CHAPTER 4569-[No. 55.] AN ACT to Establish a Battalion of Naval Militia to be Known as the First Naval Battalion of the State of Florida. Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: SECTION 1. That in addition to the companies and batteries of militia now provided for, there shall be allowed a battalion of naval militia, to consist of not more than four divisions, and to be known as the First Naval Battalion of the State of Florida, which shall constitute a part of the militia force of this State. SEC. 2. Divisions may be formed in the vicinity of any seaport in the State of Florida, and when so formed and offered to the State may, in the discretion of the Commander-in-Chief, be accepted, until the battalion is full as herein provided. SEC. 3. The officers of said battallion shall be one lieutenant commander, who shall command the same; one lieutenant to act as battalion adjutant and executive officer, and one lieutenant to act as navigator and ordnance officer, and one ensign to act as signal officer and assistant to navigator and ordnance officer. The commanding officer of each division shall be a lieutenant, and in addition thereto, for each division there shall be one lieutenant (junior grade), two ensigns, and not less than thirty-two nor more than sixty-four members, including petty officers. The number of petty officers to each division shall be such as the Commander-inChief may from time to time order and direct. 1897. Where divisions to be formed. Officers Commissioned SEC. 4. The commissioned staff officers of the battalion shall be one paymaster, one surgeon and one chaplain, each staff officers. with the rank of lieutenant (junior grade), and one assistant surgeon, with the rank of ensign. There shall also be allowed to the battalion a petty staff to consist of such petty officers as the Commander-in-Chief orders and directs. Petty staff officers. Manner of division. SEC. 5. A division of naval militia may be formed in the same manner as is provided for the formation of a company forming of Florida State Troops. The naval battalion shall be constituted as soon as two divisions are completely organized. SEC. 6. The lieutenant commander and lieutenant to act as navigator and ordnance officer and the ensign to act as signal officer and assistant to navigator and ordnance officer, shall be elected by the commissioned officers of the battalion, lieutenants, lieutenants (junior grade) and ensigns shall be elected by the ballots of the members of their respective di ordnance officer. Navigator and 1897. Proviso. Organization visions; Provided, That in all such elections a majority of the ballots of the qualified voters shall be requisite to an election. The staff officers of the naval battalion shall be appointed by the commander and the petty officers of the division by the respective lieutenants thereof. SEC. 7. The organization of the naval battalion, and its system of discipling and exercise shall conform, as nearly as may be, to that of the navy of the United States. It shall be and discipline. governed by the laws and regulations as now provided for governing the Florida State Troops, as far as the same may be applicable; and the Governor, as Commander-in-Chief, shall have power to alter, divide, annex, consolidate or disband the said battalion whenever in his judgment the efficiency of the State forces will be thereby increased; and he shall have power to make such rules and regulations as may be deemed proper for the use, government and instruction of the said battalion. Such rules and regulations shall conform to the provisions of this act, and as nearly as practible, to those governing the United States navy. Uniform. Battalion. Rank of cicers. Powers of the <Governor. Where duties of the Naval Battalion to be performed. SEC. 8. The uniform of the naval battalion, and the insignia and designation of grade and rank shall be such as the Commander-in-Chief may direct. SEC. 9. A battalion of naval militia shall be considered the equivalent of a battalion of land militia, and a division of naval militia shall be considered the equivalent of a company of land militia, and equally in the State service, and they shall be entitled to equal rights, privileges and allowances, except as otherwise provided in compliance with this. act. .SEC. 10. The rank of officers in the naval battalion is naval rank, and corresponds with army rank as indicated in the general regulations governing the Florida State Troops. The relative position of seamen in the naval militia is that of privates in the Florida State Troops; the relative position of petty officers shall be fixed by the Commander in-Chief. SEC. 11. The Governor is authorized to make the necessary arrangements for carrying the provisions of this act into effect as soon as the government of the United States is ready to supply arms and equipments, and necessary material and opportunities for naval instruction and drill. And the Governor is further authorized to apply to the President of the United States or the Secretary of the Navy of the United States for the loan of a practice vessel for the use of the Naval Militia, and the detail of commissioned and petty officers of the navy to act as inspectors and instructors in the art of naval warfare. The duty of the Naval Battalion may be performed afloat in the vessels of the United States, or Approved June 4, 1897. 1897. CHAPTER 4570-[No. 56.] AN ACT Making an Appropriation for the Encampment and Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: SECTION 1. That the sum of eight thousand dollars be and the same is hereby appropriated to pay the expenses of the encampment of the State Troops for the year 1897; and the sum of four thousand dollars be and the same is hereby ap- Appropriation. propriated, or so much thereof as may be necessary, to pay for the transportation of said troops at a rate not to exceed one cent per mile. SEC. 2. That this act shall take effect immediately upon its approval by the Governor. Approved May 24, 1897. CHAPTER 4571.—[No. 57.] AN ACT to Make an Appropriation to Pay the Balance Due the Be it Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: SECTION 1. That the sum of nine thousand dollars be and the same is, hereby appropriated out of any money in the State Treasury, not otherwise appropriated, to pay the balance due the enumerators who took census of the State of Florida in the year A. D. 1895. ators. SEC. 2. That the Comptroller issue his warrant, and the State Treasurer pay the amount of the same to the holder of the certificate given by the Secretary of State and Commis- Pay of enumer sioner of Agriculture to each enumerator, in accordance with the report of the State census, given by said Secretary of State and said Commissioner of Agriculture. If any moneys, are left over out of said nine thousand dollars after paying 1897. each enumerator the amount due him in accordance with said Approved May 18, 1897. CHAPTER 4572-[No. 58.] AN ACT in Relation to the Giving of Bonds in Judicial Proceedings. Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: SECTION 1. That in all judicial proceedings, whenever it may become necessary for any party thereto to give a bond for any purpose, the bond of such party having as surety thereon any surety company authorized to do business in this State, may be accepted by any officer or court, whose duty it shall be to approve such bond without other surety. SEC. 2. That the provisions of the foregoing section shall apply to bonds given in connection with any appellate proceeding for the purpose of obtaining supersedeas, or for any other purpose. SEC. 3. That this act shall take effect immediately upon its approval by the Governor. Approved May 29, 1897. Commissioners CHAPTER 4573-[No. 59.] AN ACT to Amend Section 939 of Revised Statutes of Florida Relating to Examination and Licensing of Pilots by Pilot Commissioners. Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: SECTION 1. That Section 939 of the Revised Statutes of the State of Florida be amended so as read as follows: Section 939. Commissioners to examine and license pilots. Said Board of Commissioners shall examine persons who may wish to be licensed as pilots in all matters pertainto examine and ing to the management of vessel; also in regard to their knowledge of the channel and harbor where they wish to act as pilots; and if upon examination they find them qualified to license pilots. 1897. take command of all classes of vessels liable to enter that port, and thoroughly familiar with the channel and currents of the harbor, they shall appoint and license such a member of those found qualified as are requisite to perform the duties required of the pilots for that port so that there shall not be more than twenty-five licensed pilots for the port of Pensa- Licensed pilots cola, nine for the port of Apalachicol, four for the port of for port of Pensacola, ApaFernandina and Nassau Inlet, eight for the port of St. Johns, lachicola, etc. eight for the port of Port Tampa, three for the port of Punta Gorda, three for the port of Charlotte Harbor, two for the port of St. Andrews, two for the port of Cedar Keys, ten for the port of Key West, and two for any other port not specifically mentioned in this act, and thereafter when vacancies occur in the number of pilots in any of the ports of this State, the commissioners of that port, may in their discretion, grant license as pilots as heretofore provided until the number of pilots reaches the number allowed by this act for that port. Provided, however, That pilots who are now duly licensed shall hold their office according to law. The said Proviso. pilots shall be entitled to hold their license and appointments during good behavior, and the said board shall require from each pilot satisfactory bonds for the faithful performance of his duties. Approved June 3, 1807. CHAPTER 4574-[No. 60.] AN ACT Exempting the Employes of Certain State Institutions from Duty as Grand and Petit Jurors. Be is enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: jury duty. SECTION 1. The employes of all insane, deaf and dumb and other asylums and hospitals established and maintained Exempt from by the State of Florida as State institutions, for the care, maintenance, treatment, etc., of the afflicted of the State, shall be and are hereby exempt from serving as grand and petit jurors in the courts of the State. SEC. 2. On the first Monday of January, April, June and September in each calendar year, the superintendent or person having charge of such institution, shall file in the office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of the county where such institution is situated, a certified list of all adult male employes of the same. to file in office of Clerk of the list of adult male employes. Superintendent Court certified |