The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1914-09-13
A. ". GILCHRIST
IN A STATEMENT
COMMANDMENTS
FORMER GOVERNOR ATTEMPTS
TO SHOW HOW PROPOSED
AMENDMENTS WOULD AFFECT
THE PRESENT CONSTITUTION.

Former Governor Albert ". Gill
christ. in a statement relative to the
refusal Of the last legislature to pass
an act directing the governor, attor-
ney-general and secretary of state to
publish how the proposed amendments
would affect the present constitution,
explains each proposed amendment at
length, his views being as follows:
The Ex-Governor's Views.
Punta Gorda, Fla, Sept 12-Whtle
governor / recommended that the leg
ls1ature pass an act directing the gov
ernor, attorney general and secretary
of state to publish with the proposed
constitutional amendments the man
ner in which such amendments would
affect the present constitution. so that
the voters could decide which was the
better, the present constitution or the
proposed amendments. The legislature
did not see the necessity for such an
act So far as know no one has done
it. l now propose to show it
In the proposed amendment relating
to section Is Of article 4. the rank of
adtutant- general is changed from ma
jor-g general to that Of brigadier- gen .
eral This is highly proper, as Florida
has but one brigade. The rank of ma
jor- general Is too high for such a
command. The terms of office of all
commissioned officers of the organized
militia Is made continuous during the
pIeausre of the governor. subject to
such laws as may be enacted by the
legislature providing for their retire
ment on account of age or other
causes. Under section of article Is
OF the constitution no one IS commits
stoned to any office longer than four
IT.
term Of office of the commissioned Of
ficers for life, as in the regular U. s.
army. This will cut out from the
hope of promotion worthy enlisted
men. 1t may probably seriously affect
the future enlistment in the organized
militia All of our big wars have been
fought by the volunteers. the regulars
being a negligible quantity,
All persons in Florida having the
interest of the organized militia at
heart will give their careful atten-
ton.
Proposed amendment to section 6
OF article s. Under the present con-
stitution tax collectors, assessors and
county treasurere are elected for two
years, all other county officers being
elected for four years. The proposed
amendment viii cause tax collectors
years, they being elected on off years
as they should be. The county treas
urer elected during this year will serve
out his term Hereafter there will be
no county treasurer. The legislature
shall provide by law for the care and
custody of all county funds, and shall
provide the method Of reporting and
paying out all such funds"
Proposed amendment to section / Of
article s. In addition to the present
constitution this provides for a court
Of record for Escambia county and
such other courts of commissions as
the legislature may from time to time
ordain and establish THE Iegisla-
ture may prescribe the conversation
of the justices and Judges of the sew
eral courts, but no court heretofore es-
tablished under the constitution and
laws Of Florida shall be hereby abol-
ished." Under the present constitu-
ton the salaries Of the justices Of the
supreme court and Of the circuit court
Judges are fixed by the constitution.
Under section 9, article OF the consti-
tuition the salary OF the justices Of the
supreme court IS fixed a $4,000 a year.
The salary of the circuit judges is fixed
al $4,000 a year This is entirely too
small. Section % OF article 4 Of the
constitution fixed the salary Of the
governor at SO, 500 and the various cab
met officers from $500 to $4,000 pro-
viding. however, that eight years from
the adoption Of the constitution. the
legislature might increase or decrease
any or all of these salaries. No such
proviso. however was attached to the
salaries of the justices of the supreme
court and judges of the circuit court.
During 1907 the salary of the gov
ernor was increas ed to $4,000 a year and
in addition the executive mansion was
built, saving to the governor rent OF
several hundred dollars a year In 1903
the salaries Of all the cabinet officers
was fixed at $4,000 a year In 1911 the
salary of the comptroller was fixed
at $4,000 a year. 1t appears that the
secretary of state, the treasurer and
the commissioner of agriculture re-
ceived certain fees, ranging probably
from 500 to $500 a year extra. more
or less. In the act approved May lst,
1913, the salaries of all the cabinet
officers was fixed at $4,000 The fees
heretofore received by them are to be
turned into the state treasury. Act
approved June 5th, 1913. the salary
of the governor was fixed at $4,000 a
year. 1t thus appears that the salary
of the governor which originally under
the constitution was only $4,000 with
out mansion, has been raised to $4,000
with a mansion, in saving rent, prac-
ticalIy doubling the salary Of the gov
ernor. The salaries of ali the cabinet
officers have been raised from $500
or $4,000 to $500 a year. practically
doubling their salaries. The salaries
of the justices of the supreme court
and of the circuit judges have not
been increased. They should be raised.
Very truly yours.
ALBERT W. GILCHRIST.