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THE iJEROI' 0011.138 Pumas: 10 '10 mom's FUTURE
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1. CHAN. EFFICIDITI ECOHVTCAL comm AT All. LEVELS:
I will not tolerate graft, corruption or dishonest practices or any
kind or degree.
I will not hesitate to suspend, on grounds specified in the Consti-
tution, state or county oicials whose suspension mpears Justified after
full and fair public hearings. To protect any such officials against abuse
of the creative power of suspension, such hearings will be required except
in cases of great emergency.
I will work with the Attorney General and local law enforcemnt
officials in the development of an effective program, free of politics,
for combatting crime which crosses county lines or mquims technical help
beyond local resources. The establith of inter-county systems of can-
uunicsticns for mti-crine work also will prove of great value. I will
see to it that state agencies play their proper roles in a coordinated law
enforcement program, with competent ard adequate manpower.
I will oppose legalintion of any new form of gambling. I will insist
that presently legalized part-mutual wagering be conducted under the cloanost
possible conditions, with the return to the state naintaimd at a fair and
adequate level ttnoagh sound tax less and strict enforcement or laws against
illegal betting.
Our government must be clean, by both legal and moral etmdards.
Whore loopholes lower our legal stewards and make prosecution difficult,
I will seek to have the lane strengthened. This applies to the "when"
or bolita racket Which is still a very real problem in some sectiom of our
state. It also applies to a wide range of other criminal statutes, including
the law against sale of liquor to minors. I Will join in seeking solutions
to juvenile delinquency and sex crime.
I will not tolerate waste. A bill which 1 sponsored to passage by
th- s-nate last year proposed creation of a State Goverunental Reorganisation
Council with the purposes of reducing expenditures and inmosing efficiency
through cmsolidation of state agencies havim similar Emotions and abolish-
mnt or non-essential agencies. Elimination of overlapping is needed
partith in the fields of state tax collections, inspection 8M8.
conservation of natural resouroan, agrimnmral services, and penal echoinistrsp
tion. I will cooperate with the Legislative Comcil and other appropriate
bodies in achieving concrete results along those lines.
Boards regulating the professions and other occupational groups in our
state should serve these groups but also protect the public. It is this
obligation to the public which alone can justify their existence. washers
of these boards should be qualified by experience and training and not
political favoritism.
I favor the sound use of the Purchasing Council, established by the
lest Legislature, to detemine stmdalds and maximsn prices for state purchases
and require competitive bidding. I will oppose the use of public funds for
propaganda promoting ofce holders or political programs.
For public employth to attract uni hold efficient personnel, the
pay must be fair. I naturally will pursue s Budget Omission investigation
looking to esteblishsent at s unifom personnel system for our state. This
investigation see authorised by e bill nhich I sponsored. State employees who
are perforating needed services and doing their jobs well should have merit
system protection against political reprissls. I will cmtinue w work for
inpromeut of our retirement systems.
I Will seek the eholielmnt of the fee system as a. basis for cous-
penssting county officials and the esteblishnent of a salary schedule reason-
able to officials and teamsyen.
vaommt is no better than the people who minister it. All
appointments node by no to serve in state or local office will be men or
women of the highest character and ability.
2. MIMI-"3&1. REVISION
Our Constitution of 1885 badly needs a general overhauling. Arty
mh revision, howuer, should be subject to a final approval vote of the
people and our Constitution as it now stands does not so requim.
I offer this plan to get the Job done in the too-year term
(a) Passage by the 1955 legislature of an energency steamboat
to the present Constitution proposing creation or a Constitutional Comission
to ho sppointed jointly by the Governor, Quiet Justice, Senate President
and House Speaker;
(b) A special election on this neth in the an of 1955;
(c) The drafting of s new Constitution w the Comission vdthin
mmk six months, and at least as long for public study;
(d) A vote by the people at the general election in Hovosber 1956
on the Constitution thus proposed.
TMononinent creating the Commission met provide for retention
of such basic policies of the State as homestead exemption, tin prohibitions
.2.
against state bench and income tax, legislative authority to distribute
' pummel tax revenue to the counties as at present, and constitutional
security for school building bonds and other existing obligations.
No Governor should attempt to dictate a new Constitution, but there
are certain fields in which the needs for revision are clear. These include
-- and I favor:
(a) i new plan for successorship to the ofce of the Governor in
the event of the Governor's death or disability;
(b) legislative mapportionnent with a fairer distribution of repre-
sentstion to the more populus areas;
(c) Elimination of the local bill evil from the legislature and
establith of a sound system of Home Rule;
(:1) Restriction of exswtivs sessions of the Senate and a clear
statement of the broad policy of the stats requiring cpan meetings of all
public bodies;
(c) Reorganization of our courts, now under continuing stow by the
Judicial Council, the establishment or which I sponsored in the 1953 Session;
(1) Removal of pardon powers from politics and'the development of
a coordinated penal system;
(g) Reorganisation of executive departments, utters mtitutional
revision is necessary to achieve consolidations, eeononw and efficiency;
(h) Creation of a State Tax Authority to eliminate inequities in
assessmts; and
(1) Creation of a State Department of Labor, especially now that
the Federal Oovernnmt is considering abrogating to the states some of its
Jurisdiction in dealing with labor relation matters.
To me it seems establishnent of the elective office of Lieutenant
Govsmor the Officeholder to preside over the Senate should be considered
With mlation to both legislative and exewtive reforms, as well as in
enmi- to the successorship question.
The question or a cmstitutional provision for the legislature to
call itself into session also should be studied with great care. I was the
veneer last year of a proposed Constitutional Amendment, which the people
V111 vote on this 3W, allowing the Mgislature to extend its regular
sessions by as much as 30 days, not necessarily consecutive. II this mend-ant
is Adopted, the legislature likely will be in session through a large part of
legislative years. The alternate years are election years, when legislators
seeking reelection might be subject to pressure from special groups wanting
special sessions to gain special benefits. The danger, hossvcr, might be
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adniadsed by excluding appropriation and tax utters from my self-started
' session.
The emtional View we now take of constitutional oonibsion, revealed
by the loss of a pest Governor and by tho dictatorial seizure of power which
followed, should not attract us to hurried changes Mg possible greater
evils. We met use the interest now aroused to effect sound, carefully planned
revision or our Constitution. This I propose to do, with the help of the
Citizens Constitution Comittee and other interested organisations.
3. mm EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES arm 0mm:
W record mm our conviction that education is one or those founda-
tion fields in which we build a better state, a better future. It is the
nesting of a responsibility to our children and a good business investmt
as well.
Gains under the Hinimn Foundation Program must be protected ageimt
undemining mendnsote and extended beyond the ninimn. in adequate program
should now be our goal. The state and counties nest share the financial burden
as the ability of each allows.
Adequate funds met be provided:
(a) To handle Florida's constantly rising school enrollment;
(b) To my better salaries so that the teaching profession will at-
tract capable young people and hold good teachers;
(c) To pant sufficient scholarships;
(d) To furnish necessary administrative and clerical services;
(e) To give pupils all the clinical, guidance and other special
services necessary for their progress and welfare;
(1') To construct adequate and well designed school buildings;
(g) To make available sufficient textbook, library materials and
other necessary tools for both pupils and teachers; and
(h) To erronge an adequate school lunch program.
I will work 11th the Board of Control on e long-rm gs program for the
delopnmt or our univemities to meet the higher learning demmds of a stoning
and progressive state. The adequate training of leadership for industry,
WW. th Tirotoeeims and govenmsnt is essential, and in no sense a
luxury. As my record shows, I favor the canplstion of the Meal School at
the University of Florida and state support for the Fodieal School at the
University of Miami.
Full advantage should be taken of our opportunities in the fields of
educational television and adult education. Our vocational rehabilitation oppon-
tunitiee also are W, md these services should be unaided.
4y-
h. 11mm neon, HEALTH AND W enamels
In revising the Constitution to sales provision for a departnent of
labor, we met not oontanplate the state entering into m phase of labor-
nanagesent relations, with a punitive attitude toward either employers or
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I do not regard cheap labor as an attraction to new industries. 0n
the contrau, I think Florida's industrial and comeroial develcnmnt, its
overall growth will come more rapidly and sore soundly with payment or good
wages, with assurance of safe working cmditions, with the promise or life in
pleasant, heaktv annuities offering good schools and the other attraction
of good goverusent.
Important to the state as awhole and a proper field for state en-
com-agement and cooperation is the solution of such local problems as planning,
industrial waste, sewage disposal and drdnage I provided leadership in the
Senate last year for a state program of mosquito eradication and research,
and I recognise the importance or carrying this program fomni.
We met continue the progressive approach which in recent years has
carried Florida to the forefront in public health work, pntiwlsrly in reducing
amicable disease, Internal an! mm death rates, a in developing county
lualth departments.
I want Florida to make further progress in other fields, particularly
in our cmoer clinics; in diabetes control; and in mental health by the opera-
tion of regional hospitals for the insane and expansion of our preventive
program through district Weld-trio clinics and a more intensive propel! of
training md research. I will propose a study looking to Insane care of the
senile.
As a sponsor of Floridas first old age assistant. program I have
long been on record in favor or a sound and adocrxate welfare program. The
state shcmld do its utmost in the tour fields of funeral aidto the aged,
to the blind, to dependent children and to the disabled. In the L953 Legis-
lstmn 1 sponsored the bill which sought to bring Florida for the first time
into the com-disabled program. These programs should be administered
madly. oourtecush and vdth fairness to both the individuals entitled to
minimum ervl the taxpayers.
5. gimmangummsmmnn 033.53qu ass-mm:
No state has a greater stake in this field than Florida.
As the legislative sponsor of the State Board or Parks and Historic
llenorials, I naturally raver making more parka enjovahle to more people. I
favor expansion or the Everglades National Park to its hallset mm extent,
.5.
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vdthaWest Coast as well as I! Bet Coast mtrsnoea
We have a ten-fold water pmbleetoo much and too little. I will
exert every effort to at completion of the South and Central Florida flood
control mject. I will urge scientific developnmt and cmservation of our
fresh water supply.
Char forest opportmitiee should be developed effectively, not only
for hemty but also to keep wood-consuming industries adequately supplied.
The state should heed local public interest in the disposition of
euhnerged lands. The beauty of our inland watersm should be protected,
their ueeiulness developed. no maintenance of edequste public beach is
of prime immortenoe.
I will nice appointments searing non-apolitical handling of the work
of the Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission. I advocate the bringing of
millions of additional acres under game management, opening more lands and
more lakes to public mating and fishing. hyacinth control must be emanded.
mt cpoortmiities in the field of salt water conservation and
developuent are practically unlimited. I am hopeful that tin interim
stack of this field authorised by the last legislature will point the w
to sound, fen-reaching progress.
The field of conservation offers one of our greatest opportunities
for consolidation of activities, for settlement of conicts. We must recog-
nise the economic value of centennial fishing to the state and encourage
its developlnent short of interference with sports fishing, which is one
of our greatest pleesunes eni greatest assets.
6. AGRICULTURAL AND mmmm. mace AND mean:
Vs met step up and oooniinate our efforts to male! more land more
profitably productive an! to provide more Jobs for more people.
I will look to those actively engaged in not: agricultural pursuits
u citrus, vegetable and livestock growing for leadership and advice on
policies affecting their interests.
I will urge adequate financing of practical research and experiments-
tion in both agicultursl and industrial fields.
I will cooperate with the latch-American Council in the development
of a cultural and trade center and with any similar groups sponsoring pmjecta
which give promise or adding strength and balance to our state.
7. HIOH'IXYS ADEQIIPSE T m m NEEDS:
- Florida faces no greater, no more urgent problem than the inadequacy
ofiteprinaryorarterislhidmaya Weamnmtmaloetbm
wider, smoother or safer. In fact, we met make an entile new approach,
eliminating political considerations and spending our road nosey whore
established needs require.
I remend that the state discontinue the policy of dividing primary
road mnev according to Road bard district lines, based on old congressional
districts union have little or no relation to existing requirements. I will
urge legal designation of a state arterial system joinins Population centers.
Provision should be made for ultimate reasonable united access features on
We within this custom.
I also will seek to insure long-range programing of road canstmotion
by having term of Road Board numbers staggered so thd: an entire board is not
displaced at the start of each Governor's torn and by protecting comer personnel
from political pressures. Staggered toms are also important in view or
various bond progrmns, including those for the lower Tampa Bar Midge, the
Jloksonville masonry, the tamtee, Sarasota, )lartin and Bmward bridges.
Such refoms will correct abuses which have node it necessary for us
to look to a toll road for early solution of at least our nortb~couth through
trafc problem The results of changing our says will not be felt in time to
enable us to delay the turnpike. The mthorised pet of it should be started
m, and, realising that our toll road financing rests on a determination of
feasibility, I will urge the Legislature to authorise full-length extension.
The route of a turnpike of any length is not for the Governor to decide, but I
believe a Central Florida route offers the best overall solution. I favor a
crossstate spar to the Tongue Bay areafree if possible.
I do not see a turnpike as eliminating the need for adequate tree
highwm. I favor it only as the earliest possible answer to an urgent emblem,
on! as an ultimate generator of additional traffic. I naturallv prefer tree
highways. I will mus the KcCar'Ly tdlniniotrx. ion program of toll fouls-hung
e! U. 3. l, the need for which is obvious. Four Inning is a necessity on new
other Inge-aye in all sections of the state. There are other equallv clear need:
including co plotion of the Jacksonville mama md closing of tin gap
batman the Gulf Coast Highway and the laser Taspa Bay Bridge. I will carry
forward as speedily as possible these and similar program to which the state has
been can-itted. All such comic-tents can be not \tthin a reasmable tile on]:
by adopting refom such as I propose or such as will mlt Iron a current
study by the LegislatiVo Council.
Tln mod for a sound rants-market or secondary road program is
vital. nes roads serve not only our agricultural and marchinst but
51.0 serve as essential feeders for our arterial svsten. I favor contin-
uing the policy or allowing countv comiseion review or secondary rod projects.
A cannalstelv revised State load Department law should prohibit the
letting of contracts in excess of cash available within the construction period.
I maany general xed program for him construction.
8. mm RIG-RV SAFETY mu
We must do more than deplore deaths and injuries in automobile soci-
dents. Fe met develop: poeitivo nrormun around the tru'ee E's of highuy
safety: Enforcement, Education and engineering.
I propose mulling the Highway Patrol sui'i'ioiently to assure mists
and effective patrol work. Inner automobile insurance rates would more than
offset the cost.
I ll advocate uniform traffic regulations and devices, not only
to avoid ooomeion but also to combat speed traps. I will advocate periodic
reexaudnations to got were drivern or! the night-rays and strict 1m enforce-
ment to eliminate the repeaters and drunken drivers from the highways.
mutt-notion in safe driving should be given mry boy and girl in
Our public schools.
Our roads should be carefully engimored for safety.
9. AGG'ESSIVE GA' FAItni 10 P-i. W13 mm's TWIRIST 513'! 335:
u ._..--
Tb appropriation for the stats Advertising Omission must In regard-
ed as insufficient as long as the state can get more than an offsetting return
on its investment.
We met be alert to new and proper ideas for attracting and enter-
tuning visitors summer and winter. Our aeoomodrtione, our activities,
our parks, our roads, our goveran, om hospitality must not disappoint then.
OIerever possible, we met coordinate our appeals and our events. In this,
I will provide leadership anti encourage activo state partieinatioa vhen
practicable.
I will devote active attention to programs designed to attract
retired persons to Floridoc to regulations aimed at protecting them against
abuses ani disappointmnta.
10. ADDITIR'AL TIsXXS
Ee can mate the progress envisioned in this platform without adding
to the tax linden because Florida 7.1;- growing state. Especially since enact-
ment of the sales taxas unpleasant as the necessity for this broadening
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' o! our tax base m-our revenue from meeting sources has grown space with
the demanded a bigger Ind better state.
7e canand we shouldrabvm- consider carnation of inequities
in our to: structure, thereby easing the burden where it is unfair.
Just as we must protect m tax sources ageinet federal encroach-
ment, we met assure fair and adequate sources of revenue to our cities and
counties. The property test field has been left to them. In view or their
present heavy reliance on state aid for certain functions, the state has a
dutv to all ite taxpmre to make provision for the nee of standard uniform
assessment policiee by the respective counties.
Especially with the achievement of economy and efficiency in state
government and with hate rule offering the ewe opportunity in local
government, I am confident we can carry Florida fomrd without additional
taxes. With all the energy and ability at on merit, with constructive
leadership, with stable zomrmnt, I will do Just that.
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filwha ti i All: I I u 2 th5 },1 c 1h ig C E
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(a) A nOf plan for anceessearsh event of the Governaris rhath or dias (b) Ingishtive roarportion:-erit tation to the more populus arens;
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aow amused to effect sound, cc.refuis i proyse to do, with the help of id other inteested organization. FACIIJTTE Al~0 f.PD02Tl>|ITI55: victim Eat education is one af that atter state, a better futuit. It i rvices necessar; for th-ir p (f} To emetruct ado (g) To make avaih-al .her neossartona rar hnth
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4. .1 -~i" I-1, 1'LHADILildSuliI
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4th ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ .. ....C.. s il a ia ol~tetrn
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't EI-;N -f5 5=.--17. --T --2.1' ]a--yi i 1s'ig: -' Floride: faces no createer, no rnie urgent r'roham the.n & inadequ-.cy of its pi'inac or arterial highm-3 Praisies alone -:rill not riake tholt -:dder, sirGother or saior. In fact, a sittsL make ;m E:ntirav re'l er'reach, e-ininatiri:: pol.ibical co-t nation elvi spendire our road mirtoy al-ere estab].ishrd needs rentira. i re-carm~rmd tha tio stelte clise-:rititrae the nolic o: i!viding priary raad irnr.e:necording to Road hard Estrirt 11:es, based n, estd congrazional districts nich have little er r.o relal:1.-:3 ta existine requirway. 1 -:rill argrlegal r.lesignation of a stai-e artariin rerstem joini:In pa-,ulati-an writerm Provisir r shalt! be alada for ulti-lia--r: r:2:sa-.,abh limited access feabilros an highwan w Ltti. this nstem. I alar vrt]l sek id innre 19rg-.rom;e prop;rernmier; of I'oad col:stractien tr.haviro'; -arm of Ro--d nonr-.3 r.er;ibers 0.:-adred so that er -entim -:soard te :10% rlieplaced a'. the: star's nE e-leh Go-,'ore.u:ta term -ind by orctoelin.can y pamrnel frolla roll!,n-11 pressurem Mrog:al to-me. are also -important -2: -:i.-3, af variole hard r-rorrraim ir':e~aiding b;103: --or the luer Taili-.r Er _.ek-a, the Jachranvil:e Exi.rosam '.|-.r: -stea, Dirac.ota, li:Irtin ml -tur:a:-) brikes, Wh reforms l'aill corrr:ct asias which have erle -1|. r.r.r-:ss:!ry fo-' -m to leali to a tol]. road for E:-rly al i.3:3 of at lost or ---:-.4_-.:06 thre.igh traffic problas. T-ne reg:alto -Jt c:1._-c111--c lair ways mill nel e i':.:-t :_n tulig to enable us tro clehy the ture.r-jke "' -: ce 2.orimid n:-rt of 1.t c.-r .-:-.r; he sagd ne% and, real-ining to-.t gg ball re-a financing resta oti a aritraitr:stiert of feasibility, 1 ;-aill urge the -agislatserto stkorize full-M-.,an exterdon. The route af a turnisike af r:ny length i:3 r:et for tie 'Jover:.x a de:ci.:]e, hi:t I believe a Central Florida reuk ot-fer: Die he'st overra1 :iol-ity.li. 1 favor a CTrainstate spe to the Ta-on Bay arcader.e il possibk. I do not see a turnpike a eliirire.tir.r tivi r.eed 2 -!d::qarie frca 1:191%--y& I fe:nr it onl-r y bl:e m=rliest 355:bh anar ta a cret -ircrag al "as a-t '.titilr.nte meret:.r nr -diiti-:n-11 traffir. I natin.11v -r-eler free b-irby'nys. I 2.11 r:arc-Je !-'ai::r-ol -'.an 1-:Gra ior. r:rrgra of all Towlanirg of ~i. 3. 1, the ne'! for Wich .i:. Obri f::-or hitints is e incesity on s._ray n'.her liigie:oys tri oli m:egr.n: -_ _r clear not includir:g co plotion of tly: J-:ci:si:.n-d.1 !'' tr're rn r1 clawi-is of 11e yp beheen the Gulf Callat !!ah-:gr -a +,tw m'ae-..,i ll carry famrd 30 speedily or pomble thee a si-dhr pr 'm e sai LEa sute on 'Imm com it+.'s. all rizh c'Titr.ent carbe met at thin a me:n:.ba t-j-e on1 IT-niderJiir:.re fori-15 511 C-fi ge 1 pr0pO50 1:1r --licil RG -.'i 31 3-1-,011 -40 frer ,'irronTa ::bud-: be th Lrgislative CoungiL
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-secondary road program is .ure.1 and com-iercial needa but 1 systera. I rarer c--rtin.. r-vi-," of seconi-rv rond rirajmo ant 1r: shold prohibit the .e within ib/: constriiotiue peri highe.y et>nstructi.-.a
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