Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-11-07
The Gorarnor,s Message.


we have already published-is in every
respect a mastery document. 1t sets
forth concisely and fully the general
condition of the State, and it shows that
Georgia is on the broad highway to
wealth and prosperity. AS the Governor
says, I'VE may justly claim for our
State that in every department OF indus
try our people are prospecting and adj
vancing. In our agriculture; in our
mining operations; in the intro
duction and multiplication Of
our mechanical establishments; in the
wonderful extension of our lumber in
terests; in the marked improvement in
the healthfulness of our State-we find
the most substantial grounds for self
graduation" He but speaks the plain
simple truth when he says that without
arrogance or vainglory we can rejoice
that, under the signal blessing OF ProVi-
dence, we are pressing on to take our
places abreast of the most advanced
States in Christendom. This condition
of affairs speaks well for the administra-
ton of Governor Colquitt, under whose
six years incumbency Of the Executive
office the State has fourished and
prospered far beyond any of her Southern
sisters, and has indeed ontstripped many
of the favored Northern common
wealths.
In common with Georgians every
where, we, on the seaboard, naturally
feel sincere satisfaction at the general
prosperity of our State, and indulge the
hope that under the administration OF
Governor Stephens this prosperity may
not only continue, but steadily and surely
increase. There are one or two subjects
in the message of Ex-Governor Colquitt,
however, in which we of Chatham coun
ty and of the city of Savannah feel much
more than ordinary interest. These are
''The Drainage of Chatham County" and
the remarks of the Governor on ''The
State Board of Health"
Regarding the first Of these subjects
Governor Colquitt speaks in the
highest terms of our city - GeCr-
gia's great seaport-which he says
''has ever been to the people OF
Georgia cherished interest and pride. .
He alludes to the important results which
have already been accomplished by the
board appointed for the conduct Of the
important work of draining Chatham
county, and calls attention to the fact
that an additional sum for further
prosecution of the enterprise is asked for.
He recommends that this request be
granted, and suggests to the Legislature
that cit would be well to consider the
great good tina. may be accomplished by
continuing and generously sustaining the
public-spirited gentlemen who compose
the board"
Regarding the State Board of Health,
the Ex-Governor states that the board
was created by the Legislature during
the session of 1878, and at once entered
upon its duties, though the members re.
ceived no compensation for their ser
vices. 1t continued in active existence fol
two years, but the failure Of the Legisla
ture to make the annual appropriation
necessary for printing and such like un
avoidable expenses resulted in sus
pension of its labors. He calls attention
to the fact that while it existed. it rem
dered valuable service to the State, and
that such an agency is now deemed in
dispensable by most Of the States Of the
Union.
These are the two suggestions IN the
message of the late Governor which are
invested with special interest to our peo
pie. The proper drainage of Chatham
county will not only prove beneficial in
a sanitary point of view to our immedi
ate section, but will bring under cult
walton thousands of acres of land in q
county which already pays more taxes
annually into the State Treasury than
any other county in Georgia save one.
By the proper prosecution of this work,
therefore, the whole State will be di-
rectly benefited 1t is needless to dilate
upon the great advantages certain to
enure to the public from the establish
ment of a State Board of Health, since
the maintenance Of the public health is
one of the greatest blessings which can
be secured to the people of any State. 1t
is to be hoped that the Legislature will
promptly bestow upon these valuable
suggestions of the late Governor the
consideration which their Importance de-
| mands.