The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1911-04-07
THE GOVERNORS MESSAGE


of the presidents. 1t numbers more
than one hundred pages.
Enacted to give the poor man a
chance, he shows that the primary sys-
tenn in selecting a senator to succeed
Senator Taliaferro in the United
States senate caused the expenditure
by the candidates themselves of $104,-
996.S0. The office pays for the entire
six years only $4,000. However, not
withstanding it's extravaganza, and
that it destroys the democratic the
DRY of the office seeking the man and
not the man the office" the governor
says that it is his opinion that the sys-
tenn is here to stay. This paper does
not believe a word of it, and when put
TO the test, as it will be some OF these
days, the old convention system will
be restored, hands down.
The next item taken up by the gov
ernor is that of the state convicts. He
thinks that part of the money deriv-
ed from the hire of the convicts, say
$4,000, should be allowed the state to
be expended at the hospital for the in
sane, or for taking up the bonded in
debtedness of the state.
He says that the public debt of the
state consists solely of bonds amount
ing to 1901, SOC, bearing interest at the
rate of per cent. per annum, and is
held by the state board of education.
The governor devotes seven pages
to section IL of the Florida declara-
ton of rights, which declares that no
one shall "be deprived of life, liberty
or property without due process OF
law" He holds that under this declar-
alton no man should be deprived OF
life, liberty or property by the inter
vention of technicalities. The law and
the facts, when mans life, liberty or
property is at stake, should be clear
and unequivocal.
The governor next tells of the state
prison farm and the board of pardons.
He says that it is better to keep man
from becoming criminal than to
make a criminal of him He recon-
mends alternative sentences, and
that the appropriations for the state
reform school should be increased.
He urges the adoption of Juvenile
courts and says that larceny and kin
dred crimes should be combined in one
offense to avoid miscarriage of JUS
tice.
Always prolific subject, the gov
ernor enters at some length upon the
subject of taxation. His information
and recommendations along this line
cover nine pages.
The governor says that graduated
inheritance tax is just, and that such
a law should be enacted.
He says that automobiles should re-
Quire annual registration and license
of motor vehicles, chauffeurs, etc. He
cites the law in effect in several states.
He says that trust companies should
be required to give proper authority
for faithful discharge of obligations.
Prompt accounting for public mon
eys should be required, and penalties
for failure should be adequate.
He says that county treasurers
should be required to render itemized
statements with proper vouchers
monthly.
He says that county funds deposited
in banks should be properly protected
and should draw interest.
The governor says that sherins
should be paid salaries, and should not
be required to hound down petty Of
tenders to make his office self-support-
ing. Here is where the governor
speaks a parable, and should be
awarded a medal. He hits an abuse
squarely on the head.
The governor devotes fourteen or
fifteen pages to the discussion OF the
i. /. fund, which for many years has
been a prolific subject for criticism
and discussion. He delves into the
drainage matter quite lengthily and
tells of the progress of the work.
He said that the homestead laws
should require term of actual settle
ment. Says that informers in liquor
cases should be repealed, and cites
Judge Bullock's opinion on the same
wherein he says that it is "a premium
on perjury"
In the appointment of judges and
state attorneys he says that he will
not be bound by the recommendations
of the bar, but will receive a recon-
mendation from said body with all due
Difference.
He says that the law requiring that
cash shall be paid in advance in JUS
tees court is unjust, hindrance to
Justice and should be repealed.
The governor devotes three or four
nages TO the public schools and univer-