The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-11-10
GOV. GORDON'S MESSAGE.
ALL THE AFFAIRS OF THE STATE
REVIEWED AT LENGTH.

maturing bOuOS, anu d OyhOpSlo "a
the Financial Situation.
ATLANTA, GA, Nov 9-The message of
the governor was laid before the legisla-
ture to-day. Following is a synopsis of it:
This session of the general assembly convenes
for the transaction of an unusual amount of
important business, which Will claim It's atien-
ton during the session under the most latter
ing auspices. The prosperity of the state tor
the last two years has been unprecedented in
her history. Her system of railroads has
largely extended and improved, her manufact-
uring interests have multiplied, her agrcult
ure has been remunerative, her capital, popu-
lation and taxable values have largely III
creased and she has advanced rapidly IN all
directions which indicate high and healthful
progress.
THE TREAsCRER's REPORT
The report of the treasurer of the state, show
ing the receipts and disbursements of the de
partment for the "official report year ending
Sept 80. 1888 and containing u dt tailed estimate
OF the probable receipts and expenditures FOR
1he next fiscal year. is herewith transmitted and
attention is invited TO it as an interesting and
gratifying exhibit of the financial condition OF
The state. From this reDort it appears that the
balance in the treasury in September 1897, was
sS3i? 762 49, that the receipts from said date to
Sept. 80. 1888, inclusive were $1,000 692 q; that
from Oct I. 1887, TO Sept 80, 1888. the treasurer
k2s paid executive warrants aud warrants of the
president of the Senate and speaker of the
House, amounting to S2,Ol9 l03 OF, and that the
balance in the treasury on Oct /, 1888. was
S23l, 1851 80.
GEoRGIA's BONDED DEBT
It also appears from said report that the
bonded debt of Georgia Oct. !, 1883, was
S., s52 305. Under the act approved Sept. 5,
1887 the governor authorized to issue ton1s
of the state to an amount not to exceed
ST. 900, 900. and to negotiate the same for the
purpose of raising money with which to paw off
an amount of the public debt which falls due
Jan. J. 1889, and is not otherwise provided for.
The bonds authorized by this act were to be
issued as to fall due IN series of 100000
na1,r hDe rin anil grX md
10 bear interest at rate not ex-
ceediug AZ per cent. per annu n,
payable semi annually. The denomination
of said bonds having been fixed at 81, 900, and
the rate Of interest at AZ per centum per
mum. under the discretion given by the act to
the executive, said bonds were prepared, adver-
tised issued sold and delivered, in strict ac-
cordance with the provisions of said act, ard the
proceeds of their sale have been received and
are now in the treasury of the state The price
paid for these bonds was par, and AZ per cent.
premium. This is the highest price ever paid
for bonds issued by this state, and the sale
der all the circumstances was exceedingly graf
flying.
NEW ISSUE.
On Oct. 1, 1890, a series of the bonds of the
state, amounting to S2.098, 900, will mature, and
the duty will devolve upon the general assem-
bly,, at its present session, to provide for their
payment. II this shall be zone by authorizing
an issue of bonds, recommend, in accordance
with the suggestion of the general assembly in
1887, to carry out the provisions of the cons itu
raised each year by taxation and held
as a sinking fund to pay the bonds of the state
which have not matured, to credit such sinking
fund for the years 1887 and 1888 and for the
years 1897 to 1915 inclusive, and appropriate
said fund for each of said years. The general
assembly must now provide sinking fund for
the years 1889 to 1895, inclusive. would call
attention to the fact that bonds of the state
amounting to SS07 800 fall due Jan. l, 1892, and
that on July /, 1896, another series of
bonds fall due amounting to $542, 900,
and that some provision must be made to meet
them as they mature. ! recommend that the
sinking fund for 1889, 1890 and 1891 be appro-
priated to the payment of bonds falling due
Jan l. 1892, aud that for 1892. 1898, 1874, 1895.
and 1896 to the payment of those maturing
July l, 1896. II this recommendation is
adopted the general assembly will have pro-
vded for the payment of every bond issued by
the state and falling due prior to the year 1915
This will be accomplished too without any
increase of taxation BY the year 1915 the
bonded debt of the state will be reduced to So,
$4,000. This sum will be mere bagatelle for
Georgia to pay and will serve as ballast to keep
her steady.
REPORT OF THE COMPTROLLER GENERAL.
The annual report of the comptroller general
for the year beginning Oct. !, 1887, and ending
Sept 30. 1888, is a very interesting and sug
gestive document. 1t shows the receipts and
period and the balance on hand
receipts from Oct /, 1887, TO Sept 3d. 1883 81 91O
6a2 2l making the total amount to be accounted
for 81. $50, 454 50 The executive warrants paid
hy the treasurer amount to 81. S94, $50 81: the
warrants of the president of the Senate and
speaker of the House paid by the treasurer
onlount to S124, 222 20, making total payments
Of S2.019, f03 o.. The balance in the treasury
Oct l. 1888, was S23l ,357 81.
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMISSIONER.
The state school commissioners report shows
that this state has not perfect system by any
means. What the system needs is large and
permanent addition to its funds A general
local option education law could be framed with
such elasticity that it might be adapted to some
extent to the wants of each particular county
adopting it.
THE PEEITENTIARY DEPARTMENT.
The report of the penitentiary department
shows that during the last two years 51S con-
victs have been discharged. 56 were pardoned,
81 escaped, 81 died were discharged who
were illegally confined. . sent to the asylum and
escaped while attending court as a witness;
and there we're living in penlteptiary Oct I,
1885, l,iS', increase OF ii over last year, two
of whom are women.
CITIZEN SOLDIERS.
The better organization. government and dis
cipline of the militia of the state is subject
which is now attracting mnch attention
throughout the union. In Georgia because we
are peaceful. SO prosperous and so absorbed in
the problems OF material development a small
sum Of money from the treasury of the state.
added to the equipment furnished by
the federal government, would very much
increase the efficiency OF our military force and
revive the military spirit of the state.
Inc duNlSOTN nOdFO Is lne InoSl important
feature in the military system of Georgia. The
efficiency of the organizati,n depends upon
this board. IL is the military council OF the
commander-in chief The law requires that it
Ehali meet at the capital whenever directed by
the governor, and authorizes him to convene it
IN his discretion. but there is not dollar appro-
priated Tor the compensation of the members
OF the board or to defray their necessary
penses. &c )r2ia, in fact, does not pay dollar
FOR the support of its military system. ! rec
ommend that sufficient appropriation be
made detray
pual encampment of the volunteer
troops Of the state and to pay to
tho members of the advisory board the same
per diem and mileage which is received by
members of the general assembly.
With reference to the compensation OF con
iederate veterans for the loss OF limbs the gov
arnor recommends that the benefits OF this be
extended, and that its bounties be increased ms
much as possible With reference TO the report
ot the commission that made an inventory OF
the property Of The Western and Atlantic rail.
road, the governor makes no suggestions.
IN SENATE AND HOUSE.