The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1907-02-08
Free Transportation
For Public Officials.

] -
For Public Officials.
The acceptance of free transporta-
| ton by the governor or any member
of his cabinet, or any member of the
| senate or house of representatives OF
the Florida legislature, is expressly
prohibited by statute in this state, and
| for several years these officials have
had to pay their railroad fare when
| travelling.
This law was passed with the idea
/ of removing all forms of temptation
by the railroad corporations from
| these public officials, and the purpose
| of the law is a good one. OF course
it was not expected that every official
coming under its provisions would re-
spect 1t, but that is a matter that
rests with the offending mans con-
science, and the officers OF the law.
II this law has proven good one
for these particular officials, the ques-
ton arises as to whether or not 1t
would be good for all public officers,
state, county and municipal. There
are many county officers in this state
1
with more power, than some Of these
state officials and there is no reason
why the law should not be amended
| so as to include all of them.
For some years, in this state, it was
the custom of the railroads to furnish
free transportation to the shertffs at
all times, and this was done with the
4 hot in &c 10
! the sheriff he would be diligent at all
times in looking after and protecting
the lawful interests of the railroad
company.
In this connection it might be noted
that there are many ways in which
the sheriff could look after the inter-
ests Of corporation, and It is
reasonable to suppose that if a
sheriff thought that railroad COM
pany was going out of its way to be
nice to him, he would go out of his
way at times to be nee to it. AS a
matter of fact this officer can be
nice" to corporation without any in
ducement whatever from the latter.
1t is his duty to protect the corpora
TONS property and interests in GER
tain cases, where his duties are well
defined, and he is under oath. and
bond, to do this. If he fails in the
discharge of his duty in this respect
the railroad company has the same
recourse against the sheriff as has
any other private citizen.
Certainly a sheriff should not be
made to feel under more obligations
to a railroad company, in the dis
charge OF his duties than he would be to
any private citizen. This is only one
instance of where minor, or county,
officer could be Influenced in his of.
fetal acts by the courtesy of the an
nual pass, and what holds good with
the sheriff is true of the other Off
GERS.
The point We make is that all pub
lie officers should be included under
the provisions OF this law Either
abolish the law as it now stands, or
else make IL broad enough to cover
every officer over the discharge of
whose duties railroad or corpora
ton could have any influence by |
means of these passes.
In accordance with the recommen-
dation of the governor of Alabama /
the legislature of that state has re- 4
Gently passed what is known as the
"anti-pass BILL" and the features of 4
the bill appeal to US very strongly. 1t I
provides that no common carrier, /
or its officer or agent, shall give, pro-
cure or deliver to any person any
Tree pass, ticket, or free JranSporta-
tion, or give or allow any rebate, dis /
count or reduction of rates as are Of
fered or given TO the public at large,
except to its employees and their fami-
lies, its officers, agents, surgeons, ply
sicians. and attorneys at law; to min
listers Of religion, travelling secretaries
of Young Mems Christian ASSocia-
tons, inmates of hospitals and charit-
able institutions and persons exclu-
sively engaged in charitable and
eleemosynary work; to INDECENT, des-
dtute and homeless persons, and TO
such persons when transported by
charitable societies or hospitals and
the necessary agents employed IN
such transportation; TO inmates or the
national or state homes for disabled
volunteer soldiers, and of soldiers and
sailors homes, including those about
TO enter and those returning after dis
charge; and boards of managers of
such homes; to the necessary care
takers of live stock. poultry and fruit:
TO employees on sleeping and express
cars, and TO hnemen of telegraph and
telephone companies; to railway mail
service employees. postofice inspect