The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1921-01-05
GOVERNOR HARDEE CALLS FOR
PROGRESSIVE ADMINISTRATION

reason of supposed particular knowl-
edge OF our laws and policies, ac-
CURED through the administration and
execution of them, IL is made the duty
of the governor TO cooperate with the
legislature and assist, If possible in
its law making functions. shall pro-
pose measures and policies but shall
not attempt to influence their adop-
ton through the improper use Of ex-
ecutive power.
We are to be congratulated in that
men of experience, ability and patri-
otto conservation to the public coed
have been chosen as head of the
constitutional departments of our
state government. For my part I ON
greatly pleased to be associated with
them in the work ahead of US and can
but feel that the official family, which
may with propriety call the cabinet,
will, from the abundance of their ex-
perience contribute much towards the
success Of our administration. The
occasion Is quite opportune for me TO
bring them assurances that executive
interference viii not be INDUCED. And
only in keeping with the spirit of the
law shall concern myself with their
departmental affairs.
I wish to welcome, as co-partners
the men and women who have been
chosen to fill their respective posi-
tions incident to the administration of
the law. There should exist between
such officials and the chief executive
spirit of cooperation and mutual
helpfulness. Each of us may well
feel honored that we have been call
ed to service. That our fellows have
confidence in our fitness that they
trust their business in our hands. We
can best repay them by a conscien-
tious regard for the important duties
of our respective offices.
The laws of Florida must be en-
forced. Private property must be re-
spected. The rights of the individual
safeguarded in his legitimate aspira-
tions, but at no time and under no
circumstances must the individual
whether in personal or in a corpo-
rate capacity, be allowed to assert
himself to the detriment of the su-
.perior rights of the public The obli-
cation Of law enforcement is upon
the executive department. 1 trust that
al VI US WHO may D6 IHuS dSSOcIdLGQ
will somehow hear the call of the peo-
pie for real service and for high ideals
in the administration of the law Per-
NIT me further to indulge In the hope
that IL viii not necessary for me as
chief executive to resort to that in
strumentality of the constitution. car
rying the power of removal of sub
ordinate officers, in order to force n
- u, rSL
corporation Of this high prerogative
in the hands of the governor con-
templates, however, a necessity at
times for its use. 1 would have every
one clearly understand that I shall
not hesitate TO use it when there ap-
pears wanton disregard of the oath
Of office or gross incompetency IN
the performance of official duties.
Perhaps no greater service can be
performed / that of caring for our
state institutions. Florida has not
been backward in making provision
for her misfortunates, who by reason
Of infirmity of mind and body have
become legitimate charges upon the
state. She has also provided insti-
tutions corrective in character for
those who have violated the laws, the
State Hospital for the Insane at Chat
tahoochee and the Institution at
Gainesville for the epileptic, and fee
BILE minded. Adequate provision for
their maintenance and humane treat
ment of the inmates must always be
observed. The Industrial School for
Boys at Mariana and the school of
like character for girls at Ocala, while
incarceratfng hayward youths, must
somehow lead them back to a respect
for constituted authority and obedi-
ence to law, and especially at these
two institutions, the application iof
effective methods and humane treat
nent upon plastic minds will largely
redeem and reform them. Our prison
farm at Raiford should be operated
only by that class Of convicts not
physically able to work upon the pub
lie roads. / am in sympathy with
every practicable humane method used
in handling the convicts of the state,
He who would mistreat them, or who
would lose sight of a possible reform
alton Is utterly unfit to deal with the
problem, but l am unwilling for an
ultra humanitarianism to dictate our
policy to that extent that we lose
sight Of the economic and disciplinary
questions involved in incarceration, I
believe the farm should at least be
self sustaining and that the people
should be relieved of taxes for it's
maintenance. The convicts physically
fit must work. That was the judg-
ment of the law and the sentence of
the court. Our system of working
them upon the public roads must be
maintained, and we will never, 1 trust,
go back TO the private lease. As a
prudent business man would handle
his own affairs even so should we en-
deavor to manage the various state
institutions. Remembering always
that economy as well as efficiency
must be kept constantly in mind
What should be our aim for the fu-
ture? Speaking very generally be-
cause this Is not the time or place
for very specific treatment of exist
ing problems, would suggest that we
begin to give care to the conserva-
ton OF our natural resources. The
timber supply upon which the state
is so dependent, must be intelligently
conserved not only conserved, but