The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1907-04-03
SpeclaI e. The journal.

| follows:
Executive Office, Tallahassee, Fla. I.
April ?, 1907.
Gentlemen of the Senate and House
OF Representatives:
AS directed by the Constitution,
herewith submit for your considera-
ton the following information con-
corning the condition of the State,
and my recommendations in regard
to such measures as 1 deem expedi-
ent and proper TO call to your atten-
| ton and consideration at this time.
The various departments of the
State Government and the Boards
Bureaus and Institutions connec ed
Herewith have submitted TO you re-
ports OF the conduct and management
of the various interests committed TO
them, setting forth the condition and
progress of the various matters uEder
their care.
Florida has had unexampled pros
perity and material advancement since
the last session of the Legislature,
and her marvellous natural resources
and adaptability for such varied pur-
suits and industries assure her a con-
tinuance of this material progress and
prosperity. And while his condition
Is one which should I'LL US with pride
and ambition for the future of the
State, wise and Intelligent states
manShip would dictate that ii should
be your special care to so guard the
sources Of wealth and prosperity that
a reckless and prodigaI use OF their
abundance may not destroy them.
The Comptroller's Report, submit
ted shows that the assessed valuation
OF the whole State IN 1901 was SGT
551, 1872, and for the year 1906 WAS
$142. o1S ,S71, thus showing a gain for
the period Of Ave years Of s44, 49,
679, or 45.5 per cent.
Taxation.
Taxation should receive your earn
est, careful and early attention. Do
not delay the preparation and consid-
Grafton Of the various appropriation
and revenue bills concerning this most
important matter until the work of
the closing days Of the session will
prevent its proper and careful consid-
GRAFTON. The cardinal principle of
taxation is TO distribute the burden
equally. Under the system as now
operated taxes are collected in the
various counties and RENTED to the
States and then sent back to the coun-
ties for purely county purposes and
expenditures.
The Comptroller's Report was: Bal
epce, S127 1858 Al; direct tax, 1904,
1905. 1856. s1Ss. 432. IL; other sources
s572 491. SO. making a total of $685.
7s7 .4G. There we're disbursed for
expenses of Legislative, Executive
and Judicial Departments Of the State
administration in 1906, 1854 275. "a,
and for other purposes, s61S, GIT. 90.
The receipts from the General Rev
enue tax levied for each of the years
1905 and 1906 amounted to less than
$500 900, and this goes into the Cen
eral Revenue Fund; but from this fund
appropriations for schools alone,
amounting to s2o2 500, we're made for
year 1905-06; and further appropria-
tons for schools amounting to S202,-
500 were made for the year I906-O7.
Thus 1t will be seen that while a tax
for the General Revenue Fund for
each of the years 1906 and 1906, none
OF the receipts from such levy are
used for the ordinary expenses OF the
State, since, in addition to paying all
costs Of collecting and administering
all the funds above mentioned, more
money is taken from the General Rev
enue Fund for Schools alone than goes
into 1t from taxation.
Florida State Troops.
II Is a matter for congratulation to
the people OF this State that the or
ganiZed militia Of Florida is being
rapidly put upon an efficient basis.
Your attention Is respectfully invited
70 the recommendations upon these
various matters contained In the an
nual report Of the AdJutant General
/ deem It OF utmost Importance that
you should provide for the erection OF
q suitable State Arsenal at some CEN
trail point N the State
Franchise Tax.
recommend the enactment OF .
law authorizing the levying OF a tax
upon franchises. 1 therefore urge
that law be enacted making fran
chises taxable at their real value.
and taxed as other property. either
together with the tangible property
used in connection with the franchise
or separately.
Railroad Legislation.
In discussing the question concern
ing the operation of railroads in this
State. | do so with a full realization
OF the mutual obligations and de-
pendeuce which exists between the
railroads and the public. Unreason-
able and onercus burdens should not
be laid upon these corporate enter
prises which have so materially and
especially developed the resources of
our State. ! again recommend, as
/ did 10 the Legislature of 1905. tina:
the Railroad Commission be made
unconstitutional branch or tho S-a+e