The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1921-04-05

] Inherent departments OF lne state,
placed at the head Of each department
constitutional officer, and clearly
contemplated that the various activi-
ties Of our government should be
| largely placed under cabinet officers.
OF course we have departed from the
principles Of the constitution in this
| regard, and have entered upon q pol
/ icy Of creating outside commissions.
| when clearly, in most cases, the du-
ties performed by such commission
/ should be performed by the cabinet
officers. Like many OF the other
states Of the Union, We are fast be
coming a commission ridden" people.
wish to call upon you to adopt the
policy Of back to the constitutions"
In the creation Of such commissions
as you may deem wise and expedient,
let your creations be carved out OF
the cabinet. Elected by the people, 1t
It's the sworn duty Of a cabinet officer
to devote all Of his time and thought
to the interests Of the state
There is nothing in the argument,
so often advanced, that the cabinet Of.
ficers are too busy to give attention to
1.-THE various matters that are placed
under their charge. They are at the
seat of the state government all of
the time, ready and accessible for fire.
queDt meetings and conferences. In
their accessibility and their constant
meetings there is the greatest advan-
tage of being able TO give attention
to departmental matters incident to-
the various state activities, readily,
speedily and without delay. The cab
met members are advised as to the
various needs of the state and there
fore can conduct different phases of
the state government in harmony
each with the other, whereas when
outside commissions are created,
those commissions only too often ar
rogate to themselves the power of
caring for the particular matters I'M
der their charge, independent Of the
other departments of the state and
without knowledge as to what may be
the requirements of the state in de-
partmentS other than their own, fire..
quently paying salaries out Of all
proportion to salaries paid for like
services i'll those departments not I'm.
der their control The creation of
outside commissions not only makes
| for inefficienCy, but it makes for eX-
traYagance in expenditures AS ii
rule, the commissions do not feel any
obligations for the various depart
mentS of the state other than their
own, and too often we find them pos
sesSed with the idea of getting all
they can out of the state treasury for
their own departments, irrespective
OF the needs and requirements of the
various departments of the state not
under them.
believe that laws. rules and reg
ulations can be more adequately EN-
forced when under the jurisdiction of
cbainet officers. There is more re-
spect for such laws and regulations
when so administered; not that gov
eminent officers are superior men but
because the people see back of them
constitutional office not subject to
change or perhaps abolition by the
caprice of public opinion.
ABOLISH NEEDLESS OFFICES
There has been tendency in the
past to create too many Offices and
positions. 1t has resulted in the du-
plication of work, in essenng eff
cheney, and the needless expendi-
ture OF money. We have more tray
cling inspectors than necessary, and
some departments of the state can
we'll be combined with others There
is much work for. you TO do at this
session, along this line, il you would
give to the people that economical adj
ministration Of affairs to which they
are entitled. / suggest the appoint
ment of committee with member
ship from each the senate and :, the
house of representatives who shall
very thoroughly examine into the
/ n n n tod - .
tions be exhaustive, and not super
flcial or perfunctory. This should be
done and report made during the
early days of the session
! will be pleased to assist the COM
mittee with all information obtain
able and with such suggestions as
may seem proper, We need less leg.
islaton and more cooperation. There
should not be Il single Office created
or continued for political purposes in
the state Of Florida. Politics and
business do not mix to the benefit of
the state. Every unnecessary posi-
ton, or every one even though nee
essary, where the duties can be per-
formed by some other should be
abolished
FISH AND GAME DEPARTMENT
The game and fresh water fish con.
stitutes one of the states valuable
assets. They should be preserved for
the use of the people of the state, and
for those in other parts of the coun-
try who are attracted to Florida by
them. who are willing to pay a proper
license for the sport There must be
be had only through reasonable reg
ulations governing the use and en-
| 1oyment of this, one of the most i'm
portant natural resources of the state.
l am clearly of the opinion that we
cannot depend upon the present laws
or its method of enforcement to prop
erly protect our fish and game.
recommend the passage Of measure
which will provide reasonable rev
enue and which will place the adj
ministration of the law under game
commission. | suggest that this game
commission should be identical, one
and the same. as the shell-fish COM
missioner, who is now charged with
the administration of our oyster and
/ g1lf wafnp Hch 10 GcI NJ