The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1917-05-04
DO|NGS AND UNDO|NGS BY
LAWMAKERS Of FLORIDA

party to the hospital, which is about
two miles from the station. The hos
pital is located in a beautiful section
of the country, far removed from the
noise and stir of the world, in an at
mosphere of serenity and peace.
The buildings are all modern, ex-
cept two, which possess historic as
sociations, having been the United
States arsenal in territorial days dur
ing General Jackson's campaigns and
occupancy of the territory Later it
was granted to the state by the fed
eral government, and has been used
for many years as a state hospital for
the insane.
For the past four years the institu-
ton has been under the management
of Hon. Worth w Trammell, who has
made a splendid record for faith
full efficient and sympathetic affairs
of this important institution, giving
his personal attention to its many de-
tails.
The morning was spent in going
over the buildings, the superintendent
and physicians accompanying the par
ty and explaining the various depart
ments. There are nearly sixteen
hundred inmates, more than half of
whom are white patients \ large
number Of these are convalescents
who have comparative liberty. and
who mingle freely with people who
come and go, and who seem apparent
" almost normal The races and the
sexes are segregated, and the more
violent cases are kept in separate
quarters.
The buildings are comfortable and
we'll equipped A herd OF Jerseys sup
plies the institution with milk and
butter. and acres of we'll titled land
furnish vegetables and farm products.
The institution has its own electric
light plant, water works, steam laun-
dry, bakery and saw mill
superintendent Trammell called at
tention to the need of additional ma
chinery for the laundry. which is hard
ly adequate to the needs of the insti-
tuition. and other Improvements for
which appropriations will be asked
A delightful dinner was served on
the porches of the superintendent
home. in picnic style There was an
abundance of good things to eat,
which was done full justice to by the
visitors.
In the afternoon the visitors were
allowed to visit among the GONZALES
cent patients. as many had relatives
or friends whom they wished to see.
The opportunity TO personally visit
the hospital will have an important
effect on the legislature. as the mem
bers were noticeably affected by the
pitifulness of the condition of the
states unfortunate wards, and it
should be easy to get generous appro-
priations for whatever is needed for
their care and maintenance
The crowded conditions, due to the
rapid increase in the number of pa
tients, made additional buildings ne
cessary every few years, and it is be
cause of this that the establishment
of another hospital in south Florida
has been proposed, and for which a
bill has been introduced in the house
by Mr. Wilder of Hillsborough.
The house bill imposing twO-thou-
sand dollar license on immigrant
agents doing business in this state
and five thousand dollar fine for VIC
lations. passed the senate and went
to the governor for signature. This
bill practically prohibits labor recruit
ers doing business in Florida.
After short but sharp debate Sen
ator Cartons free text book bill pass
ed the senate by vote of twenty to
seven. 1t provides for county school
boards to buy the books and either
rent, sell or give them free to the stu
dents. The bill must be approved by
the electors of each county before it
can operate in that county.
The appointment of VIM. A. Blount,
Jr., as county solicitor of the court of
records OF Escambia county went to
the senate this afternoon. Blount is
the primary nominee and knight OF
Columbus. Caldwell and Horn are
also nominees OF the party.
Ex-Governor Albert W. Gilchrist is