The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1913-04-08

Ton Ut the primary election laws
Direct Election Of United States
Senators.
Under date of May IL, 1912, the Sec
refary OF the United States. transmit
ted to the governor of this state a
certified copy of a resolution of con
gress, entitled Joint resolution pro-
posing an amendment TO the consti-
tuition providing that senator's shall
be elected by the people of the several
states
| strongly recommend that the said
proposed amendment of the United
States constitution be ratified by the
Legislature at the present session
The Common Schools.
The great masses of the children Of
this state are dependent entirely upon
the common school for their educa-
ton. But few comparatively ever
have the opportunity to acquire a col
legiate education.
Our state colleges are worthy of
support and are indeed a credit 10
Florida; but would recommend equal
attention to the needs and the up
building of the common schools. The
need, as I see it, is for more unifor-
nifty in the length of term, in equip
ment and in the salaries paid teach
era
Additional Inspector for Rural
Schools.
submit for your consideration the
wisdom of providing for one additional
Inspector for the rural schools.
Mechanical and Domes-
tic Science Training in the Pub
lie Schools.
| recommend the enactment of a
law which would provide for the
teaching OF at least the elementary
of domestic science and, as
far as practical. mechanical training
in the public schools of the state.
Equal Length Terms of Town and
Country Schools.
1t is my opinion that the country
schools should be maintained from
the general school fund for terms
equal to those provided for the town
and city schools. A law should be
passed SO providing.
Make Ladies Eligible for School
Trustees.
Believing in many instances tt
would be wise to have a lady upon
the board of sub-distriet school trus-
tees, recommend the enactment of
a law which will permit them repre-
sentation upon said local boards.
Libraries for Public Schools.
| recommend law making IT the
duty of the county board of public
instruction in each county TO provide
for circulating school libraries to con-
tain not less than fifty volumes each,
the number of Libraries to be not less
than one to every ten schools, and to
provide for the care OF the Libraries
and their exchange from one school
to another,
Prohibit Employment of Teacher
With tuberculosis.
That the health of the school chill
dren may not be endangered, | recon-
mend the passage of a law providing
that no person shall be employed in
the public schools or college of the
state as teacher, principal or superin-
tendent, when afflicted with pulmonary
tuberculosis, and shall not be retained
in any such position when so affict-
ed,
Bonds for Special Tax School Dis
tFicts.
The interests of the public school
system will be admirably served and
greatly advanced if appropriate legis-
lation is enacted at the present ses-
sion to make operative the constttu-
tional amendment providing for
special school tax districts to issue
bonds l earnestly recommend that
this important matter have your care
full consideration.
Sale State School Lands on Install
ments.
A good law would be one to autho-
rize the state board of education to
sell state school lands ON reasonable
installments.
County Agricultural and Horticultural
Agents.
The demonstration work which has
been carried on by the State Univer-
sity and the federal government has
made apparent the value to our farm
ers and fruit growers of agricultural,
horticultural and stock breeding de-
monstrations
| recommend that a law be passed
authorizing the board of county COM
missioners of each county to employ
such agricultural and horticultural de-
monstrator when in their Judgment it
would be profitable to do SO, and when
deemed advisable, toauthorize such
agent to employ assistants. The law
should allow two Or more counties to
jointly employ such demonstrators
Agricultural Prizes for Boys and Girls.
Any policy which tends to encour.
age and increase agricultural actfyt-
ties Is of unquestionable value to- our
state. | suggest the wisdom of legis-
lation being enacted which would
authorize the county commissioners
of the various counties to offer prizes
for contests.
State Aid to Stamp Out Pest.
The state should do all possible to
to prevent injuries by pesk TO our
farm, fruit and grove industries. and
for the purpose of aiding Ia this be-
half | would recommend an appropria-
ton of 100000 annually.
Farmers Demonstration Work.
To further encourage and enlarge
the farmers demonstration work.
recommend an annual appropriation
of 81. 10000 to be used for Boys Corn
Clubs and Girls Canning Club.
The Study Of Cooperative Rural
Credits.
On April IS. 1913, a commission
composed of delegates from practical
ly all of the southern states will 60
to Europe to study cooperative rural
credit systems OF European countries
Florida should be represented on this
commission, and / recommend prompt
action so providing.
Encourage Owning of Homes.
/ believe it would be wise TO sub
NIT a constitutional amendment pro
viding for exempting from taxation
| five hundred dollars Of the assessed
valua of the homestead when actually
used and occupied by the owner.