The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1917-04-13
Bill Meets
Sharp Opposition
ing funds for publicity purposes.
Health Law,
CONTINUED From Page one.)


When the bill introduced by DR..
Fogarty of Key West to amend the
health laws of the state and vesting
the power of electing the state health
officer in the hands of the board of
state institutions great opposition de-
veloped which started with the mo-
ton of Senator MacWilliams to in
definitely postpone consideration of
the act.
Senator MacWilliams stated that
he did not believe that laws which
had operated successfully for more
than twenty years should be lightly
changed to meet an exigency which
the supporters of the bill believed to
exist, even if it was desirable to re
tain Dr. Porter in office. He ex-
pressed warm personal regard for DR..
Porter, and eXtolled his efficiency,
but urged that laws which are made
to stand through years, be not
changed on the spur of the moment.
Senator Alexander, of the twenty
eighth, in supporting the motion to
indefinitely postpone consideration,
said that the power of appointment
could be easily allowed to remain in
the hands Of the Governor, who he
praised as being a great man and
clear and conscientious official.
Defends His Bill.
DIR. Fogarty, author of the bill,
made spirited defense of the act.
He said that in any case where the
efficiency of an official is a great
consideration, he would rather leave
the selection of that official in the
hands of seven men than rely on one
to select capable officer
AS for DIR. Porter, Senator Fogarty
said that he needed no personal de-
Tense, for he has a reputation that
is nationwide, and has shown by
years of faithful service his efficiency
and capabilitv. He called attention
to the fact that only in March the
state board of health had met and
elected DR.. Porter to a term of -four
years of office.
Questions Constitutioaality.
Senator Calkins, of the eleventh
raised the question of the constitu.
tionality of the act, and urged thai
this feature be inquired into. Sen.
ator Calkins called attention to the
| oaths of the senators to abide by the
constitution, and said that in hi:
opinion this point should be decided
before any further steps wer taker
on the passage of the act He re
quested that the bill be recommitteC
to the committee of judiciary A, ane
allow investigation This was unani
mously agreed to.
Other important measures to com,
before the senate this morning wa.
| the bill introduced by Senator Nc
Eachern prohibiting the manufactur,
sale, barter, or exchange of alcoholic
spurious, vinous, or malt liquors il
the state. The bill was on seeons
reading, and after two minor amend
ments permitting the making of do
nestle wines, such as blackberry
was ordered to be engrossed.
Makes Women Eligible.
Senator Jones, of the second, in
| troduced bill m aking women eligible
| for certain offices in the state, Ties,
being confined to any office connected
with the state institutions of educa
ton or charity or correction, provided
that the functions are performed il
the municipality, district or county
in which she has resided for tire,
years next preceding her election o.
appointment. Senator Hughlette ais,
introduced a suffrage bill, applying t,
! women.