The weekly true Democrat. (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1905-1912, 1906-10-12
A Word Of warning.

Every voter when he goes to the polls
In November should remember that If
the drainage amendment is passed the
result will be final unless overthrOwn
by the courts. The law will be no ex-
pertinent TO be repealed IL its operation
proves unsatisfactory. 1t will be out Of
the reach Of the Legislature, and can
only be repealed by a constitutional
amendment.
The constitution cannot be altered ex-
eept by vote Of three-fifths Of the
members of each house, followed &c
the next general election by vote of
the majority Of the electors voting.
Thh tesn members of the Senate thir-
teen Nold-over Senators can prevent
any Change In the constitution.
The Amendment would give the drain
age commissioners almost unlimited
power. They would be subject to no one
as to the work in any way. The amend
nent provides no safeguards TO require
IL 70 be done IN a careful and economic
cal manner. The board could not even
be compelled TO proceed with drainage.
The amendment would leave the whole
matter optional with the drainage COM
missioners
There could be no restraint as to the
laying off Of drainage districts That
would be left for the board TO decide
without outside control Except that
ten cents per acre is the limit, there
could be no control as to taxation. 1t
would be entirely in the hands of the
board as to amount, as to time and as
to whom they would tax.
Have the members Of the present
board shown themselves worthy Of so
much trust2 We have shown the I'M
business like methods they have pur-
sued as trustees of the Internal I'M
provement Fund, and we have shown it
by the statements Of a number Of the
board The drainage commissioners
and the internal Improvement fund
trustees are the same men. They give
no bond for the faithful discharge Of
their duties in these positions. They
are not elected TO these positions by the
people Do the people wish to place IN
the hands Of these men an unlimited
power like this amendment would give
them, and place II there beyond recall
except. through the slow and uncertain
method Of constitutional amendment.
But suppose the people are confident
OF the present members of the board.
What guarantee would they have that
men wOrthyof confidence would always
De tteCJtol
The people Of Florida are asked TO
elothe an ex-0tfieio bondless board with
powers that would furnish greater OPP
9ortunities Of oppression and Of graft
than are given TO any officials in any
free country, and they are asked 20
write these powers into the constitu-
ton, where they cannot be changed
And what would they gain byitY We
are told that the beard needs sll these
powers TO protect the people. Protect
Them from whom7 Protect them from
from whatf The Governor started out
with the assumption that the board
e0uld protect the people from the
claims Of the railroads. Now he adj
mits, IS ne had 70 admit, that whatever
cIaim the railroads can have on the
public lands they already have; that
these claims are IN litigation and win
be decided b. The courts; that 4 the
'courts decide IA favor Of the railroads
tke trustees, with all their powers, win
have "a obsg.
f3 this amendment should be adopted
Il woNld not Be |onQ bef0fe thcuuande
81 men l0 voted foF ~ adoption would
bitt glg regret thaif votbe Their re-
greet EcaIa be too late The only intel
lneat ana patriotic eontro thc tltctaf
en- t o vote fRalrt ffh
4na tI 0rIt