The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1907-11-21
GOVERNOR sRoWARD's
GOOD SUGGESTIONS

Ocala dwelt at some length on the
fact that the reason there was so much
crude, hasty and imperfect legislation
arose from the fact that the vital sub
jects. the really needed legislation. had
been so little thought about prior to
the assembling Of the Legislature that
IL was no wonder in the short time
the Legislators had TO consider and
fully inform themselves about the
proposed laws, that so great imper-
fectiOns became part Of them. Ac-
cOrding to this idea it would be a good
thing for a Legislature to have a prior
meeting to their regular session. take
up the questions Of most importance
TO the people Of the commonwealth
determine what they should do, then
go home and for a period Of sixty days
or more set themselves to the task of
getting acquainted with all things
bearing on the supposed measures, so
that when they did convene for bust
ness. they. having thoroughly gone
over the proposed measures, could
look at them and discuss them from
every point Of view; not only what
had proved beneficial in other COM
monwealths, but what would best serve
the people of Florida. At night when
Governor BrOward responded To the
toast, Florida he suggested in fur
therance of his proposed plan for
studying the actual conditions and
needs Of the people by the Legislature
for more intelligent and comprehen-
sive insight into proposed laws. that
so far as the people were concerned.
though they are the real sOvereigns,
the vast majority of them have such
a nebulous idea of what is needed.
largely through the lack of informa-
ton along these lines that it would be
a good idea to have what may De
termed a steering committee. thor
oughly informed body Of men of in
telligence. CULTURE and reasearch; men
of the highest character and purest
motives to meet and formulate such
laws as would be needed to meet the
every day wants of the people along
every line of state procedure. and the
opinions so expressed or suggested
put into pamphlet shape and sent to
the voter so they he might become ac-
quainted with the facts and argument
advanced by said steering committee
and at their leisure think over and di-
gest the good and sane ideas and prop
ositiOns advanced. Now this sugges-
tive process at first thought may he
repugnant TO the supposed intelligence
and discernment of the average SOW
ereign because Of the belief that what
the average voter doesn't know about
his local and state needs is not worth
knowing. and hence knowing, will be
sure to instruct his legislator what
measures to promulgate and introduce
when he goes to Tallahassee as a law
maker. But here he is decidedly off,
for how few Of the men that do the
voting ever think or speak except in
a very crude way of what they. the
people. really need. much less instruct
their legislators To try and do for
them and the interests of the state
Most of the newly elected members
appeal to their constituents to make
known their wants in the way of need
ed legislation, but the response is so
meager. or of a purely personal ma
ture that il has no value to the one
that wants comprehensive measures
suggested. But on serious reflection,
would not this idea as expressed hy
the governor. bring about much good
and much needed information. for af-
tel this committee had given their
time. thought. intelligence and judg-
ment on certain desirable measures
for the good Of the state and its tax
payers the press would take them up
and discuss their merits in every pos
sihle light and in this way reinforce
the merits of the suggestive legisla-
ton. or give good and valid reasons
why they should be modified or en-
tirely eliminated and in response 10
this mode Of consideration and reason
ing suggest other measures Of greater
feasibility and enlightenment. After
ali, these measures and means Of Civ
ing the people well digested thoughts
along lines for their betterment and
those Of the state are to be commend
ed. for there is nothing so effective in
clearing the mental vision and correct
ing crude ideas and assisting in max
ing the average voter clearly see in
A rational manner than formulating in
a thoughtful and Intelligent manner
subjects he should be and is deeply
Interested in. if he can be made 70
understand and appreciate the true
Of the governors reasoning along the