The Dawson journal., 1883-07-12

~ 80 - - SNCADAt hNNL StilOFt'l Nv
minors. idiots and lunatics.'' That
is putting the case very strong, but
it suggests a very just view Of the
practical effect Of the proposed law.
Governors Message.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT. STATE OF
GEORGIA, ATLANTA, July 5th.-Totte
Senate and House Of Representatives.:
1t is the duty OF the executive to
communicate to the General Assem-.
bly,, from time to time, information Of
the condition and suggestions forthe
government of the commonwealth.
regret 10 Inform you that the
Treasury Department of the United
States has declined to pay the sam
OF S35 ,555,43. appropriated by con.
gress in the act, approved March 3,
1888, 40 refund to the State of
Georgia certain money expended by
said State for the common defense
in l777.' The first Comptroller of
the Treasury has decided that this
sum shall be credited on account of
what is claimed to be due for the
the quota OF direct taxes, apportion-
ed to the State bv The direct tax act
of August 9Th, 1881. This decision
is. in my judgement erroneous : and
l have notified the Secretary Of the
Treasury that the State does not ac-
qniesce in it, If the taxes claimed
are due, the obligation is upon the
citizen, and not upon the State.
which has never assumed the pay
ment OF the taxes and cannot be
justly charged with them, All pro
per means will be used to secure the
payment Of the sum appropriated for
the benefit Of the State.
The various matters submitted in
the messages Of nay predecessors, in
connection with the annual reports
of State officials, and otherwise
should, and doubtless will, receive
the consideration their importance
3'--ao'l Is desire to supplement
them by inviting your attention TO
additional subjects of legislation.
The act OF October Is, 1879. bro
yides that *the Governor shall name
and appoint a solvent. chartered
bank, of good standing and credit.
In each Of the following cities of this
State, to wit In the cities of At
lanta, Athens, Augusta, Columbus.
Macon, Savannah, Rome, Amer:cus,
Albany, Hawkinsyille, Gainesville.
Griffin and Lagrange, which shall be
known and designated as State de
positories. In pursuance OF this
law the following banks were desiq-
mated as State repositories, to-wit
Bank Of Rome, November is.
1879; Savings Department Eagle &
Phenix Manufacturing Company,
Columbus, November q, 1879:
Central Georgia Bank, Macon,
November q, 1879; Griffin
Banking Company, November u.
1870; LaGrauge Banking and
Trust Company, November a. 1879:
Citizens Bank Of Georgia, Atlanta.
November rs, 1879; Southern Bank
Of Georgia, Savannah, December ,,
1879. Georgia Railroad and Banking
Company, Augusta, December >.
1879; Bank Of the University. Ath-
ems, December 6, 1879 and the
Bank Of Americus, March Is, 1880.
each for term Of four years. The
Citizens Bank of Georgia and the
Bank Of Rome have ceased to do
business, and the Griffin Banking
Company, on the 18Th day of April,
1881, declined to receive further de-
posts OF public money. The other
banks named continue to discharge
the duties assigned them. The act
would seem to contemplate further
Legislation at the expiration of these
terms. Urder this construction. the !
power of the executive to appoint de- /
positOries was exhausted in the fore !
going exercise of it. No provision
IS made, in terms, for sui sequent ap- !
poiutments Of the same banks. or
other banks, pending the term of /
four years, or subsequent to the ex-
plratlon OF the term. 1t is manifest
ly unwise to leave a matter Of such
importance to executive construction.
a mistake might involve consequen-
ces of u nature toe serious to be in
Cured without necessity.
The act should be repealed. or
to conform to the condi-
tons soon to exist The policy of
providing for the safety of tie large
sums Of money necessary to be kept
IN the treasury at certain times in
EACH year to meet the expenses of the
STATE government and to pav the
public debt, must be left TO the Wis
dom OF the Legislature If the
present system Is TO lie continued. /
respectfully recommend that the law
b. SO amended as to provide for sub
seqnent appointments, under any
circumstances which may require
hem. A recent application. by Ger
tam sureties on the bond Of a State
depository to be relieved from fur
lher liability on the bond, upon the
2ln'l's giving Jtnar satisfactory sure
s 'oa L vas re13y to do, sug-
! CAS- 49, ar 4urLI4put. de-
.llne to release these sureties. for The