FLORIDA FOLKS AND


FAMILIES.


eral questions and requirements, most of the present law-
makers of both political parties know little or nothing of
the perfect educational systems of the North and West.
It is not at all a question of their political views, but a bare
fact that they do not know anything about it.
 But there are other drawbacks, for which the Legislat-
ure or people can not be held to blame. In the first place,
the number of children is so small, and the territory of the
districts necessarily so large, that the schools are lightly
attended. In the next place, the wages paid the teachers
are too low to make it an object for first-class instructors
to seek positions here, except an occasional person who has
come here for health and light employment; and even
these soon find more lucrative occupations. In the older,
larger cities, like Tallahassee, Tampa, Key West, Pensa-
cola, and all old-settled places, especially Jacksonville,
there are very good schoolhouses, good teachers, and good
methods; but the terms should be made longer, and the
pay to all teachers considerably increased.
 There is comparatively little crime in Florida; prop-
 erty and life are nowhere safer than here. This is very
 noticeable where the homes are few and far between, and


of such light construction that they might easily be entered
by the burglar or more desperate villain. Such scoundrels
are remarkably few. The laws are generally well enforced
on all such evil-doers; and where these fail or are too dila-
tory, a rough-and-ready popular justice is apt to perform
their work. The judges and justices as a class compare
favorably with those of other States.
 Much has been said and written about crimes committed
in this State as the result of color and politics. It is
stoutly asserted by some that many lives have been lost
and much property destroyed from these causes; and it is
as stoutly denied by others that such things have been


done.


I believe there have been such crimes committed,


L