The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1913-01-10

| GOVERNOR Of FLORIDA.
and N the matter of demanding the
| highest service from public officials.
The masses have grasped a full real
izatlon Of the fact that the foundation
of free government rest upon the CON
sent and should be guided by the will
of the people. Government is for the
general good, and that public servant
who fails to honestly exert all his en-
| ergies towards securing the greatest
possible benefits for his constituents
has fallen short of fulfilling the just
and reasonable demands which should
| be expected of those called TO posi-
tons of public trust. Nothing short
of the most constant devotion to duty
is going to satisfy the people under
the happy new conditions of popular
concern about political affairs-and
| believe nothing else should satisfy
them.
For about a score of years the con
test has waged heavily in this cOun-
|
civilized wOrld-between the old or
der of special privilege and the re-
formed idea of equal opportunity and
! fair play for ALL We marvel at the
| progress being made by the various
professions and sciences and crafts;
but, as l see it, one of the most sig
nifcant evolutions in history, which
the world has made in our own gener-
alton, has been the real awakening of
the people to the glorious realization
that they are, in fact, their own
rulers.
With this revolution in political
thought, the citizens of Florida are
largely in sympathy. They are we'll
forward in the movement to secure
and perpetuate genuine popular gov
eminent. 1t shall be my earnest en-
deavor. my fellow-citizens. to assist in
expedtent Details as to the public
policies which are contemplated to be
followed can more appropriately be
discussed in the message to the Leg
islature than upon this occasion
therefore, | will not now occupy your
attention at length upon the question
OF policies in detail 1 made certain
campaign pledges as to principles,
and assure you that I shall live
I'D to those promises, and shall fur
Their endeavor, as far as Is within
nv power, to inaugurate all other pro-
gressive policies which it is felt will
contribute to popular government and
be for the good of the State.
Election Laws and Campaign
Expenses.
AS some of the essential parts Of
the program which l have in mino
may be mentioned the perfecting of
| the primary and general election laws,
SO that all opportunity for fraud and
trickery in elections shall be remov-
ed and campaign expenses reduced to
| the minimum | believe ninety-nine
DER cent of the people of this State
are heartily in accord with the idea
| that the man, and not the dollar,
should triumph, ard will welcome for
| all time to come law that will stamp
out the idea, entertained by a few,
that public office is a chattel to be
sold at public outcry to the highest
bidder.
Public School Advancement.
Florida is we'll advanced in its pub
| lie school system, yet our present day
progress calls for it's further improve
ment, and l shall advocate the raising
of the standard of our common
schools In these practical times,
believe we should give great import
ance to the agricultural, the mechan-
ical and domestic science features of
school work.
Agricultural and Farm Development.
1t is my purpose to labor for a
greater agricultural and farm activi-
ty. | consider it wise that we en-.
large the work OF the Agricultural
Experiment Station at the University,
In disseminating information to the
farmers, the truckers and the fruit
growers, in conducting Farmers In
stitutes, organizing corn clubs, toma-
to clubs and otherwise stimulating
farm, grove and rural development
Public aid should be given to stamp
out pests that may become public
menace by injuring our farm or grove
products.
Protection of Cattle Industry.
The 1910 census credits Florida
with about 100000 head of cattle, val
ued at about eight million dollars, 1t
is estimated that about three per
cent. of these die annually from COW
ticks, causing a loss in deaths from
this source alone of about $4,000 a
year The Federal Government has
in cooperation with certain of the
State governments. accomplished
splendid results in the eradication of