The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-01-04

elected me and as declared that l would carry out. If elected. these prin-
 ciples of policies advocated by me in
 the primaries. I believe 1t proper for
 me to mention them brieny at tnis time. Although the flat of the people
 of Florida has gone forth prociaimine me the Chief Executive of the State of Florida, nothing on their part remain l ing to be done. some of our people. con- scious of the fact that men do not al- ways make any great effort to carry out the principles and policies after election. that they advocated to obtain election, may suspect avoidance on my
 part of the work necessary to enectu- ate the results that were advocated by
 me. Therefore. feel that It is proper on this occasion to reiterate the pledges l made by me to the people. which, in brief, are as followsi
 Primary Election.
 That I favor the primary election system, that believe 1t to be on trial, that I will oppose to the utmost of my ability any measure to weaken or, re- peal this law. unless 1t has first been submitted to a vote of the people, and received their approval, and further pledge the people that will do my
 utmost to strengthen and perfect the system, and that will cheerfully ap- prove any bill tending in that direc- tion.
 Railroad Coxamission.
 In recent years Florida has made rapid advance in material progress and prosperity. but, in my judgment, she has only fairly begun to enjoy the rich
 heritage justly hers by reason Of vast
 resources in field and grove, factory and mine believe that no agency has had more to do with this progress and hn wtga and COnSef- vative administration of our railroad commission laws. I believe that the department of State institutions should give every encouragement to the de- velopment and construction of trans portation lines, and thereby facilitate and cheapen transportation. an achieve ment working both for the beneht or the people in affording a larger and readier market for the numerous prod ucts of field, farm and grove, as well as to the transportation companies. in the increased amount of business that they will handle. In my canvass or this State, I put myself upon record as being in favor of doing all within my power as Governor to strengthen and protect the laws creating the Railroad Commission. I also promised to rec ommend to the Legislature that reso- lution amending the Consultation. so as to make the Railroad Commission constitutional part of the government, be passed.
 Education.
 also declared that good educa- tion was the most valuable heritage that we could leave our children, and, therefore, believed in a longer school term for the children attending our free schools, and that I favored large appropriations for our colleges. Few States have been more liberal fin re- cent years than ours in the matter of education. Not only have we an ex- cellent public school system, but also well equipped and endowed higher in stitutions of learnisg supported at pub lie expense, and 1t is now tnexcusabie that the children of our State should grow up in ignorance.
 Our government is the outgrowth of public opinion. This government was established by and must be ad-
 ministrated for the good of the people regardless of personal preferece and local surroundings. The policy of the government is your creation and your dictates must be obeyed. It cannot be perfect, but 1t will be just what its citi- gems make it. It's excellencies and effi- ciency of those whom you elect to ad- minister it's affairs wi always depend upon the virtue and good sense of the people who make 1t and who uphold it; this emphasizes the importance of edu- cation and of a general interest in the affairs of State. Our continued success. | our prosperity. our power rests upon the intelligence of the people. The com mon school is the cornerstone of our political structure. If we would have a stable government, intelligently administered, we must educate our chill
 dren that they may be able to under standingly consider all questions of public interest with broad and enlight-
 ened views From the doors of our common schools must come our officials. our lawmakers, our business men, our formers and all who help to build up and maintain the State. consequently, shall do all that have the power to do to uphold and extend the common school system. do not wish to be un- derstood as opposing higher educa- tion," on the contrary. I believe in Colleges and Universities and the many advantages they confer. but the great mass of the youth of our country cannot hope for the advantages of a College
 education at present, and 1t is upon this great majority that the hope of success
 under our form of government always has and always must rest.
 It is not my purpose now to do more
 than attempt 10 impress upon your
 minds the importance of general edu-
 cation. of the development of higher
 ambitions and of broad and liberal
 views, on each and every subject in
 each and every walk of life. The man
 who has advanced to the period that l
 have feels more keenly than those of
 fewer years the lack of what the youth
 of today have at their command, and
 the increasing advantages that the
 youth of tomorrow will enjoy. Thus
 can public opinion be best enforced in
 government. Therefore, this public
 opinion should be enlightened and the
 youth of the State educated by the State
 to the fullest extent possible. It was
 Washington who said: Tn proportion
 as the structure of a government gives
 force to public opinion 1t is essential
 that public opinion should be enlight- ened."
 Pensions to Confederate Veterans.
 I also declared that the patriotic ser-
 vice and self-sacrifice Of our soldiers
 and sailors in the Civil War should
 guaranteeft to the needy ones or their
 widows such reasonable pensions as an
 appreciative people are ever ready to
 pay. We can see the remnant of that
 covered and poorly clad, overwhelmed
 by force and numbers. Their homes
 destroyed, conditions under which to
 make living for their
 brave mothers, wives and sls-
 ters changed. yet they did not
 falter, but took up the battle for