The weekly true Democrat., 1908-04-24
S. J. HLBURN
OF PALATKA
Candidate for Ls6isIaturs. His Plat
form.

IeAAAN~eN AAA ~ ~MA4a8taAge AAAa FAlN-
form.
From the platform of Hon. s. J.
Hilburn, candidate for the Legislature
from Putnam county, we take the fol-
lowing:
ECONOMY.
The administration of our State gov
ernment has become too expensive.
Nearly every Legislature enacts laws
raising the salaries of officers, making
many new offices, enlarging the clerical
forces in the different departments and
in the several state Offices that are not
necessary, apprOpriating money tomany
objects and enterprises that could easily
be dispensed with, thereby making the
burden Of taxation too heavy upon our
people. shall oppose all expenditures
Of the peoples money except such as
may be absolutely necessary in an hon
est and economical administration of
our affairs.
STATE LANDS.
Under the present law the Trustees of
the Internal Improvement Fund are au-
thOrized to sell the State lands to any
person, at any time and at any price
they may see fit; secretly, behind closed
doors, as they see fit. The lands are be-
ing rapidly disposed of at small prices
and sometimes almost given away. Oc-
casionally the people learn of dlspOsi-
ton of their lands, but usually they
know nothing about it, as the sales are
private, only the trustees and the pur-
chaser knowing of the transaction.
Millions of acres of the peoples lands
have been thus disposed Of, which
means that millions Of dollars have been
lost.
Only last year the trustees sold to
Mr.. M. Neff all of the l. /. F. lands in
Putnam and Clay counties, and at pri-
vate sale, for the paltry sum Of one dol
lar per.acre. Mr. Neff Immediately sold
to Colonel j. B. D. Woodburn the Put
nam county lands, embracing about
3, 600 acres, for three dollars per acre.
You see the State lost about $6,O0O.O0
On this remnant Of Putnam county
lands. What was lost on the Clay Coun-
BY lands do not know. This is a very
.rlfiing affair, however, when compared
with the sale of other State lands
the State. You have heard
4 great deal said about these lands,
politicians have told you they were be-
ng stolen and that they should be saved.
! ct this method Of disposition is stillin
.oree hnd the lands are rapidly being
disposed of at d great loss to the State.
llbs Temnauf of those lands that has
lot been disposed OF can be saved 10
he peOplean all rake offs" and temp
ations to Gefraud the State in their dis
osition can be removed.
The remedy is simple, il is this:
lave the legislature enact a law re-
uiring the trustees of the l. /. Fund
yhen they conclude to sell any lands to
dvertise Same in the county wherein
he lands are located, and also in a few
the leading state papers, for thirty
avs, giving everyone an opportunity
} send in a written bid therefor. and
sell the same to the highest bidder.
ct such act prevent a sale of such
nds in any other manner. Such law
oil make it impossible for any one.
neither railroad, corporation, or any
ersOn, to steal the public lands or to
st them at a sacrifice. Had such a
W been passed even ten years ago, it
ould have saved perhaps a million dol
rs 10 the people of the state. During
q last session Of the legislature I pre-
'red bill embracing the above prin-
pie, and Hon. G. A. Dupont, represen-
tive from st. Johns county, promised
introduce it. At the close Of the ses-
)n he said that the reason he had not
ne so was that Senator Trammell ask
him not to do so, as he had intro
ced one In the senate, but he said Mr..
ammel failed to call his bill up until
was too late, hence the law was not
ssed. If elected, / shall introduce
ch a bill and work for its passage.
SCHOOLS.
have been chairman Of the Board
Public Instruction Of Putnam county
several years. / have become in
lsely interested in our public schools.
len / went on the board It was heav-
indebted and the teachers warrants
re discounted. The board has wiped
this indebtetness completely with
requiring 2 greater levy Of taxes
n had previOll ly been levied. The
ldren must be educated at home;
y Few are able to attend college.
must improve and maintain the
'ie schools. am in favor of our
Je colleges, but the public schools
more important and must have the
and most careful consideration.
AVAILABLE FUNDS.
he Attorney General has rendered
opinion, and | believe it is sound,
ing that the schools are entitled to
nty-hve per cent. of all the funds
we'd from e sale Of the state lands.
sc funds have never been turned
to the school authorities. III prop
preserved, Il g - immense fund.