The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1913-01-08
INAUGURAL ADDRESS
Of GOV. IRAhAELL
Continued from First Page)
Interest on Public Funds.


At present, interest is required on
state funds on deposit, the state re-
ceiving two per cent. on daily bal |
ances. The law should also require |
banks to pay interest on deposits OF
county funds. 1t should also provide
for the state and counties receiving
bids from the banks of the state for
the deposit of the funds. This policy
would in my opinion produce much
more interest on state funds and will
result in the. counties deriving an in
come of from fifty to seventy-five
thousand dollars annually from a
source now producing no revenue.
State Right of Appeal.
Upon constitutional questions I
think the state should have the right
of appeal, so that the points involved
may be passed upon by the supreme
court and not finally settled by the
lower courts, as under our present
system. A law so providing shouId
be enacted.
Care of Juvenile Offenders.
l favor such changes in our laws
applicable to juvenile offenders as
may be necessary for the proper
care and maintenance and training
of this class of offenders. We should
make a real reform school of our
present institution known as the
state reform school.
Tax Equalization.
Possibly no subject is more diff
cult of solution than the tax prob
lem. We should have the tax bur-
den bear equally upon all. There
should be absolutely no favoritism
extended, either by the tax laws or
by the assessing officers. A long
step towards equalizing of taxes
could in my opinion be accomplished
by changing our system SO as to
provide for the discontinuance of
the levy of an ad valorem state tax,
and have the state government sup
ported exclusively by the license and
franchise taxes. This would remove
the necessity of state uniformity in
assessments, leaving uniformity
necessary only in the counties.
Confederate Soldiers and Home.
The heroism, the bravery, the love
of country and devotion to duty of
our Confederate heroes is heritage
of which our state and the south is
justly proud. Every homage and trib-
ute should be paid these veterans by
our state and her people. Ample
provision should be made for the Con-
federate home, and liberal pension
policy followed by the state.
Economy in Government
One of the elementary principles of
efficient Democratic government is
that the public business shall be con-
Quoted with the strictest economy con-
sistent with the public needs and well
fare feel confident that | can prom
Use the people, both for myself and
| for those who are to be associated
with me in the state government, that
rigid economy will be followed in the
conduct of all the business entrusted
to US. | deem it appropriate, howev-
er, to offer the suggestion that the
| greatest portion of the tax burden
which has to be borne by the people of
Florida consists in the expenditures
made by their county and municipal
governments. Eternal vigilance on
the part of the people as to all public
| disbursements. whether state, county
or municipal, will, | am sure, be the
greatest possible preventive of ex-
travagance, and / earnestly recon-
mend such vigilance on the part of
tie people of Florida.
Legislative Economy.
More or less extravaganza has at
times been permitted by our legisla-
| lures in the employment of large
numbers of unnecessary clerks and
attaches. This should be discontin-
ued. The legislature should, OF
course, have all the clerical assis-
lance required to expedite business:
but the public funds should not be
wasted merely to provide salaries for
persons whose services are not ac-
tually needed, and who will not per-
form any actual service further than
signing the payroll.
| Conclusion.
IL mas been my pleasure and good
fortune, ladies and gentlemen, to serve
during the last four years as attorney
general in the administration of the
able, clean, honorable and patriotic
governor who is today retiring from
| Office. Governor Gilchrist, your able
| conduct of the office of governor dur
/ ing the quadrennium ending today re-
| fleets great credit both upon you and
| upon the state of Florida. I feel for
tunate in having been in position to
| observe your many manifestations of
| manliness and moral courage. You
retire, sir, with the respect and best
wishes of the people of your state, and
| join my fellow citizens in wishing
you long life full of happiness and
prosperity.
In conclusion, my friends, permit
me to say that | am deeply grateful
for both the past and the present OPP
| portunities afforded me to engage in
the public service. It has offered q
field of usefulness which I hope has
borne some fruit. While I have re-
manned poor in purse, have rejoic-
ed at each chance to be of benefit TO
the good people who have honored
me. Conscious of my own limita-
tons and of my aptness to err in
judgment, as all other mortals err,