The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-07-09
The Governor's Message.

/ The message OF the governor, Inc Au''
text Of which we publish this morning, IS
plain and strsightfor statement OF
public affairs and the condition OF the pub
lie institutions of the state, together Win
such comments and recommendations as
seem to be appropriate and wise and
hlch. no doubt, will aid the legislature IN
it's work
At the outset attention is called 70 Tue
necessity for a general act conveying 10 tue
general government jurisdiction over pup
lie building sites. At present, whenever
federal building is to be erected q special
act of the legislature is needed. These spe-
cial acts occupy the time Of the legislature
and therefore are al unnecessary burden 70
the taxpayers. In this connection the gov
ernor might have suggested that the time OF
the legislature is taken up with
great many other special acts that
could Just as we'll as not
be covered by a general statute. The
MORNING News has time and time again
called attention to the fact there should be
general laws that would obyiate the neces-
sity for spending so much time upon bills
which apply TO only one town, township or
county, or 30 one company or corporation.
! There is a chance for a reform IN this mat
ter that would lessen the cost Of the legls-
lature thousands of dollars annually.
What the governor says of the necessity
for a training school for teachers is true.
The state needs a normal school The conf
mon schools cannot be brought up TO high
standard, however muoh money is speat
upon them, unless men and women who are
qualified to teach are placed in charge of
them Aud good teachers cannot be OBJ
tanned by merely Offering attractive sal
aries. Those who are intrusted With the
schools should be fitted for their work by a
system OF training.
The governor thinks that the claims OF
the widows of war veterans, for whom the
state now provides a pension, should re-
ceive more attention. There are about
1900 OF these widows, and the clerical force
of the executive department is not sufficient
to discharge properly the duties which their
claims impose upon it. The recommenda-
ton that the force be increased is, nc doubt,
a wise one
The governor wants to know what wis
dom there is in the law which imposes pen
alties on corporations and companies, since
it is SO seldom enforced 1t is a burden
rather than benefit to the state, because,
as a rule, the legislature sets aside the pen
altles on the appeal Of the delinquents. The
state loses the penalties and is put to the
expense of remisting them. AS the
governor suggests, here is chance for
reform.
The military organizations Of the state
have the good will of the governor. He is
proud of them, and believes that those of
no other state are superior to them. And he
seeks TO impress upon the legislature that it
is not right that the military companies,
which are required to respond to the call of
the state whenever the property and lives
of citizens are in danger, should be com
PEELED to bear the expenses of their organi-
tions. He thinks, and rightly too, that the
state should be more liberal in dealing with
| them.
And the railroads receive attention from
the governor. They evade, it seems, the
rates fixed by the railroad commission, and
| he suggests that they be called to account.
! No doubt the legislature will be quick TO
respond TO this suggestion, but it will not be
an easy matter TO frame laws that will meet
all the complaints that shippers make
But the thing that appears to interest the
governor the most is the penltentiarv
system. He does not think it is al excel
lent one. but the legislature has not sue
ceeded in finding better one. He Is doing
what he can to rid it of some of its worst
features, and he suggests that the legsla-
ture open the way for other reforms AT
present the System does not do much to-
ward preventing crime or reforming
criminals. In fact, many of tue convict.
are made more depraved by their terms OF
imprisonment, because they are brought
into close contact with the very
worst criminals in the convict camps
The sexes have been separated through the
efforts Of the governor, and he would like K
see the convicts graded that is, the worst
criminals kept apart from those guilty of tn,
lesser crimes There is no doubt that thi.
recommendation should be acted upor
promptly and favorably, and reformatory
school ought to be established for the beneti
of those who are capable of being reformed
The truth is the state is not as solicitous 70
the welfare Of its oonvlcts as it should be
a reform which the governor urges wit
considerable force relates to the delay il
administering the criminal laws. PERSON.
charged with crime are often kept waiting
in the county jails so long for their trial
that they become invalids, and whel
they reach the convict camps ar
physical wrecks. The delays In crimina
trials are heavy burden to the taxpayers
The foes Of Jail officers and court officers &C
cumulate rapidly and make large tax
rate a necessity. The legislature shoul
certainly so amend the laws that person
accused of crime would have their case
disposed of as speedily as possible.
Other matters touched upon in the mes
sage are treated forcibly and with judg
ment.