The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1913-01-08


end of its responsibilities.
The Florida legislature will meet
here ip regular session three months
hence. The governor is directed by
the constitution to communicate to
that body information concerning
the condition of the state and rec
ommend such measures as he may
deem expedient. Details as to the
public policies which are contemplat-
ed to be followed can more appropri-
ately be discussed in the message to
the legislature than upon this occa-
sion; therefore I will not now occupy
your attention at length upon the
question of policies in detail. | made
certain campaign pledges as to prin-
ciples, and | assure you that | shall
live up to those promises, and shall
further endeavor, as far as is within
my power, to inaugurate all other
progressive policies which it is felt
will contribute to popular govern
ment and be for the good of the
state.
Election Laws and Campaign Ex-
penSeS.
As some of the essential parts of
the program which I have in mind,
may be mentioned the perfecting of
the primary and general election
laws, so that all opportunity for
aud and trickery in elections shall
be removed and campaign expenses
reduced to the minimum. | believe
ninety-nine per cent. of the people
of this state are heartily in accord
with the idea that the man and not
the dollar should triumph, and will
welcome for all time to come a law
that will stamp out the idea, enter
tanned by few, that public Office is
a chattel to be sold at public outcry to
the highest bidder.
Public School Advancement.
Florida is well advanced in its
public school system, yet our pres
ent day progress calls for its further
improvement, and / shall advocate
the raising of the standard of our
common schools. In these practical
times, believe we should give great
Importance to the agricultural, the
| mechanical and domestic science fea-
lures of school work.
Agricultural and Farm Development.
1t is my purpose to labor for a
greater agricultural and farm activ-
ity. l 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
stStutes, organizing corn clubs, to-
mato clubs and otherwise stimulat-
| ing farm, grove and rural develop
ment. Public aid should be given to
| stamp out pests that may become a
public menace by injuring our farm
Or grove products.
Protection of Cattle Industry.
The 1910 census credits Florida
with about 100000 head of cattle
valued at about eight million dollars
1t is estimated that about three pei
cent. Of these die annually from COW
ticks, causing loss in deaths from
this source alone of about 25,0000(
year. The Federal govern.
ment has in cooperation with
certain of the state govern
ments, accomplished splendid results
in the eradication of this pest; and
believe our state, with the aid Of tht
| Federal government, should inaugu
rate, under the direction of the state
/ board of health, movement in thi.
| behalf
Reform of Court Procedure.
Court procedure should be simpli
/ fled and provision made for NOR,
speedy trial in both civil and crimi
nal cases. The time allowed for per
| fecting appeals should be shortened
and other measures enacted to pro
j tect the citizen in his rights and Sc
cure justice without unreasonable de
lay or excessive cost.
Reclamation of Everglades.
/ Practically every citizen of ou
state who is familiar with the Flor
ida Everglades realizes that it is on
j. Of the states most valuable assets
: Under more or less financial embar
/ rassment, very marked progress
has been made towards the reclama
tion of this territory within the pas
| six years, and your officials are noy
] pushing that undertaking as rapid
j as the finances available will permit
{ l have great faith in this enormou
5 enterprise and will with my cola
: borers do everything possible to &C
] complish the drainage and reclama
: tion of this vast area of rich and fer
8 tile land.
] | believe one of the needs in cor
= nection with the project is the estat
: lishment of one or two experiments
d farms.
t Within a short time we should er
y deavor to have the Federal govern
E ment assume the maintenance an
a care of certain of the drainage ca
: mails for water transportation acros
: the state.
S State Convict System.
b The time is in my opinion rip
f for a change in our plan of handlin
the state convicts With the grcs
4 demand for labor upon our roads ar
e in road building, we can utilize tt
D convict labor to an advantage upo
2 the roads, and l think that the ne
l. essary steps should be taken pr,
u viding the expiration of the presel
II convict lease, on January 1, 1914, fl
II the withdrawal of the prisoners fro
&c the lease system in such reasonab
L l. Il