The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1911-12-10

commission. / related to him my for
mer correspondence and told him that
in my opinion the president of the
/. & n. was probably thinking of this
CORES pondence when he requested him
to convey the information OF this pro-
posed reduction to the governor.
claim, however. no credit for this re-
duction. l simply state this to show
my action in that which pertains to
the interest of the people.
This is the first administration to
remove from the lease and hire of state
ConVictS the women and old and in
firm. | recommended to the legisla-
tire the purchase of a convict farm.
By authority of the legislature a farm
of 1860 acres was purchased. This
is a splendid piece of land. 1t is stu
ated III Bradford county. The land is
well drained and is underlaid with
clay. On the west for three or four
railroad; on the east, it extends to
within three or four miles of the S. A.
l.. railroad in the vicinity of Lawtey.
In my opinion, suitable penitentiary
should be built upon this land before
the convicts are placed upon the roads.
convicts should never be placed upon
the roads.
Abolish Teehnicalities.
l have been specially interested in
the ena ctment of laws by which right
and justice would have at least equal
weight with the technicalities of due
process of law" The legislature of
1911 took long step forward in pass
ing the English act of 1873:
No Judgment shall be reversed or
set aside or new trial granted in any
case on the ground of misdirection of
the jury or an improper admission or
rejection of evidence, or for error as to
unless in the opinion of the court, to
which application is made, after eX-
animation of the entire cause, it shall
appear that the error complained of
has resulted in a miscarriage of JUS
tice.''
This law passed the national house
of representatives by an unanimous
vote. 1t has lately been incorporated
in a. part of the constitution of the
state Of California. 1t was urged and
recommended by the American Bar
Association and by President Taft. It
is law in the state of Wisconsin. AT
my urgent solicitation, the legislature
of 1911 authorized the appointment by
the governor Of three commissioners
to report prior to the converting of the
next legislature, recommending the
passage of such laws as may be
deemed necessary. Simplification OF
court procedure is contemplated in
this resolution adopted by the legis2
lature. I appointed three able jurists
Chief Justice J. B. Whitfield, w A
Blount and C. M. Cooper. Upon my
urgent solicitation, the legislature OF
1911 authorized the appointment OF
three commissioners to report to the
next legislature on the revision of the
laws relating to taxation. Our sys-
tenn of taxation is very imperfect.
have appointed on such commission
three able citizens of the state, w. S
Jennings. T. L. Clarke and e. S. Mat
thews. I was particularly interested
in the law establishing a hospital fol
INDECENT cripple children of the state
Such a law was passed by the legisla-
ture of 1911. hope that this, sooner
or later, will become the Johns Hop
knis institute of Florida.
had rather be instrumental in the
establishment of such hospital, ant
instrumental in the simplification OF
the laws of the state. than to be gov
ernor.
Everglades Drainage.
AS to drainage of the Everglades
On December 10, 1845, the governor OF
Florida approved resolution instruct
ing the senators and Representatives
in congress to try to induce the gov