The weekly true Democrat. (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1905-1912, 1905-04-07

The fret message Of Governor Brow.
ard TO the assembled Legislature wus .
strong and exceedingly lucid presenta-
ton Of the existing condition Of public
affairs, and was distinctly typical OF
his eminently practical personality. he
reviswed briefly the seyet1 depart
mental reports, and spoke eneoofag-
ingly and enthusiastically OF Florida g
financial and industrial progress and
future pCospects.
capacity 20 realize the needs OF the
State IN many parts OF his message,
but IN none more than IN bis recon-
mendatiOn for q tax upon al franchises,
for q State Board Of equalization, and
for additional State aid TO public eduea-
ton. ConearminQ the latter he occupied
much space n bis message, covering
the following saient points:
The Thorough and systematic reorgan-
ization Of the State Institutions Of high
er learning, with specific taxes levied
for their support, % that they need not
come TO successive Legislatures Gin
the attitude Of begRars"; the extension
of the terms Of the rural schools, with
increased numbers Of teachers and IN
creased compensation TO teachers, to
be accomplished by q policy OF addition
al State aid to all school communities.
He also recommends = reorganization
of the public school system whereby
more effective work therein may be
accomplished, including q more eompre-
hensive system of reports; and he rec
Ommends legislation providing Tor. q
carefully selected committee TO revise
The entire BODY of school laws, rules
and regulations, with special refer
ence to a more exact and accurate sys-
tenn of accounting, and devlatnG .
pror-r check upOn all school teeipts
and 6$penditures." In addition W.
recommends the preparation OF = con-
aeryative outline or course Of study,
with q view TO meeting the needs Of
the rural schools, a. well Is those more
adVaA Cd in the larger towns and 6lttas
of our StR1s,n aalA = uniform aFnten
OF text books for all schOOle.
Governor Br0ward strOngly preDept4
the needs Of the State school Tor no
deaf, dumb and blind, the hospital for
the insane. and the State reform school.
Concerning the laSt-named, ne Says:
cit 10 our duty 70 maintain . reform
school in this State, where young OF
tenders may be confined and taught
some useful employment, tree from the
communicating influences ana vicious
habits of hardened criminals. 1t needs
no argument TO convince any thinking
man that boy Of tender years should
not be confined in the penitentiary with
hardened criminals or subject 70 the
contact with them in the convict camp.
Therefore, proper legislatiCn should be
enacted providing for the maintaining
of a State reform school on such basis
as to enable It's management to accom-
plish the results for which Il was tnsti-
tuted. the reform and training IN some
useful industry Of juvenile offenders,
TO the end that they should be made
good citizens and an aid and benefit 70
the State, rather than q tax upon her
in the form of hardened criminals.
And he recommends legislation 20 &c
complish these purposes the commit
nent of juveniles other than oifepdefs
70 the school; longer terms Of commit
ment, and that the maintenance Of TIE
institution be paid out Of the fund Aris-
ing from the leasing Of tbS State con-
victs. "a,
be noted later.