The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1891-02-13
Ills INAUGURAL MESSAGE.
Gov. Buchanan Gives His Views
On Matters of General
Interest.
VARIOUS RECOMMENDATIONS MADE
Full Text of the Lengthy Paper
Sent to the State Leg
iSlature

General Assembly of Tennessee-Gentlemen
In obedience to the requirements of the Con-
stitution herewith present for your consider
alton a brief message, recommending such
measures as L deem expedient.
My honored predecessor has already placed
before YOU an able, comprehensive and ex-
haustive statement of the work Of the various
branches of the Executive Department during
his incumbency of Office, showing the advances
made and the present condition Of State affairs,
and by his wise suggestions has made the work
of further advising your honorable bodies
comparatively light task. With congratula-
tons to you and the people upon the good con-
dition of the State Government, it is my duty
to take up the work where it has been laid
down and carry it on.
All progress which has been made should
serve a basis for still greater advancement,
and self congratulation should haI G the effect
only to stimulate our efforts to make greater
attachments. The good that has been done
should be fostered; the mistakes, if there are
any, should be corrected; laws should be made
simpler, clearer, more effective; all the inter-
ests Of the State should be advanced; such
economy IS consistent with the honor, dignity
and credit of the State should be preserved; the
spirit OF industrial energy that has been en-
kindled in the minds of the people should be
famed into a blaze Of practical results.
With the advancement already made
stepping stone TO greater achievements, Ten
nessee IN the wisdom Of her laws, the fidelity Of
their execution, the economy of her admins
tration, the upbuilding and extension of her
development of her resources, should lead all
her sister states Of the South and stand second
TO none in the UUion.
FEDERAL RELATIONS.
While we may feel gratified at the manage
Inent OF the affairs OF our state Government, 1t
Is with deep regret and earnest solicitude that
we note that the prosperity of the masses of the
people of the State has not been in proportion
to what might reasonably be expected from the
fertility OF the SOIL the salubrty of the climate,
the abundance aud variety of the natural re-
sources, and the industry and enterprise Of her
sons.
The widespread discomfort on the part of
one class of our wealth producers-the agri-
culturists-of Tennessee, in common with those
of every other State in the Union, is most pat
ent and lamentable fact. II this discomfort
were confined to a special State or section, we
might seek for local causes, but its general
character proves conclusively that it is the
suit Of the unjust sectional and class legisla-
tion of the Federal Government for the last
thirty years.
The remedy for the evils which give just
cause for this discomfort is, OF course, in the
power of the Federal Government, and State
Legislatures are powerless to remove them.
Concerted and intelligent action is being
made by those who are suffering most in con-
sequence of these evils, and their efforts, so
long they lie within constitutional limits Of
State and Nation ami strive only for equal and
exact justice. should meet the approval Of
every patriotic citizen. Neither must the peO-
pie look to the State administration to provide
n remedy for the financial disturbances, result
Z ing from an unusual mOneyed stringency, that
have affected go disastrously all interests. The
Congress of the United States alone has the
tpower of regulating the money supply by
which commerce moves and prices gov
erned, and to this source must the people look
- for relief.
Inasmuch, however, as State legislation can
advance all the interests of the State, all wise
measures will meet my hearty approval.
FINANCES.
The reports of the Treasurer and Comptroller
have been carefully examined by the proper Of
jicials and speak for themselves, in most COM
mendable terms, as to the efficiency of the man
Rgement Of financial affairs, The past Legisla-
ture can look back upon work with more
qualification than the success of the assessment
law. Taxation is founded upon a more equta-
Bile basis, and although We have not reached
perfection in these laws, the increase in the
States revenues, the decrease in her loan
count, and her ability to meet her last semi an
nual interest without borrowing = dollar, are
sufficient evidences Of the practical worth of
this law. The wisdom OF the continued adher-
to the present policy is, am sure, clearly
apparent to your honorable bodies, and each
step you take in this direction will only be to
make more equal and effective the present
laws.
Looking to that end, recommend for your
consideration the practicabiity of the appoint
Inent of a State Board of Equalizers for the
purpose Of more evenly adjusting taxes among
the various counties Of the State. 1t is true
that we cannot hope to reach absolute perfec-
ton and equality in those laws, but profting
by the example of other States where such
boards are successful in accom- plishing the end
sought, we should not rest until all available
practical means have been tried. 1t is most
ardently hoped that the State increases in
years, so it may increase in strength, in taxable
property, in resources and revenues, and that
it may soon be able to form a sinking fund and
begin the payment of its bonded indebtedness.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
The duty of the state to educate her children
is no longer a debatable question. The best
thought of the time has been enlisted on the
subject, and all admit that education is the
only safeguard for free institutions. The
requirements of citizenship in complex a
Government as ours makes public education
a necessity.
Common sense teaches that government OF
the people requires the people to be educated,
rs the safety of the mass depends on the en-
Hghtenment and ySSFirtue OF the aggregated
units. The true La ocratic equality strives to
give every citizen - equal chance to self ad-
vancement and to the competition for the prizes
iu life. Tennessee needs the brain power of
the masses OF her people, and should not be
frugal in shis use of her means.
The public school system has been well laid
upon a sound basis of self-imposed local and
State taxation. The present law was enacted
in 1873, at a time when grave fears were enter
tanned about the financial condition Of the
State, when public sentiment was divided on
the feasibility Of establishing n public school
system, and many OF the best friends OF the
present law reg arded it rs experiment. Its
framework shows that it was designed TO lay a
foundation which future legislation might
build. This foundation was wisely laid. 1t
established a system for elementary instruction
and limited the school course to correspond to
the revenues provided for Its support. At this
time this was all that could be done. The de-
crease in the public debt, the increase in tax
able property, the more prosperous condition
of the States finances and the general voice of
the people invite to devote careful
thought to its further development.
In incorporated towns and cities, by
means of a municipal tax in addition to the
county and State taxes, the public school term
has been heightened to nine months in the year
and the course of study extended to meet the
lower classes Of q college or university.
In the country schools the term has not yet
reached over four months, upon an average,
and the course Of study is limited to the e,e-
mentary branches prescribed by law. The time
has come when public sentiment calls for an
extension of the public school system both in
length of term and course of study.
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