The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1913-04-20

CONTINUED From First Page.)
Is greater than the population Of six
teen other counties in the state.
The counties affected would lose
assessed property valuation as fol-
lows: Bradford. s61.230; Clay, $685.
457; Putnam, $476,940: AIachua, ST.
243.0s2. Telegraph telephone and
Standard Oil properties In Putnam,
Clay and Bradford counties are not
included In these figures.'
For years past the sections affected
have not had a fair division in the
matter OF good roads appropriations"
said Mr.. Kite. land the only hope of
the people Is to organize q county for
themselves. The movement Is natur-
ally meeting with strong opposition
from interested parties, but l hope to
win before the session ends. II not
session"
THE LEASE SYSTEM.
Reapportionment and abolition OF
the convict lease system on the most
common sense and business like plan
are the principal hobbies of State Sen
ator 3. Ell. Lindsey, a West F1oridian
who combines legislative ability with
the business mans thor 11ghness and
respect for detail. He is chairman OF
the senate committee which has charge
Of all abolition bills. and hopes that
from the various measures introduced
one that will meet every need will be
drafted by the joint senate and house
committee.
There is no more important matter
for consideration than that of reappor-
tioning the state on just basis" said
Senator Lindsay, 'sbut the problem Is
about the hardes& that has confronted
me In some time, not excepting even
the lease system question. That the
state should be reappo-ttoned is sadly
evident to all who look at the matter
from a just, unbiased standpoint, as
under present conditions the smaller
counties have the advantage of the
larger ones. I have tried to interest
many legislators in the subject but
those from the smaller counties do not
seem to be willing to aid any move
ment which viii give the larger coun-
ties proper representation. although all
sesfshness should be thrown aside in
q case Of this character. do not be-
Heve there Is any chance to cut down
the representation of any county. and
the only solution. insofar as the lcgis-
lature is concerned, seems to be that
OF giving the, larger counties increased
representation This would make the
house Of representatives a more I'M
wieldy body than 1t is at present, some
may argue, but the rapid increase in
population Will within few years
make an increase In representation
imperative. sincerely hope some
thing will be done in the matter be-
fore the legislature adjourns."
ABOLITION OF LEASE
Having worked convicts on turpen-
tine farms for several years, Senator
Lindsay is well qualified to handle the
situation as chairman OF the senate
suggestions have been made as to the
best method of abolishing. the lease
system" said he, among these being
those OF Governor Trammen. Comp
troller Knott and Commissioner Of
Agriculture McRae, who Is well in
formed on the subject. Most OF the
bills introduced contain good features
and from these the legislature will, l
believe, adopt the best possible plan.
THE desire to abolish the lease sys-
tenn is general throughout the state |
and in both branches of the legisla-
ture, which is natural. However, in
Simultaneous abolition would throw on
the people a burden of something like |
million dollars, and the state Is not |
in condition to stand the shock I |
think abolition should be and will be
provided for, with the convicts being
withdrawn gradually as the state can /
prepare to care for them on the prison
farm. to be established in Bradford |
county. This institution should be |
made a model one In every particular |
1.-THE lessees are now paying the |
state $2S1.60 for each convict leased |
and they suitcase them for $500. !
Therefore, their margin of profit is at
the present rate $154,000, minus the
actual expense OF keeping the prison |
ers until they are turned over to the |
sub lessees. 1t seems to me that the !
state should have been coming in for /
some Of this profit. My experience is |
that with very rare exceptions, the |
prisoners leased in Florida have been
accorded the best Of treatment, being /
given the best of food and medical at |
tention, and the business has been
conducted with credit to the lessees I
md "a Cfo 70