The weekly true Democrat. (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1905-1912, 1907-04-05

April 2, 1907.
Gentlemen OF the Senate and House
of Representatives:
AS directed By the Constitution, l
herewith submit for your considera-
ton the following information con-
corning the condition of the State,
and my recommendations in regard
10 such measures as I deem expedi-
emit 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 connected
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 under
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 this 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 1t should
be your special care to so guard the
sources Of wealth and prosperity that
a reckless and prodigal 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 S97,
ISL, 1919, and for the year 1906 was
S142, O1S ,S71, thus showing a gain for
the period OF ave years Of $44, 467, =
go, or 45.5 per cent.
Taxation.
Taxation should receive your earn
est, careful and early attention. Do
not delay the preparation and consld-
Grafton of the various appropriation
and revenue bills oohesrning 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
ance, 1927 1858 "A; direct tax, 1904
1906, 1906, $3.50, 432 .12; other sources
S572 ,491 80, making a total OF $3.50 =
7S7. 46. There were dlsbursed for
expenses of Legislative, Executive
and Judicial Departments OF the State
administration In 1906. 1854, 275 "a
and for other purposes, 1918, ST. SO
The receipts from the General Rev
enue tax levied for each OF the years
1906 and 1906 amounted to less than
$500 900, and this goes into the Gen
eral Revenue Fund but from this fund
appropriations for schools alone
amounting to 1902 800, were made fol
year 1905 -O6: and further appropria
tions for schools amounting to 1902.
500 were made for the year i9O6-O7
Thus II will be seed thar while a tai
levy OF ~ mills Is nominally made
for the General Revenue Fund FOL
each OF the years 1905 and 1906. none
Of the receipts from such levy are
used for the ordinary expenses ~ thu
State, sincs. 10 addition to paying Al
costs Of collecting and administering
all the funds above mentioned. more
money iS taken from the General Rev.
snue Fund for Schools alone than gOei
into n from taxation.
Florida state Troops.
RIA matter for consratulation Il
ths people OF this state that he or
nAni1od militia OF Florida Ia besnI
YaVidly put upon an emcient basis
Year attention IL respectfully invites
% the recommendation upon thes'
various matters contained In the an
AuAl report Of the AdJutant General
! deem Il OF utmost importance tina
you should provide for the eroctiOn O
q suitable State Arsenal 81 some cen
ITal pOint in the State.
Franchise Tax.
I recommend the enactment OF
law authorizing the levying OF . IA
! upon franchises. / therefore urg
That q law be enacted making fran
chises taxable at their real value
and taxed as other property, elthe
: 1ogethef with the tangible propert
A. a