The Punta Gorda herald. [volume] (Punta Gorda, Fla.) 1893-1958, 1915-09-16

likelihood that Florida will be up and
doing on this proposition of abolish
ing such an old-fashioned and expen-
sive thing as the fee system.
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 enacting such laws as
are necessary to place all county Of
ficials upon 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, l had passed
at the last session of the legislature
an act abolishing 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 il would be almost impossible
to accomplish as comprehensive and
determined a step, as changing the
fee system, at any regular session Of
the legislature. The regular sessions
Of the Legislature are generally filled
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 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
1t is unreasonable to expect the
extra session because a few people
desire 1t, but 1t 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 l be-
ieve it to be good business propo-
Sition to spend this much of the
States money in order that one mil
DIN dollars may be saved to the peo-
Die and not paid out as bonus or
gift to a few county officials during
he next four years, when just as eff
icient servants can be found at sal
tries that will effect this saving.
lave conceived the idea of submitting
o the people for them to take the mi
iative in this matter and DO IT 4
VOW.
| have already sent out a number
# petitions to be signed and the re-
ponses have been so prompt and gen S
rous that | have determined to carry
The war into Carthage by making a
eneral tour of the State, meeting theI
eople personally, discussing this
with them and distribut-
ng petitions for signatures.
The only way to reduce taxes is
D reduce public expenditures and enc [
Elective way to accomplish this is to
ut our County officials upon an ade-
uate salary basis, paying them what
hey are worth and no MORE