The evening leader. (Tarpon Springs, Fla.) 191?-19??, 1916-12-08

AMENDMENTS
C0NTEMP LATED

Representative Langford of DeSoto
county writes the Times Union as fol
lows: ri
In response to your invitation fer
ian article setting forth my views as
to needed legislation which should be
considered at the next session of tie
Legislature l desire to submit the fol-
lowing: 4
The bills that l propose to introduce
at the next session are limited in
number, possibly none of which bear
upon topics that have not heretofore
been the result of statutes in this
state; however, although they are in
the nature of amendments to laws ali
ready existing, l regard them Of pri-
mary Importance. 6
It is my intention to introduce an
amendment to the present compulsory
school attendance law, making the
same state wide in it's application.
This same matter was the subject of
consideration at the time that the
present law was enacted in 1915, and,
while it met defeat, l am quite sure
that the sentiment at that time was
largely in favor of the more COM
plete plan. Two years experience un-
der the law as it now stands will have
proven that it is not the constructive
measure that has been and will be de-
sired.
Likewise, I intend to introduce an
amendment to the present law eregu-
lating the rate of interest in Florida
fixing the legal rate at 6 per cent;
with limit of per cent under spe-
cial agreement. The high rate of in
terest charged in some sections gives
the unfavorable impression to foreign
capital that the securities are not de
sirable in the first instance, thereby
causing a dearth of money when 9TH
erwise the same might be had at reas-
enable rates; and in the second place,
the high rate charged in some sec
tons is especially objectionable be-
cause it prohibits the possibility of
making developments on borrowed
capital that would otherwise be made
if the rate was lessened.
And again, it is my intention to sub
NIT an amendment to the tax deed
laws of the state, the object of which
will be to make a tax deed a "good
deed" when the same is issued. The
measure to be submitted will carefully
safeguard the interests of property
holders by giving them their day in
court after liberal period for re-
demption before process can vacate
their rights to the ownership Of
property for taxes assessed against
the same. | introduced such a meas
ure at the last session of the legisla-
ture, and although the measure intro
duced received the unanimous approx
al of the committee on finance and
taxation, it died on the calendar at
the conclusion of the session.
l am satisfied that the people of
Florida are demanding a radical
change in the present form of the
Bryan primary law, and believe such
changes should be made at the next
session as would at least relieve the
features that have thus far been
found to be so Objectionable. If the
present law can not be amended so
as to relieve it of the Objectionable
features, l would prefer going back
to the two primaries rather than toll
crate the law in its present form.
/ If the Bryan primary law is aban-
doned, and no state primary law is
substituted instead, then l have some
serious doubts as to the wisdom of
changing the general election law of
the state so that the voting may be
done by groups, or by symbols, as is
done in other states, particularly do
entertain this fear since the grand
father" clause as an amendment to
the constitution was rejected by the
people of the state at the recent cleo
ton. If state primary law is main
tanned, 1 feel much inclined toward
amending the general election law so
that the voting may be done with more
ease and simplicity.
l am in favor of conservation laws
of almost every nature and am will
ing to vote liberal appropriations for
the eradication of the various pests
to the states most valid industries.
| entertain other ideas regarding
needed legislation in Florida, which I
shall make known from time to time
as occasion suggests.
HUGHES TO RESIDE IN N. Y.