The Punta Gorda herald. [volume] (Punta Gorda, Fla.) 1893-1958, 1916-03-30
A Excellent Official

non. y. y. 1Juillng, treasurer
and cx-officio Insurance Commits
sioner of the State of Florida,
says the keystone, published in
At lanta, Ga, is one of the most
efficiently trained officers in the
public service of the South and a
man of wide acquaintance in not
only his own, but surrounding
States. The term "coming up
from the people" certainly ap-
plies in his case.
Here is his record: Mayor of
Leesburg, his home town, two
terms; Commissioner of his coun-
ty ten years; chief clerk to State
! Commissioner of Agriculture four
years; secretary to Internal In
provement Board and Drainage
Committee two years; State Com
missioner of Agriculture and
State Treasurer His elevation to
the position of Commissioner of
Agriculture came through ap-
pointment of Governor Gilchrist,
who, three weeks later, induced
him to resign and accept the po-
sition of Treasurer.
Mr.. Luning's selection for the
last named office came in Febru-
ary, 1912, and he was elected for
a full four-year term the follow
ing fall. There seems no doubt
that he will be again called to the
place he has so well filled when
the result of the 1916 balloting is
cast up.
The work of the office held by
Mr. Luning has not only kept
pace with the growth of the State
but several associated lines of
service have found their way to
special prominence. Notable a
mong these is the insurance de-
partment, for some time now one
of the most important adjuncts
of the State administration. AS
a consequence the last session of.
the Legislature gave him an ex-
pert assistant, with some new
and far-reaching laws, and the re-
suit has been to bring the "insur-
ance desk" more definitely than
ever to the support and attention
of the people.
}. c. Luning is of the earnest
and conscientious type of public
servant. During all the years
when duties multiplied and as
sistance remained stationary, he
kept resolutely on, studying the
needs of the people, supplying
their wants at whatever of hard
labor and sacrifice necessary, un-
til he has endeared himself to
every section, nook and corner of
his commonwealth. When the in
creased insurance interests de-
manded more and more of his
time, he not only gave it, but
studied the business that his at
tention might be of constructive
and lasting value. Consequently
he was able, when the necessity
of another law was impressed
upon the Legislature, to tell what
was needed and how the need
should be applied.
No citizen can tell more of the
good points of Florida than this
same cordial, genial keeper of
the commonwealth exchequer
The State and the people arc his
pride and he never tires of sound !
ing their praises. His duties are
not to him toll, but a pleasing
service, out of which he receives
constant pleasure and satisfac-
tion. No man should visit the
capitol at Tallahassee without
paying him a call, for he exempli-
fies as only a true Southerner
can, that splendid hospitality thai
has made Florida a land of good
fellowship as well as a Land of
Flowers.
The insurance matters of Mr..
Luning's office are now in the |
hands of Mr.. J. r. Leal, actuary,
who has had large experience in