The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1921-01-05

We must cooperate win fne m-s-
tional government IN tho construction
of roads and highways We mrss
match the federal appropriation al
ways with an adequate state apprte
priation- A system OF public roads,
connecting every county site IN Flor
ida should be laid out. and eventually.
believe. the state should actually
| take over, construct and maintain,
without assistance from the counties,
| main thoroughfares connecting differ
ent sections of the state as distin-
guished from localities. We have
dreamed and planned sufficiently
long. Now has the time arrived for
actual work and construction. 1t is
| our great problem today. trust that
the highway commission for the next
four years may set themselves to the
task Of actually building roads.
Our aim for the future should be
to give to the people of other states,
some conception, of the greatness, the
attractiveness and beauty of Florida
| through truthful advertising. To keep
| in mind and foster every movement
which will develop and benefit our
agricultural, horticultural and live
stock interests. The development of
! our marketing bureau, and the en-
couragement of cooperative move
ments to the end that the farmers
and producers may receive the high
| est possible price for their products
Our aim for the future should ex-
press itself, in improved methods in
assessment and collection of revenue.
| An amendment to the constitution
f.Nrr
rates Of the great class of intangible
properties; a more equitable assess
ment of property as between the diff
ferent counties; coordination of the
various departments of the state; an
elimination of expense incident to
duplication of work, and finally the
! systematizing of our work so that
many positions, now hardly necessary,
may be abolished
1t Is essentially the part of good
government, insofar as laws and gov
ernmental regulations can do so, to
create the highest possible type OF
citizenship, having due regard for the
physical and spiritual welfare of all
| the people. The work. of a we'll Or
ganized and efficient health depart
ment cannot be dispensed with. Inn
| proved sanitation and general health
conditions result always in increased
capacity for efficient labor, giving to
| every one a clearer conception Of lifes
| duties, and the ability to perform
them.
AS component part of this great
republic we must give serious con-
| sideration to educational problems, il
we would preserve for all time the de-
| mocracy of our institutions. In
country whose government derives
its just powers from the cosent of
the governed; a country where the
voice of the people directly, and
| through chosen representatives, be-
come the real law of the land, the
necessity for an educated citizenship
is more pronounced. I feel that we
are to be congratulated upon an
awakened interest in the great cause
OF popular education. Our national
legislature is now considering the
question of national aid to our pub
lie schools and acting on the same
principle our state must eventually
aid the counties in a similar manner.
The day for provincialism is past, the
time for larger conception of our obli-
cations is upon us. The richer Sec
lions of our country have drawn their
w
surroundings, but from every state in
the union. The more affluent COM
munities in Florida, having done the
same thing, cannot say that the edu-
cation Of the people In less forward
communities, is no concern of theirs.
We have recognized this principle in
the one mill constitutional school tax
and we should more adequately OBJ
serve il in the future,
Let us adequately support our in
situations of higher learning. | glory
in the great work they are doing and
am much impressed with the ever
widening fields of activity which they
are opening up to the lasting good of
the state. I hope the time may soon
come when we shall hear no more that
inadequate facilities must be plead as
an excuse for turning away from their
doors so many of the youths of the
state knocking for admission. Cur
real educational problem today, how
ever, is with our rural schools. The
overwhelming percentage of our flu
ture citizenship is now attending the
country school. Trying as best they
can to equip themselves for life's du-
ties in a school whose term, is in
many counties, not more than four
months a year, and oftimes presided
over by poorly paid incompetent
teachers. 1t is the rural school prob
lem which is beginning to attract the
attention of our national government
and whatever plan may be under
taken, must find in our state re-
sponsive partner in the great work.
And finally we should aim to main
tain our democratic institutions and
government that is jealous of all
the rights of the state but at the same
time is broad enough to realize that
the federal constitution must also be
given ready obedience and respect.
government that guarantees to every
citizen, the weakest and the strong
est alike, equal and exact justice be-
fore the law and that, stands always
ready to make good that guarantee;
a government, too that offers to every
citizen, the weakest and the strongest
alike, a fair and impartial opportunity