Florida--Politics and government--1865-1950

During the Progressive Era, technical experts--state and independent engineers, United States Department of Agriculture scientists, and United States engineers increasingly influenced drainage and reclamation policy in central and southern Florida. Engineers agreed with the general method of drainage but at times disagreed over engineering specifics. The federal, state and local govemments were aware of the benefits associated with internal improvements, at the same time, however, they frequently fought over their control. Between the mid-nineteenth century and the early 1900s, drainage engineering knowledge and technology increased along with the role of the engineers. As a result, Florida's Progressive Governor Napoleon Bonaparte Broward began a state-financed and state-managed effort to drain and reclaim the Everglades in 1905. The role of the state engineer, however, differed from the expert described by historian Robert H. Wiebe, in that the engineer was not an independent policy-maker. The state engineer was always subordinate to the Florida Legislature and the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Fund, including the Governor of Florida.

This thesis traces the history of the Populist Party in Florida from
the first stirrings of agrarian discontent in that state to the election
of 1896. The Independent movement, which was the antecedent to
the Populist Party, is also dealt with. The political campaigns of
1892 and 1896 are especially stressed. Finally, some causes of the
defeat of Populism are presented.