The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1891-04-03
ALLIANCE DEPARTMENT.
NTr. GOss Reviewes Messrs. Spencer
and ms" Article on Legisla-
ffon

and MS Article on LegisIa-
tIon.
1t is truly gratifying to see the inter-
est DR.. Bitch is taking in the people he
has the honor to represent. He is ask
ing their aid in suggesting such changes
IN the laws as they deem proper in the
general interest of economy and reform
by tightening and more equally distrib-
utlng the burdens of taxation; and it is
none the less gratifying to see such able
and advanced thinker as Messrs. Spencer
and d" coming to to the front and pre-
sentlng their views on this important
matter OF retrenchment and reform in
legislation.
Mr.. Spencer says, and it is true. that
economy rests with the legislative de-
partmeat and not so much with the iu-
dlclary and executive. IL is therefore
most important department Of the gov
eminent, and the one from which re.
form must first come. He further saws
taxes should never sacrifice the couyen-
fence OF the many to the luxury of the
few. few county officials should not
receive from $4,000 to $4,000 per an
nam whilst the burden of taxation is
heavy upon the many who receive less
1880 E~CS RNt eaAAAiAA lOt CANdilY Us AZ
duous and less desirous work. This is
not only wrong in theory but it is an in
cubator of corrupt methods. emp has
wisely suggested that adequate salaries
be allowed and the excess turned into
the treasury.
The unwise law against gambling in
its operation was fully illustrated by Mr..
Spencer; and he might with equal force
have illustrated the useless and i'm.
proper law against carrying concealed
weapons. In its operation it only benC-
hts the prosecuting attorney 10 the f.
nancial injury Of the state without
tanning the evil. 1t produces stealtlly
cunning with one class of men. and
reckless daring with the other. MANY
OF the latter class in the labor camps
and sometimes on the streets carry
aWlnchesters openly (allowed by law
and as this law is enforced against the
weaker class, ere long / fear hundreds
OF men will be armed with these deadly
weapons. The enforcement of the law
against those who unlawfulIy use these
concealed weapons will do more to abate
the evil effect than all the laws against
carrying them.
Mr.. Spencer has properly suggested
change In the convict prison system.
Something should be done in that re-
spect. Could not all of each county's
eonvicts be worked in their county upon
the public roads especially where
counties have an annual average of eight
or more convicts and thereby save five
or SIX thousand dollars annually and be
under the watehful care of those who feel
an interest in them. Would not that he
both economy and humanity?
NJ" IS right in other suggestions such
as allowing attorneys. fees in suits
wherein it is stipulated; it is bad policy
and works great injustice and hardship
to the weak and unfortunate defendants
IN mortgage aud other similar suits.
Our present jury system must be re-
nodded. 1t is now but little better
than q sort of special license to those
able to Pay attorneys to commit the
highest crimes known to the law with
Twenty pre-emptory chal-
lenges ard challenges for causes virtu-
ally gives defendants the selection of
his jury or at least enough 10 prevent
verdict, though the proof of his guilt is
beyond a reasonable doubt. Hence the
lawless riots and killing in Gainesville,
Atlanta, CINCINNATI, New Orleans and
other places. The court should be EN-.
powered with the aid of competent COM
missioners furnishing the names of
proper person from which to select and
furnish an impartial jury to try all
cases. IN" is away off in the matter of
mileage and per dim allowed witnesses
and jurors, their mileage should not be
reduced; the per dim of Jurors should
not be less than two dollars, that would
not pay expences and nothing for loss
of time. The idea of farmers without
adequate pay for expenses aiding the
court on patriotism would apply with
better grace to some of the high salaried
officials.
IN" might with propriety have said
the law of marriage license should be
changed.
Where is the wisdom or policy in ex-
acting taxes for doing that which so
much conduces to the moral upbuilding
of people and lettering the condition
of state and church than marriages?
They should be encouraged not embar-
COED, premiums offered, not taxes
levied. A sworn certificate by the per-
SON authorized to perform the marriage
ceremony, with two attesting witnesses,
giving their names in full, ages, height
complexion, nativity and nationality;
their parents and near blood relations,
their names, etc, this to be properly re-
corded in the probate's office and paid
out Of the public funds and reasonable
fee to the person performing the cere-
mony and making out the certificate.
This would be a useful improvement
and better to all excepting the official
who receives under our present law two
dollars for filing a blank license or per
nit to marry.
l desire to call your attention to an
other very important matter affecting
the stability and perpertuity of our in
stitutions that can be measurably rene
died by legislation. The reckless man
ntr in which the homes of the people
are being taken from them by "Shy
locks" under force sales which the peo-
pie are powerless to prevent, aud they
have no legal remedy TO recover, no law
to stay or soften the merciless blows as
they fall from the hands of greed and
avrice upon their homes. Thus left
homeless with dependent family with
out any remedy to recover, hope gives
way to despair, local attachments, pride,
self.respect, love of country, changes to
indifference; they soon become tramps.
Communism takes the place of patriot
ism; the tinge of anarchy soon develops
and they soon become reckless, defiant
and riotous, ready to cooperate with
and aid the worst elements that infest
the great cities, mining and manulac-
turing districts.
The law in the interest of public pol
icy outside of the higher considerations
of humanity should BE- changed SO that
property sold under forced sales could be
redeemed by the owner, heirs or assigns
within two years by paying only costs
and lawful interest on the amount OF
the sale.
J. D. Goss.