The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1917-04-27
VOLUME 81, NUMBER II
THREE WEEKS OF STRENUOUS
WORK FOR LAW MAKERS

Tallahassee, Fla, April p, 1917.
Special to Ocala Banner:
Sunday was a welcome relief at the
capital, for the past week had been
one of strenuous work in both houses
of the legislature and the adjourn
ment was a welcome break in the
tenseness that had been felt through
the week when great issues were
hanging in the balance.
Ten bills have been signed by the
governor as a result of the first three
weeks work, among them the prohi-
bitten amendment resolution, which
he. signed, although it was not neces-
sary for him to do So All the other
measures, except one, we're local bills.
One local bill relating to a right of
way in Orlando was vetoed by the
governor for constitutional objections.
A list of appointments and suspen-
sions, among them the appointment OF
]. S. Bitch and r. J. Patterson as tax
commissioners, were sent to the ser.
ate during the week for confirmation.
Several of the appointments were of
men nominated in the primaries for
the offices to which they were ap-
pointed and the senate has confirm
ed these appointments.
Long and heated debates have
marked the sessions of both houses.
The house has devoted two days to
debates on the bill extending the pow
ers of the tax commission, and re-
cessed Saturday until Monday, when
the measure will be taken up again
on a motion to reconsider which was
being debated when the house recess
ed Saturday.
The suffrage amendment which fail
ed to carry will be taken up for re-
consideration Monday, and as it has
been a matter of very general inter-
est, will probably again attract big
crowd until it is finally disposed Of
The drainage hearings will be re-
sumed Tuesday night. and will furnish
and interesting chapter in the weeks
proceedings.
The committee on pensions, Of
which Hon w. j. Crosby is chairman
has introduced a committee substitute
for the pension bills that were before
the house, which will embody the best
features of all these bills, and will
probably be supported by the major
ity of the members of the house. The
bill makes some changes in the pres
ent law. Under it there Will be no
property qualifications, and no differ
ent grades of pay, as all persons pen
stoned under it will be paid at the
rate of s210 per annum in monthly
payments. A residence of eight years
in Florida prior to the date of max
ing application is a requirement under
this law, and all widows of deceased
soldiers who are over forty years of
age, who have remarked and whose
subsequent marriage has been dissolv
ed by death or by a decree of divorce
are entitled to pensions under this
provision. The law provides for 4
four-min levy on all taxable property
and clerk at $500 per annrm, and
an assistant clerk at $500 per annUm.
The bill also requests the co-opera-
ton of camps of Confederate veterans
with the boards of county commits
sioners and the state board of pen
sions in purging the pension roll of
persons not entitled to pensions. All
classes of service recognized under
the present law are covered by the
provisions of this act. Mr.. Crosby
modestly declines to assume for him
self credit for this bill, and says that
it is the work of the whole commit
tee, but it is safe to say that ne dill
his part in shaping its provisions. Mr..
Light has been so busy furnishing the
facts and figures in the tax commits
sion fight that the other measures in
which he is interested have been tenn