The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1911-04-02

iting expenses to be incurred by can
didates, and providing for the second
choice ballot, by which voters may
express their first and second prefer
erences in one primary, thereby elm
mating the vexatious and usually
muddy" second campaign while at the
same time preserving the vital priu-
cipIs Of majority rule
The Fee System.
One or more bills will be introduced
seeking to place county officials upon
stated salaries, instead Of the present
fee system, and this VIII meet with
spirited opposition on the part OF
good many who are personally inter-
ested in the present system by virtue
Of holding county ofices-this. Of
course, does not apply to members Of
the 1egislature-and amongst those
who have other objections to the pro-
posed change It is likely that hard
fight viii ensue on this question
The State convicts.
Another question that will receive
attention is the convict lease system,
the four years from the time the pres
emit lease was let expiring before an
other session of the legislature con-
vefles. The legislature Of 1909 appro-
prfated $50, 10000 for the purchase of
prison farm. and this money recent
ly became available. The board of
commissioners of state institutions
have purchased 5000 acres of land In
the farming and strawberry section
OF Bradford county at five dollars per
acre, and have taken an option upon
1000 acres more adjoining the lands
purchased. Here a prison farm will be
established, for female prisoners, and
men physically unable to perform the
work expected Of leaesd convicts, and
the lands purchased also provide an
excellent site for q system Of taking
care Of all convicts should the present
lease system be abandoned in the fu
ture. Great care was exercised by
the board in making this purchase, and
out Of the numerous tracts offered and
Investigated by the states agent, some
six or seven were personally inspect
ed by committees Of the board, I'm
GLIDING the governor, with the results
as stated above.
Other Legislation.
Railroad rate regulation, and IN
creasing the powers Of the railroad
commission, usually receive due atter
ton at the hands of the legislature,
and it is probable that this session
viii not be lacking in bills upon either
subject, since the methods Of set
ting peculiar problems involved are
ones which others, must be improved
upon from time to time
Governor Gilchrist's strong idea Is
the reform Of court procedure. and 1t
Is assumed, while nothing has been
given out, that he will treat this sub
ject again either in his biennial mes
sage to the legislature. or in a special
communication. Another subject in
which the governor has manifested g
great interest is that OF good roads.
Several bills affecting the public
school system viii probably be intro
duced, including q constitutional
amendment authorizing counties and
municipalities to issue bonds for school
purposes, a special tax for the rural
schools and state colleges, compulsory
education within certain limitations,
and one providing a severer punish
ment than now prescribed for cheating
IN teachers examinations.
/ 0CNCAdA OAAAS may dA5O Dc PdS5Cu PCT
fecting the insurance laws Of the state
now in force, including the proposed
law for the regulation Of fraternaI tn
surance orders agreed upon by the
National Convention Of Insurance Com
lmissioners and representatives of the
leading fraterna1 orders, to cure what
Is recognized as a very unsatisfactory
condition OF the fraterna1 insurance
laws prevailing throughout the coun-
try generally. Bills win probably be
introduced also requiring a deposit ii
insurance companies sufficient TO AFFORD
lprotection to Florida po1icyholders
without imposing undue or unneces-
sary burdens upon the companies
Measures may also be considered fol
the prevention OF the fire loss in this
state. which in some cases has beer
rather high, and which 1t is believed
could be materially reduced through
the passage and enforcement or suit
able legislation.
!. On the whole, the prospects arr
good for a quiet session, and IL THU
legislature will profit by the expert.
ence of former bodies and not delas
too much legislation until the closins
hours or days, its possibilities for goot
work are within wide limits.
Megargel Means Business
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