Live Oak daily Democrat. (Live Oak, Fla.) 190?-190?, 1907-04-02
eourRSoR BROWARD DELIVERS
wrssaGE TO THE LEGISLA-
TURE TODAY
uPogIANI RECOMMENDATIONS
k.xatiou, Schools, Life Insurance,
ro,victs. Good Roads, Increase Pay
tor County Commissioners Pro
ufnent Parts Of Message
nwecutivs once, Tallahassee. Fla. ,
Anr3l 2 1907,

,recutiye once, Tallahassee. Fa..
April Q, 1907.
Gentlemen OF the Senate and House
4 Representatives: =
AS directed by the Constitution l.
herewith submit for your Considers
Ion the following information con-
ern;ng the condition OF the State,
md nv recommendations In regard
such measures as deem expedi-
mt ands proper to call to your atten-
ION 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-
borts OF tie conduct and management
n the Various interests committed to
hem, setting forth the condition and
brogress OF the various matters under
heir care.
Florida has had unexxmpled pros
berity and material advancement since
he last session Of the Legislature,
md her marvellous natural resources
Ind adaptability for such varied pur-
butts and industries ASSURE her q con-
tinuance Of this material progress and
prosperity. And while this condition
Is one which should AL us with pride
hnd ambition for the future Of the
State, Wise and intelligent states
manship would dictate that It should
be your special care to so guard the
sources OF wealth and prosperity that
reckless and prodfgal use Of their
abundance may not destroy them.
The Comptroller's Report. submit
Red shows that the assessed valuation
Of the whole State IN 1901 was ss7.-
|65l 1872, and afor the year 1906 was
3l4z ,oiS ,S71, thus showing a gain for
the period Of FIVE years Of S44. 4e7, :
s7s. or 4s.5 per cent.
Taxation. -"
Taxation should receive your earn
est, careful and early attention. Do
mot delay the preparation and icongid-
|eration 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-
Ieration. 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 conn-
ties for purely county purposes and
expenditures. -.
The Comptroller's Report was. Bal
ance. 1927 1868. IA; direct tax, 1904 .
1905, 1906, $1Ss. 432. IL; other sources
1872, 4s1: 80, making a total Of $3.50, :
7S1.46. There were disbursed for
expenses of Legislative, Executive
and judicial Departments OF the State
administration in 1906, S154. 275 "a i,
and for other purposes, $61S, 977. SO,
The receipts from the General Rev.
enue tax levied for each OF the years
1905 and 1906 AMOUNTED, TO less than
$2o0 600. and this goes into the Gen
eral Revenue Fund: but from this fund
appropriations for schools alone,
amounting to Sz02 500, were made for
year 1sos-o6; and further appropria-
tons for schools amounting to s2O2. =
eH were made for the year 1e06-07.
Thus II Will be seen that while a tax
levy OF II mills is nominaIly made
Tor the General Revenue Fund for
each of the years 1905 and, 1906. none
OF the receipts from such levy are
used Tor the ordinary expenses of the
state. since, In addition to paying all
costs Of collecting and administering
oil the funds above mentioned, more
money is taken from the General Rev.
enue Fund for Schools alone than goes
INTO II from taxation. az ,..
Florida State Troops. .t.
It is matter for congratulation to
the people of this State that the or
saniEed militia Of Florida Is being
rapidly put upon an efficient basis.
Your attention IL, respectfully invited
70 the recommendations upon these
various matters contained in the an
aual report OF the Adtu ant General
deem it of utmost Importance thai
you should provide for the erection Of
suitable State Arsenal at some cen.
eral point In the State
franchise Tax.
recommend the enactment OF 6