The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-05-05

Money raised Dy taxation is rails
ed to conserve public welfare.
Under representative form OF
government, appropriations are
made from this fund by those who
are selected to perform the func-
lions of government, because it is
inconvenient, even impossible, that
every taxpayer shall have voice
and vote in determining the appor-
tionments.
The duty of government is to do
for the people those things which
they, as individuals, cannot do for
themselves, to provide such condi-
tions that every individual shall be
protected from unlawful depreda-
tions and shall be guaranteed his
rights and safety in the pursuit of
his own business and in his home.
other things. the amount necessary
! to be raised by taxation for public
purposes, it collect the amounts as
sessed and finally determines in
what manner the fund so collected
shall be expended.
This is at least one of the funda-
mental ideas of the model govern
ment How far actual government.
federal, state or municipal, departs
from this ideal is determined by the
falliblity of those who exercise its
functions, In spite. of more or less
popular belief, graft and dishonesty
are rare in government affairs in
this country Stealing by public
officials or employees is the unusual
exception. More often errors are
made through mistaken Judgment.
Certain things are of prime i'm
portance to the people police and !
fire protection and individual safety |
from physical harm probably come |
first-matters that affect directly |
the life and property of the individ-
ual. Unquestionably next in i'm |
portance are those matters that af- |
feet his health, for individual and ,
public health are, next to itself, the
biggest assets of the family or the
community.
In the appropriation of public !
funds it follows naturally that these
most important things should be
conserved before all other interests,
and the wilson of Legislative ac-
ton is determined by a recognition
of it's principle
Florida's rapidly increasing pros
perity during the past quarter of
century has been advanced more by
effectual efforts for it's sanitation,
by the gradual dispelling of the wide
spread idea that it was not one of
the most healthful sections in the
world than by any other agency or
influence. The specter of yellow
fever has been banished, and the
world has been shown that a Semi
tropical climate may be as healthful
the year around as that of northern
ATTITUDES.
Education has shown the people
Of Florida how to live, how to take
full advantage of splendid natural
for their own good, and
it has brought to the state sturdy
and energetic citizenry 1t has
brought capital to develop its nat
lral resources.
DO YOU believe this could have J
been brought about unless the Cos
Del of clean, sanitary living had .,
,een preached without ceasing?
Unless the barriers had been built
Up by medical science to keep out
he epidemics of the trophic islands
md unless these facts of actual ac-
omplishment had been advertised
o the whole world?
If Florida is to continue it rate
t progress. the way must be laid :
y its health authorities, as in the =
asst. Already Florida is known y
throughout the Union as one of the =
lost progressive of all the States in
ealth and sanitary matters, and =
ne fact seems to be recognized less
at home than else
here. y
To maintain this reputation and
lie splendid activity on which 1t is 81
ased, requires the powerful aid of Sc
lie state government through wise g,
preparations and recognition and pl
oral support, and hardly less by L
,unty and = municipal and COM 81
unity backing. 1t appears at the e,
resent writing that the Legislature
1915 will do much in support of
lie work of the State Board of IN
ealth, and that wider usefulness r
i'll be possible to that body OF
Let the people of Florida recog- re
re the value of health and bodily
reneth as necessary preliminar-
5 to the mental and the spiritual G,
COR, and the state will move all ia
e quicker to a realization of it's ul- di
mate possibilities. as