The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1913-04-08
GOV. TRAMMELL'S
MESSAGE IS READ
EiENNIEL SESSION OF FLORIDA
LEGISLATURE coNvENEs at
TALLAHASSEE.
MANY RECOMMENDATIONS
Chief Executive, in His Message, Asks
Florida Legislature to Change
Many of the Statutes.

Tallahassee, April S-The general
assembly of Florida met in its bien-
nial session today Immediately af-
ter the senate and house convened,
Gov. Park Trammell's message was
read. It follows in part:
Executive Office,
State of Florida,
To the Florida Legislature:
In compliance with Section 8. Ar
ticle " Of the Constitution, which
provides that The governor shall
communicate by message to the leg
islature at each regular session, in
formation concerning the condition of
the state, and recommend such meas
ures as he may deem expedient, l
! respectfully transmit this, my mes
sage, for the consideration of your
honorable body
Condition of the state.
1t is with much qualification that
ditions Of our state is most satisfac-
tory.
Financial Condition of State.
The report of the state treasurer
shows that the financial condition of
the state is good On March 81, 1913,
there was in the general revenue
fund S373,776.61. and safe balance
in all of the other funds.
Recommendations.
For your consideration and for
such action thereon as your wisdom
directs. ! wish to submit my views
and recommendations relative To the
measures which deem expedient, I'M
der their respective heads, as follows
Fund to Guarantee Bank Deporitors.
That depositors may be secure,
that bank failures may become mini
mized, that the greatest cause for pro-
ducing panics may be materially re-
duced. | Ee}eve a measure providing
for and requiring the banks TO main
tain bank guarantee fund should be
enacted, and l SO recommend.
interest on Public Funds.
At present interest is required On
etate funds on deposit the state re
ceiving two and one-haf per cent.
on daily balances. The law should
a'so require banks to pay interes on
deposits of county funds. II should
ties receiving bids from the banks
oi tie state for the deposit Of the
funds
Reduction OF Interest Rate.
I respectfully recommend that
law be enacted changing the legal
rate OF interest from eight ID six per
cent, and that The rate which is al
lowed to be charged by contract be
changed from ten TO eight Per CEN.
Abolishing Office Of County Trsasuf er
A constitutional amendment to abel
ish the office Of county treasurer at
the expiration of the terms of the
present incumbents, should be submit
ted for ratification Or rejection by tIla
electors at the next general election.
IN my opinion, the amendment should
provide that the county tax assessor
shall perform the duties now incGsn-
Lent upon the county treasurer. FL
VorabIe consideration OF such d c.n-
ctifutional amendment is strpnely rec
ommFn5ed
Repeal Law Giving Lands to Rai.rc@ds
/ aTge that a law lie enacted repeGl-
ing Section 6z2 OF the General stat
ties, which constitutes orr present
law ploYiding fer rail o2d and
grants.
Change in Convict System.
believe that provision should be
made for the diseontinuance of the
lease system; that the ablebodied
as practicable i'm building, and repair
ing roads: that the tnfrm male pris-
oners, female prisoners, and those of
the prison population who are not
used by the counties in the building
and maintaining of public roads
should be kept at the state prison
farm when established in Bradford
county. Such change can, and, III
my opinion, should be accomplished
by legislation that will not require
a levy of direct taxation for the ex-
pense incident to the preparation for
the change To inaugurate new
plan for the handling of the state
prisoners and TO abolish the present
lease system, / recommend the enact
ment Of law providing:
1st. For the withdrawal of the pris-
oners from the lease system in rea
sonable inslallments.
md For the raising of funds from
the prisoners temporarily leased. to
defray the expense OF building up q
prison farm and meeting the other
expenses incident to making a change
In the system.
3ld. For the counties, if they desire
to take over the able-bodied prison
ers at the time of the installment al
4oA4iIEEAtS ~ uS lSNtA III JuDttE Abdt
work
4th. For the care and maintenance
Of the infirm male and women pris
oners, at the state prison farm 10 be
established in Bradford county.
To carry out these purposes in {
manner which will require no taxa
tion or burden upon the state Of
counties. and at the same time ac
complish the change OF the system
: within a reasonable time, | have pre-
pared a bill covering my ideas of tn
details of the change. This bill yol
viii find appended hereto. and | re
spectfully submit the same for you
consideration.
Authority to Parole Prisoners.
The bos "a OF commissioners 0
state fnstit ions should be given au
thority to grant parole 10 prisoner
either upon bond made payable to tn
governor. or without bond whel
deemed advisable. and recommend
measure granting such authority
State Prison Farm.
1t is deemed 20 be matter Of tn
highest importance that the presen