The Ocala evening star., 1911-04-01
SOME NEEDFUL REFORMS

Several of our citizens were discuss
ing yesterday the Importance of legis-
1ation which the present legislature
would be called on to enact. They
deemed the session the most import
ant Of any legislative body that has
ever convened in Florida.
Among the important measures that
will come up for their consideration
will be to change the constitution OF
the state so that the fee system as ap-
plies to Offices of the state will be-
changed TO a fixed salary. For in
stance, in Hillsboro county the fee
system gave the county treasurer
$4,000 a year. This office is about as
useful as is the fifth wheel to a wag-
on. for any bank is ready to the work
Of that office and give bond for same,
for the use they get out of the SURPLUS
funds. In Hillsboro county in the last
campaign a good old Confederate vet
eran took the stump against, the oc-
cupant of this office who held it for
years and said il elected he would
perform the duties of said office at a
salary Of $4,000 a year and turn the
balance of fees into the county treas
ury for school purposes. Many of the
politicians laughed at his simplicity.
The occupant of the office and his
friends shouted at the old veteran,
bribery. trying to buy the votes of the
taxpayer and many people thought the
old grizzled warrior hadn't a ghost of
a show, but when the votes were
counted the old man won out and true
to his promises made, is turning into
the county treasury quite a neat sum
for the benefit of the school children
OF Hillsboro county.
1t is needless to add in all the large
cities and counties of the state quite a
number of officers, such as county
! clerks. county treasurers, sheriffs. etc,
receive more compensation in conduct
ing the office under the fee system
half a dozen times over than their
ability could earn for them in any 9TH
er capacity. Then why not change n
system that fifty years ago was suit
ed TO the condition of things as they
then existed in our sparsely settled
state, but long since outgrown. A sys-
tenn that is unjust, unfair and in many
instances iniquitous and should be
changed.
Then comes the question of increas-
ing the judgeship with five additional
judges. 1t is true that population and
business has greatly grown in the
state within the past ten years and
some judges have more than is fair
and equitable but why not apportion
the work and let all the judges take a
hand in the relief of the overworked
ones. 1t may be we'll to make a pro-
visional relief as the demands of re-
adjusted labor among the judiciary
calls for, but to create outright five
additional circuits does not seem wise
or prudent The confirming by the
legislature of the u. s. corporation tax.
OF course the Florida legislature will
enact this fair and just law. Then
comes the matter of redistricting the
state in it's representation in the low
er house and in the Senate. AS it
stands now most unfair and unequita-
BILE. At present you see small cOun-
ty with a small population represented
by one and two representatives and a
senator, while in other cases two or
three counties entitled to only one
state senator. while counties with five
and ten times their population and
commercial interests having only the
same representation as the smaller
counties. In years past. shortly after
reconstruction times, such necessary
legislation was deemed essential for
the well being of the state politically
but that condition has passed never to
return. So be fair and square and
meet out to all the people of the state
the political representation they are
entitled to under the republican sys-
tenn OF government.
Again. there is the congressional re-
districting. Florida is entitled to an
extra congressman, under the late con-
gressional reapportionment and it will
be the duty of the legislature to make
1t effective. OF course it goes for the
saying that the legislature in joint
session will ratify the voice of the
people in promptly electing Hon. N. P
Bryan senator.
The convict system will no doubt re-
ceive careful consideration and in their
deiiberation end this iniquitous sys-
tenn Of selling human beings into slav-
cry. by substituting their labors on the
public highways and the creation o1
state farms. on which they wilE create
their own bread, ETC.. and~with it q
state system of good roads so formu-
lated that the work will reach out
from the progressive and wide awake
counties that have already inaugural.
ed this important and vital movement
and make connecting links throu gf
Z those to a compact state system and il
this measure we trust will embody
bounties or bonuses to such counties
who have made good roads. are still
making them and for the enterprise
shown encourage them to better ant
greater work in constructing good
highways.
Then there was the game law as /
existed. This too was discussed ant
the enthusiasts discussers thought i
should be either abolished or so amend
ed that 1t would not be a sop to tn,
town folks. to the denial of the coun
try people, on whose lands the gam
breeds and comes to maturity. for tn
pleasure and delectation, in man.
cases to persons who never pay cen
of the public taxes, or a very small
per cent of them.
And 50 the discussion and comment
ran and in a general way very inter
esting and very suggestive. All o
which we respectfully submit to Mar
ions bunch of legislators for thei
careful consideration.
Mr.. F.. c. Mcleod returned yester
day from Dunnellon. where all tn