The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1888-12-11
CONDITIONS THAT CONFRONT US.
SHALL THEY REMAIN:


knows what to do with, but it has enough 10
rescue it from the stigma of being niggardly.
We adopt the above, from recent
issue of the Savannah Neaos as text for
some things that need to be said on the
same line as regards certain matters in
Florida.
While we believe in and advocate the
principles enunciated by the Democratic
party, steadfastly support Democratic
measures as they apply to and shape the
general policy of the party, and zealously
labor for the election of the nominees of
all Democratic conventions, We are not
among those who will assert and attempt
to maintain that everything done by the
party of which We are an humble men,
Der is right, because it is the act of our
party. All parties have sins of omis-
sion and commission. In Florida the Re-
pu blicans pursued one extreme and the
Democratic tendency is toward the other.
The former were ruinously extravagant
and profigate in public affairs and the
latter are SO economical as to seemingly
appear unjust to many of the servants
of the people. We purpose between
now and the assembling Of the Legisla-
ture-and beyond that date, too, when
ever the interests of individuals,
communities, or the public veal
calls for ito speak in no uncertain
terms as regards several matters OF a
public nature, as they affect individuals,
political parties, the public good-the
State of Florida, etc.
In making this announcement we do
not wish it to be understood that we
propose to make the same mistake some
Of the mongrels did in the late cam
paign-get outside of the party to purify
the party. What we purpose is to re-
main within party lines and labor to bring
about a correction of errors and to prevent
the making of others
And we begin herewith 1t is we'll
known fact that if the Democracy of
Florida have perseveringly adhered to
any one line Of Legislation they have per-
sisted in that of reducing salaries until the
"stigma of being niggardly" is thought
to be justly applicable by many The
salaries of State and county officers have
been reduced until in some instances they
are rdicnlously low-aye, unjnstly so
and do not begin to compensate offici.ls
tor the labor performed. Some officers
in Forda--both STATE and countv-wcre
they employed in the line Of any Legitimate
business, would, for tn" same time and
energy devoted to their duties, receive
much larger salaries than are now paid
them in the capacity Of public servants,
and this is public wrong. AS to county
officers, We cite the case Of Assessor for
Leon county. and the essential points in
his case apply with equal force to every
county Assessor in Florida. He was en-
gagged about twelve months on his books
for the curren: year, and we know him
to be an industrious, conscientious and
competent offiCial, and we further know
that for assistance in this work he has
paid out over 500, and that his entire sal
airy does not exceed $3.50. Any one ia
mlllar with the present complicated mode
Of making assessments is aware Of the
tact that An incompetent man cannbt per-
form the duties Of the office. 1t requires
a thoroughly practical, energetic and de
tcrmined business man to do the work.
Such men command good salaries in the
general business pursuits Of the country
salaries commensurate with their abil-
ity, capacity and industry, and they
should receive like compensation when
employed as public servants.
When we come to State officers, there
are members of the cabinet, with salaries
OF 81 500 per annum, who work as hard
and constantly as any men in Florida
in fact, they work harder than they would
for themselves-in their own private bust
ness-and in which they could realize
more than they receive as salaried off,
GERS of the State. Is there any justice in
this? Is there any credit for the great
State of Florida in this parsimonous