The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1912-04-07
Pa TT @ r M A:

The voters of Florida are called upon
| to decide many grave issues at the
| spring primaries. Recognizing that ii
| will be impossible for me to meet each
| man personally, and realizing also that
advance consideration will enable
| those who hear my discussions on the
stump to better understand my posi-
ton. l have prepared and publish be
| low synopsis of the sixteen cardinal
reforms and principles advocated in
my platform
It is the patriotic duty of all citizens
| to study the issues before them, in
order that their suffrage shall con-
| tribute to the progress and prosperity
of their commonwealth, the welfare Of
their communities and the advance
ment of the public interests Of our so
cial organizations. Almost every dec-
laration of my platform strikes d.
rectly home to loyal and true F1orid-
ians, and each should be earnestly and
intelrgently considered. / am asking
the people of Florida to make me their
governor as the measure of their full
approval OF my attitude on these ques-
tons.
My record as a public servant should
be sufficient to guarantee the justice
and safe conservatism of my attitude
toward any other important questions
which may arise at a later period.
have always and consistently been on
the side Of the whole people as against
any cabal, clique, special or predatory
interests-as my record in the legts-
lature will demonstrate. I advocate
and stand for a conservative, business
administration Of the affairs Of the
state of Florida II elected, shall
undertake to perform my part of a
great work as thoroughly and pa
tiently as If engaged in the manage
ment of q vast business enterprise OF
my own. Under such an administra-
tion, Florida should move rapidly for
ward In all lines Of progress, and the
full measure of prosperity which our
diversified resources promise should
be realized.
My platform Is as follows:
Firsf-RaiIroa6 Commission.
Extended and increased powers to
the railroad commission, which will in
sure the utmost rights for the ship
pers and which will guarantee proper
and equitable rates.
The time is at hand when. IN justice
to the people Of Florida, the railroa
commission shall be given the in
creased powers necessary to enable II
to perform effectively the duties for
which 1t should rightly be held re-
sponsible. The disparity between the
palatial tourist trains and those which
as locals is entirely too great and the
railroads should be forced by law to
do in intraState business what COM
petition forces them 70 do in interstate
passenger traffic. There are many
matters Of schedules and other fea-
lures of service. both by the railroads
and the telephones and telegraphs. in
which the people Of the state are fla
gravity and repeatedly imposed upon.
Hardly a single citizen Of Florida viii
fail to recognize one or more such in
stances in his experience with common
carriers. The railroad commission IS
at all times composed Of just and rea-
sonable men who VIII not abuse or
misuse the power conferred upon them.
Second-Convict Lease System. .
The convict lease system of Florida
is g brutalizing one. am in favor OF
its adjustment and the placing OF the
convicts on the public highways Of the
state. Florida needs more good roads,
md believe that they can be best Sc
cured by working our convicts thereon.
Also, the state has no right to profit
by the misfortunes Of its citizens The
actual labor TO maintain the support
Of the convict is all the state is entitled
to- ANY profit should be set aside for
the benefit of the family OF the con-
vicI. Because we should punish the
criminal is no reason why his family
should suffer. On the contrary. they
should be protected and supported by
the convict.
The state convicts wrong doors at
the expense Of the people who pay.
taxes to maintain our police systems,
pay ourejudioiaEy and proE!de-ths ma