The Palatka news. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1905-1908, 1907-04-05
GOVERNOR BROWARD'S
MESSAGE TO FLOR
IDA SOLONS.
Haeoutive Office, Tallahassee, Fla.
April 2, 1907.

April 2, 1907.
Gentlemen of the Senate and Hous,
Of Representatives:
As directed by the Constitution,
herewith submit for your ,considera.
tion the following information con
cerning the condition of the State
and my recommendations In regard
to such measures as l deem expedi-
snt and proper to call to your atten-
tiop 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
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 suoh 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 $97, =
561, 1872, and for the year 1906 was
$142, 01S, S71, thus showing a gain for
the period OF five years Of S44 467, :
67s, or 46,5 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 remitted 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 1863 "A; direct tax, 1904,
1905, 1906, $1S9, 1872 12; other sources
$572 491 80, making a total of $3.50,
1877 46. There were disbursed for
expenses of Legislative, Executive
and Judicial Departments of the State
administration in 1906, 1854 275 "a,
and for other purposes, $61S, ,977 f, SO.
The receipts from the General Rev
enue tax levied for each of the years
1905 and 1906 amounted to less than
$500, 600, and this goes into the Gen
eral Revenue Fund; but from this fund
appropriations for schools alone,
amounting to S202 800, were made for
year 1905-06; and further appropria-
tions for schools amounting to S202, =
500 were made for the year 1906-07.
Thus 1t will be seen that while tax
levy OF IN mills Is nominally made
for the General Revenue Fund for
each Of the years 1908 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 It from taxation.
Florida State Troops.
1t Is matter for congratulation to |
the people of this State that the Or
ganired militia of Florida is being
Rapidly put upon an efficient basis.
Your attention is respectfully invited
to 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 in the State.
Franchise Tax.
l recommend the enactment of a
law authorizing the levying of tax
upon franchises. I 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
ng the operation of railroads in this
State, do so with a full realization
Of the mutual obligations and de-
'endence which exists between the
'ailroads and the public. Unreason-
'ble and onerous burdens should not
% laid upon these corporate enter
'rises which.-have so materially and
especially developed the resources of
'ur state. | again recommend, as
did TO the Legislature of 1905, that
he Railroad Commission be made a
constitutional branch of the State
government, In view of the very
erious conditions brought about by
he lack OF physical equipment OF
many OF the railroads in this State,
nd the consequent loss and damage
o the business, and the loss of life
nd the increased danger to passen-
'er traffic, also deem it proper to
epeat my recommendation to the
.egi5.stufe of 1905 in regard to en-
owering the Railroad Commission te
make suitable provisions for the in
pection of the physical condition Of