. sum not Resolved further, That the Secretary of State cause copies of this resolution to be sent to each of our Senators and Representatives in Congress. Approved May 24, 1897. For South Florida Military and Educational Institute. 112 115 For funeral expenses of Representative H. A. H. Crump- 152 For Samuel J. Reynolds for services as Fish Commis- 157 Act to continue the powers, rights and privileges, etc. 169-170 To assist and advise the Comptroller in assessing rail- & To institute action against railroad companies violat- 90-93 |