CHAPTER 5600—(No. 5). AN ACT Creating a State Board of Pensions, Defining Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 1907. Section 1. That the Governor, Comptroller and the Board. Sec. 2. Any person who enlisted and served in the mili- Who entitled tary or naval service of the Confederate States or of this to receive State, including home guards and reserves, during the war between the States of the United States, and did not desert the Confederate or State service, and who was a bona-fide citizen of this State continuously for ten years prior to date and filing of the application for pension, and who is over sixty years of age at the date of application, shall each receive one hundred dollars per annum in quarterly payments; all such persons who lost a limb or limbs, an eye or eyes, or who is permanently disabled by reason of wounds or disease to gain a livelihood by manual labor, shall be entitled to receive each per annum in quarterly payments the following amounts, to-wit: For total loss of sight, $150.00. For loss of one eye, $100.00. For loss of a foot or leg, $125.00. For loss of both hands, $150.00. For loss of both feet, $150.00. For loss of one hand and one foot of same person, $150.00. For personal injuries, disease or age whereby the person is unable to earn a livelihood by manual labor, $120.00. For total disability, as shown by affidavit of a reputable physician, $150.00. 1907. Sec. 3. The widow of any deceased soldier or sailor who enlisted and served in the military or naval service of the Widows of Confederate States or of this State, including Home diers to re- Guards and Reserves, during the war between the States ceive pension of the United States, and did not desert the Confederate deceased sol Proviso. Prohibition. Certain pensioners retained. Oath. or State service, shall be entitled to receive the sum of one hundred and twenty dollars per annum, in quarterly payments; Provided, Such widow was lawfully married to said soldier or sailor ten years prior to the filing of application for pension and has continuously resided in this State ten years previous to making application; and the widow of a deceased person who was at the time of his death drawing a pension from this State shall be granted a widow's pension upon satisfactory proof of her marriage, her residence in this State and the death of her husband, and she shall not be required to make additional proof of her husband's service, and the pension so granted shall date from the death of the widow's husband; Provided, She file her application within ninety days after the death of her husband, but any widow of a deceased person who would have been entitled to a pension under this act shall make proof as would the person if living. Sec. 4. No person receiving a pension from any other State shall be entitled to a pension under this act. Sec. 5. Persons drawing pensions under previous acts of the Legislature of Florida are retained and entitl to the benefits of this act. Sec. 6. The payment of new claims shall be made from Applications. the date of the filing of the application in the Pension Office. The applicant shall make oath before an officer authorized to administer oaths and use seal, stating the company in which or ship upon which he enlisted, date and cause of expiration of his service, citizenship and rights to the benefits of this act. Proof of service. He shall furnish the affidavit of a commissioned officer, or of any two soldiers, or any two sailors with whom he has served, or the affidavit of the Adjutant of a camp of. United Confederate Veterans or of any two good citizens of his county, showing that he rendered the service or is a member in good standing in a camp of United Confederate Veterans. Sec. 7. The Board of County Commissioners of the 1907. county in which the applicant resides shall investigate all claims made under this act and report upon the appli- Duty of cation whether or not the pension applied for should be missioners. granted. County Com Sec. 8. The State Board of Pensions shall furnish Board to furnish blanks. annually suitable blanks for making such reports and shall file applications for pensions immediately on receipt of same. Sec. 9. All sums required for the payment of pensions Payment. to applicants under the provisions of this act, shall be paid by warrants drawn by the Comptroller on the Treasurer of the State, in favor of the applicant for the sum which he or she may be entitled, out of any moneys in the State Treasury raised by special levy for the payment of pensions as provided in this act. County Com Sec. 10. The County Commissioners of each county Duty of shall at least once in each year examine the pension rolls missioners. of their respective counties and ascertain whether or not any person on said pension roll should be dropped from same by reason of not being entitled to draw said pension under the provisions of this act and make report of their findings to the State Board of Pensions, who are hereby authorized to drop such pensions from the list, if in their judgment the same should be done. Board. Sec. 11. The State Board of Pensions shall forward Duty of to each pensioner a certificate that he is entitled to draw a pension, which shall be prima facie evidence to the Clerk of the Circuit Court or any other officer of the county. Sec. 12. There shall annually be assessed and collected Pension tax. a tax of four mills per dollar on all property liable to assessment, which shall constitute a fund for the payment of pensioners, the proceeds of which shall be applied to the payment of pensions. vouchers. Sec. 13. That from and after the passage of this act Approval of it shall be lawful for pensioners of this State to have their vouchers approved and signed by either Clerks of the Circuit Court or by Notaries Public or any other officer authorized by law to administer oaths having a seal. 1907. Rules and Sec. 14. The State Board of Pensions shall prescribe rules and regulations for the carrying out of the provisions of the pension laws of this State, see that laws are complied with and shall make reports and recommendations to the Governor at least thirty days before the meeting of the Legislature. Said Board shall make rules and regulations for the conduct of their business as they may deem proper, not in conflict with the spirit and purpose of the pension laws. Clerk's sala- They may employ a clerk at a salary not exceeding five Lundred dollars per annum, payable quarterly out of the State Treasury on the certificate of the Chairman of said Board. ry. Repealing clause. Sec. 15. That all laws and parts of laws in conflict with the provisions of this act be and the same are hereby repealed. Sec. 16. That this act shall take effect upon its approval by the Governor. Approved May 29, 1907. CHAPTER 5601-(NO. 6). AN ACT to Appropriate the Amount now in the State Treasury or Hereafter to be Paid Therein to the Credit of the Pension Fund Under Laws Enacted Prior to the Present Session of the Legislature to the Purposes of an Act Entitled "An Act Creating a State Board of Pensions, Defining Who Shall Receive Pensions, Who Shall not Receive Pensions, Who Shall Be Retained as Pensioners, How Applications Shall Be Made, How Pensions Shall Be Paid, Duty of County Commissioners in Regard to Pensions, Providing for the Levy of a Pension Tax and Authorizing the State Board of Pensions To Make Regulations To Carry into Effect the Provisions of This Act," Approved May 29, 1907. Be it Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: Section 1. That the amount now in the State Treasury and all amounts to be paid therin to the credit of the Pen 1907. sion Fund under laws enacted prior to the present session of the Legislature be, and the same are hereby appropri ated to carry out the provisions and purposes of an act Pension fund entitled "An Act creating a State Board of Pensions, defining who shall receive pensions, who shall not receive pensions, who shall be retained as pensioners, how applications shall be made, how pensions shall be paid, duty of County Commissioners in regard to pensions, providing for the levy of a pension tax and authorizing the State Board of Pensions to make regulations to carry into effect the provisions of this act," approved May 29, 1907. Sec. 2. This act shall take effect immediately upon its approval by the Governor. Approved June 1st, 1907. CHAPTER 5602—(No. 7). AN ACT Relating to and Making Appropriation for the Construction and Repair of Buildings, Laying Out and Maintenance of Grounds, and for the Support and Maintenance of State Institutions of Higher Education Created and Required to be Maintained by Chapter 5384 of the Laws of Florida, Approved June 5, 1905, Known as the University of the State of Florida, the Florida Female College, the Institute for the Blind, Deaf and Dumb, and the Colored Normal School; to Provide for the Payment of Any Interest Deficit on the Three Per Cent Bonds Held for the Benefit of Any of Said Institutions Under the Said Act and the Act of Congress of July 2, 1862, and for the Payment of Any Unpaid Debts of the Institutions Abolished or Established by the Act Known as Chapter 5384, Approved June 5, 1905, Aforesaid, Under the Provisions Thereof. Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: Section 1. That the sum of five hundred and seventy thousand seven hundred and eleven dollars and fortythree cents, or so much thereof as shall be necessary, is |