The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1906-05-11

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not have ample and quick transporta-
ton. Railroads are essential to the de-
lvelopment of our country. They give
employment to labor, build cities and
increase values upon our farms, there
fore they deserve equal and fair treat
ment with any other interest of our
country. But when they received from
Jour government benefits through enor
tmous land grants. they should be held
in strict account TO the public. and
give the people the same consideration
they received from and which was
GRANTED by them. They must be kept
Iunder proper control, and regulated by
1.-The government in such way as will
lprevent them from doing any injustice
to the individual citizen. Corporations
ldoing business in the state should be
controlled by legislation of the state.
i would not do the railroads an injus-
tice if I could. They are entitled to
reasonable interest on every honest
dollar they have invested, but they
should not be permitted to capitalize
for one dollar more. than they have
actually invested. nor should they be
ALLOWED TO demand dividends on infiat-
ed or watered stock. They should be
pie should receive credit for the IN
creased values of their roads in that
proportion that the people give them
business, and by it, make their prop
lerties the more valuable. The railroads
and the people should work hand in
hand with this purpose in view. which
would go far in solving the present
difficulties surrounding them. The
railroad commission is a benefit To the
people if the men you elect will do
their duty.
There is hope that the senate of the
United States will soon pass the rate
bill giving power to the interstate
commerce commission to fix rates that
win prove just to the railroads and
the people. Should this bill pass and
become n law. we of Florida may re-
lceive what we have long been with
tout, and that is. just and reasonable
tariffs on incoming and outgoing
lfreights.
Let us. then. maintain our Florida
railroad commission. IL We have not
the proper persons composing that
commission, let us elect men who will
Ienforce the statutes. Let US keep the
commission; strengthen it with the
power of law, and through the enforce
Iment of the law we can be treated
with fairness and justice.
Agricultural Statistics.
Under the present laws OF our state
is a law that requires the county COM
Imissioners TO pay to the tax assessors
Toe per name for agricultural statistics
made by them each year. Now, this
county has been paying the sum of
$500 Per year for this work. 1 made
"a calculation including what was paid
to the state printer and l find il has
cost the state of Florida about $4,000
per annum. for little book (about the
size of a Webster Blue Back spelling
book), which contained what was sup
posed TO be the agricultural statistics
of Florida. These statistics were very
incorrect. and of no benefit whatever
TO the people. I introduced bill repeal
ing the law, which passed in the house
So to 2, and in the senate % to /.
found no one but the administration
opposed to the bill, and after the adj
journment of the legislature, the gov
ernor vetoed the bill. stating that he
did so because, no provision was made
for this work
ReapPortionment.
! There is much important legislation
necessary at the coming session which
will prove a benefit to this county
/ Under article Z OF the constitution
lit will devolve upon this session TO re-
apportion the state. Under present
conditions. Marion is entitled 10 a SEN
ator only with Sumter county at
tached. This is not as it should be. Our
! its own, and your representatives
whom you elect should work to that
end
Automobile Bill.
! A few months before / entered upon
my duties as a member of the last
house OF representatives. there occur
red in this county a most deplorable
accident on one of our public high
ways. which resulted in ending the life
of promising boy. This accident was
caused solely by an automobile which
frightened the horse driven by the boy
When learned Of this accident, the
thought came to me that along this
lime legislation should be enacted. and
after much thought and considerable
work. succeeded in passing the bill
II introduced. governing the speed and
operation of these vehicles when run
ming on our public roads. ON account
OF this bill l have been earieatured.
but stin think that the mule and cart
should receive some consideration at