The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1915-09-14

likelihood that Florida viii be up and
doing on this proposition OF abolish
ing such an old-fashioned and expen-
sive thing as the fee system.
A movement Is now on foot which
gives excellent promise Of bringing
about this desired change. 1t is an
agitation for a special session Of the
State Legislature to convene not later
than the last week in April. 1916. for
the purpose of enaeting such laws as
are necessary to place all county Of.
ficials upon a salary basis; so that
these officials who stand for election
in the primaries may know exactly
what to expect In the form of remun-
Grafton, when they offer as public
servants in the various counties.
Special Session Necessary
As an example OF what may be
saved by an economical administra
ton Of county affairs, I had passed
at the last session of the legislature
an act aboIshing the office Of County
Treasurer, substituting therefor
County Depositories. under bond, who
are required to pay interest on the
county money, thereby effecting a
saving to the counties of this state
Of at least 100000 per annum. Past
experience has demonstrated the fact
that 1t would be almost Impossible
to accomplish as comprehensive and
determined step. as changing the
fee system, at any regular session of
the legislature. The regular sessions
of the legislature are generally filed
with routine business, some of it nee
essary and some of it the result of
myriads Of local measures which leg
islators always carry with them when
they journey to Tallahassee.
Consequently any lobby made up of
County officials, could easily defeat
whatever feeble efforts might be made
at a regular session to get such an
important and far-reaching measure
passed. At an extra session just be-
fore the primaries. County official
lobbyists would not appear, from the
fact that they dare not, in the face
Of an election, oppose a proposition
that the people were in favor of.
Petitions Being Sent Out
It is unreasonable to expect the
Governor to call the Legislature in
extra session because a few people
desire it, but it is reasonable to sup
pose the Governor will call an extra
session if many thousands of people
in all sections Of the State of Florida
request it. This can be done by petit
ton.
An extra session will not cost an
amount to exceed $4,000. and I be-
lieve it to be good business propo-
sition to spend this much of the
States money in order that one mil
loin dollars may be saved to the peo-
pie and not paid out as a bonus or
gift to a few county officials during
the next four years, when just as eff
f1cfent servants can be found at sal
aries that will effect this saving.
have conceived the idea of submitting
to the people for them to take the mi.
tiative in this matter and DO IT
NOW.
/ have already sent out a number
OF petitions to be signed and the re-
sponses have been so prompt and gen.
erous that have determined to carry
the war into Carthage by making
general tour of the State, meeting the
people personally. discussing this
proposiuon with them and distribute
ing petitions for signatures.
The only way to reduce taxes is
to reduce public expenditures and one
effective way to accomplish this is to
put our County officials upon an ade.
quate salary basis, paying them what
they are worth and no more"