The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-04-05
BROWARD'S MESSAGE
GOVERNOR OF FLORIDA TO THE
 STATE LEGISLATURE.
Document Ably Covers varity of Inter- esting subjects--Material Con- ditions are Very En-
 cOuraGfug.

Pensacola, Fla, April 4.-(Special.)-- Governor Browards message to the Florida legislature which was read to- day at the opening session of the body was replete in interest. The bulky paper covered a multitude of subjects of very particular interest to tine peo- pie, not only of this State, but to the entire South, and these subjects were handled ably, according to the opin- ions of some of the best citizens of the place. The message was read at noon today and was heard with the greatest interest. Copies of the same were also issued from the State print cry and these will be kept for ref erence by those who possess them as documents of much information and useful interest right now.
 Never in the history of our State" the message begins, were all of its material conditions more encouraging. Blessed with a salubrious climate and cheerful surroundings, our people en- joy excellent health. Stimulated by an honorable ambition to progress, and encouraged by the fruitful results of effort, intelligently and industrially directed, remarkable strides have been made in developing the almost limit less resources of the State and in inn provements of former conditions. Our seaport facilities, our pine forests. our phosphate deposits, our fish and oyster supplies, our farm and pasture lands, bur fruit groves, our vegetable farms, Dur tobacco plantations, our excellent schools, our low rate of State taxa tion Jour transportation facilities and public accommodations, and the gen. eral high standing of our people and the bright outlook for the future are attracting to the State a large and desirable class of immigrants who are joining with us in energetically forg- ing ahead in the good work of progress and development.
 If we are true to our obligations to insure to the people of the State an honest, firm, impartial and econom- 1cal administration of just law, afford ing to all equal rights, we have notn- Ing to fear for the future. If the spirit of our fundamental principles of government is observed and rigidly en- forced Florida, with her vast areas of fertile land and balmy climate, and her boundless resources yet undevel- oped, will in time become one of the foremost States of the union.
 The financial condition of Florida Is most excellent, as will be seen by the extracts from the State treasurer and comptroller" (which were attached and made part of the message)
 The message make many recommen- dations, and touches upon the adop- tion of uniform system of text books, recommending prudent legislation for the relief of the State charitable in- stitutions, urges the maintenance of reform school where young offenders may be confined and taught some use- full employment, free from the contam- mating influence and vicious habits of hardened criminals; explains in detail the recent leasing of the State con- victs, quoting at length from the lease entered into; recommends relief measures in the working and gem eral handling of the county convicts; urges strongly the providing of a fund as liberally as means will permit, to make up a pension for every needy and deserving Confederate soldier or his widow; insist upon the best aid