The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1912-02-03
RESOLUTIONS OF RESPECT

At a meeting of the governor and
the administrative officers of the ex-
ecutive department of the state of Flor
ida, held in the executive office Feb
End, 1912, the death of the Honorable
Benjamin Ernest McLin. late commits
sioner of agriculture of the state of
Florida, on the night of the 31st of
January, 1912, was announced: where
upon the following resolution was
unanimously adopted and ordered to be
spread upon the records of the ex-
ecutive office
Benjamin Ernest McLin was born at
Jonesboro, Tenn, Sept p, 1851. He
was educated in his native state and at
Hampden-Sydney College. Virginia, af-
ter which he studied law under his
father, Colonel John Blair McLin. Aft
er practicing the legal profession in
Tennessee for ten years. he moved to
Florida in 1885 on account of his wife's
health and engaged in commercial pur-
suits in Lake county. He served by
election as a member of the state SEN
ate in the sessions of 1895. 1897 and
1899 At the democratic state conven-
ton held in 1900, he was nominated for
the office of commissioner of agricul-
ture, was duly elected. and in January,
1901, entered upon the duties of that
office, which he continued to hold under
repeated elections by the people Of
Florida until the time of his death.
Throughout the eleven years of his
service at the head of the states ag-
ricultural department, Mr.. McLin de-
voted to the faithful and conscientious
discharge of the many duties devolving
upon him, all the energies of his mind
and body. His conception of duty as
a public official was at all times kept
upon a high plane and he was very
jealous of the integrity and efficiency
of all his acts. His duties as commits
sioner of agriculture were many and
varied and onerous-suficient to tax
the resources of any man. Mr.. McLin
always faced those duties cheerfully
and with a spirit determined to render
to his state the best and most ben
eficial service that was in him. He
took conspicuous pride in improving
each branch of the public service which
was entrusted to his management and
he has left record of civic and official
effort which his successors may profita-
bly, emulate and his loved ones cherish
with deep satisfaction. In his death
his associates in the public service
are deeply sensible of the loss of a
vo1ued friend and wise counselor, and
Join with his thousands of friends
throughout the state in the grief felt
at the passing of this excellent man
and faithful official.
In consideration of the exalted char
acter which the deceased had consist
emily maintained a citizen, and OF
his long and honorable public service
it is deemed proper that this express
sion of the esteem in which he was
held by his official associates be in
scribed on the archives Of the state
and 1t is hereby ordered. as a mark OF
respect TO his memory, that the flag OF
the state capitol be displayed at half
mast for period of thirty days: that
all Offices in the capitol be closed dur
ing the time fixed for his funeral OBJ
sequies; that an engrossed copy of this
memorial be sent to the widow of the
deceased, conveying the deep sympa-
thy of the subscribers: and that copies
be also sent to the press.