The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1911-06-10

excessive millage OF four mills for pen
sions practically ties every develops
ment In the state for which appropria-
ton is necessary, making all the ap-i
preparations secondary to the objects
mentioned IN chapter 56o3. This Wilt
necessarily be continued until the levyi
OF four mills for pensions is reducedl
or until the legislature increases thei
miIlaSe for general revenue more than!
two mills thereby Increasing the total
millage for state purposes exceedinE3
seven and a half mills.
In my judgment the pension act
should be changed, striking off of the!
roll those who do not need the pension. |
This could be done by reducing thet
property qualification from $4,000 to al
smaller amount, and by placing a limi-t
tation upon the income for those re-
ceiving pensions. Under the PRESENT.
law, there is absolutely no limitation
upon the income. The following is5
given for information in Virginia, noS
one is entitled to a pension who has n
yearly income Of over 5000, and owns
property exceeding $3.50; in North
Carolina the property valuation is fxedf
at $500, and the annual income at 5000!
have not the property or income
qualih cations Of pensioners in Southl
Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee or Texas.
In Alabama the property qualification
Is $400, income $500. In MiaSissippf
the property qualification Is $500. Il
have not the information as to moons
qualifi cation. In Arkansas the prop
erty qualification is $500, income $50.
In Louisiana, pensioners must be In in
dtgent circumstances and unable to
earn livelihood by their own labor or
skill. In all Of these states limita-
tons as to the value of property and
as to the amount Of annual income are
entirely too small.
Il
one person in Florida is $3.50. would
increase this to $3.50 or to $500 to such
as are totally disabled and who ac-
tuaf1y need the money. / would lower
the property uualif cation from $4,000
to some lower amount I would place
an income qualification. People who
pay much taxes rarely ever object to
the pension tax. People who are poor
and who pay but a small amount Of
taxes complain of paying any taxes for
the benefit Of any one who does not
need the money. Pensions to Confed-
crate veterans who do not need the
money, bring these heroes Of the lost
cause into disrepute.
These amendments to the pension
law, although called general, are usual
ly drawn to meet a special case OF,
some veteran living In the county Of
the member of the legislature who
draws the bill. There are but few
members Of the legislature who would'
vote against any pension bill OF any
nature whatsoever. For instance, this
particular bill passed { e senate by a
vote of 26 to nothing, and parsed the
house by a vote OF 46 to IA. Some,
members Of the legislature win vote
for any pension bill, although IT IL not
demanded by the veterans at large.
Some seem to think that their very
political existence depends upon such
yea vote. A little thought would tell
them that such a bin Is designed, pri-
marily, to place on the pension roll
one or two men. residing in the county
of the introducer of the bill. Every
man in Florida Is in favor Of a PEN
sion to worthy Confederate veterans
who need assistance. Such pensions
should not be of such an amount as TO
prevent the state from making appro-
| priations for worthy purposes.
! Should the next legislature see At to
amend the pension laws, would rec
! ommend the enactment Of new law.
| Under no circumstances would I rec
ommend the passage of law placing
upon the pension roll those who served
no specific length Of time, as does this
/ bill, or the passage of q bill changing
| the time by which soldiers and sailors
! could, on a shorter time Of residence.
receive pensions, as does this BIN,
without a corresponding consideration
being shown to the widows of such,
! soldiers and sailors.
! Very respectfully,
ALBERT w GILCHRIST,
| Governor.