The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1891-02-13
The Last Communication on
State Affairs by the Re-
firing Governor.
HIS ADMINISTRATION REVIEWED.
Numerous Subjects Discussed and
A Number Of Recommend
ations Made.

of the Forty sixth General Assembly OF the
State of Tennessee-Gentlemen: Tennessee has
achieved wonderful <zccess in material growth
in the past quarter century. XSen 'NSrim-vis-
aged war had smoothed its wrinkled front" 1t
left naught but wasted fields and devastated
homes. Desolation reigned supreme, and there
was nothing left but the soil and the determi-
nation Of a people decimated In numbers but
strong in purpose to retrieve their lost fortunes
The credit of the State was ruined, its treasury
empty, its school-houses in ashes, and all its in
situations in chaotic condition. For years our
people have struggled to restore prosperity to
the commonW ealth, to rebuild its waste places
and start ii again upon the road to fortune.
When came into the executive Office in 1887,
found our finances in the severe straits incident
70 the incomplete processes of readj ustment
that had been set on foot and with a seemingly
inadequate revenue; but the plan,of funding has
been resolutely carried to practical completion,
every obligation has been met punctually, and
public confidence in the States perfect ability
TO meet every demand has been completely es-
tsblished. The necessity for negotiating loans
has been gradually diminished until at the be-
ginning of my second term 1 felt justified in
predicting to your predecessors that the
achievements of the few preceding years fore
Swallowed the possibility that two years more
would see Tennessee emancipated from the
thralldom of unweildy obligations. How well
that prediction has been verified is found in the
happy announcement 1 now make that this
present hour witnesses for the first time since
the debt was funded the ability of the State to
meet its semi annual interest without the ne
cessity of borrowing dollar. While successive
Legislatures and officials have labored wisely
and earnestly to meet this end, candor and JUS
tice compel me to say that its thus early ac-
complishment is due to the economic
wisdom, energy and watchfulness of our
present Comptroller, Hon. j. w. Allen, and to
the financial ability of our exceellnt Treasurer,
Hon. NJ. T. House. The figures of their reports
tell the tale. Assessments were never before
managed with more ability, and collections
were never enforced so rigidly. The law has
been splendidly executed to the letter, and L
hardship has resulted anywhere it is due to
rigorous laws and not to the officers sworn to
their faithful execution An increase in the
revenues of above 100000, and a delinquency
of only $500 in an assessment of millions, Is
the measure of the superior efficiency employed
snd tells in trumpet tones how well these faith
full officials have served their people. One of
them has acquired the anomalous reputation
of being the most liberal man with his own
means and the most careful with the States
money ever known in her capitol.
During the past two years there has been an
increase in receipts of S4I6, 70, and in the
-four years an increase of $129, 100000 in taxable
property. This increase is not for one year
alone-it comes to stay and to afford a perpet-
tual source of revenue and if the methods and
energies now being used are continued, the day
is not distant when Tennessee VIII be without
3 debt. 1t will be observed also that our loan
account Is decreased $243,O0c and that the
enues now in sight will retire the balance ow-
ing of $3.50, 10, and the probability is that the
small loan to be negotiated next July Will be
the last. The reports OF the financial officers
Ars 90 full and explicit, and abound in such
wholesome suggestions to your honorable
bodies that deem 1t unnecessary to recapitu-
ate further. l would earnestly recommend
{ iat the policies now being pursued, yielding as
they do so richly in results, be not disturbed,
! II 9TH nv the endorsement of the
representatives of the people L need
not admonish your honorable bodies that the
tri' ulations through which we have reached
sight OF safe harbor is a warning to strict econ
omy. ! shoUId feel that the sweetest fruits of
all the effort and priyations OF the past would
be lost if the present policies not prosecuted
until the foundations Of a sinking fund are Sc
curely made for the eXtinguishment of the
principal of the debt. Touching the matter
and manner OF the collection of revenues, we
seem to be upon better road than we have
ever Travelled. Exactly equal assessment laws
exist only ideally. IOn cannot hope to adjust
every species of property TO its precise relative
value, and neither can you stif1e the voice of
the grumbler. You cannot expect to have all
the assessors read the laws alike, nor collectors
70 work with equal energy. Approximate per-
lection only Is possible and when the results re-
veal such approximation, IL would seem to be
wise to rest there.
THE PENITENTIARY.
The recent destruction by fire of the work
shops at the main prison opens the way to a
contamination demanded by every considera-
alton. i. e., the removal OF the penitentary out
side the limits of the city of Nashville. The
only item in the consideration that Is suscepti-
bic to argument Is that OF expense, and the
Weighty reasons that will be pressed upon your
attention by wise and patriotic men and YSmen
would emphasize with my most emph5& en-
dorsement. The petition and argumenbH the
Commercial Club OF this city, assigning unan-
swerable reasons for the removal particularly
commend to your attention.
The facility with which the extraordinary
expenditures incurred in building our new
Rsvlums were met and the Bank OF Tennessee
obligations were taken up, amounting together
10 above a 81, 100000, at a time when revenues
bore small proportion to expenditures, fur
nishes safe assurance that this work may be
undertaken at this more favorable jUncture
without jeopardizing the credit cf the State
The conditions of the lease and the interests Of
the lessees Will not permit unnecessary delay
in rebuilding, and whatever provision is made,
haste in building must be prime consideration.
If conyicts are to be employed in the work
contract outside of the lease must be made
with the lessees. The labor Of cOnvicts does
not now belong to the State, but doubt rot the
interests of the lessees being so largely involved
they will be found ready to make any reasona-
bic contract to release a number of convicts to
the State for the rougher work of this under
taking.
In my opinion LueEG Is nOb duOLnSI luLSIbsI
with which your honorable bodies are charged
that appeal so gravely TO your attention as that
of prison management. Fifteen hundred of
our fellow creatures are immured there, and
thousands of hearts are bleeding and breakin G
for them. / have sought by all means that
have exerted to impress upon its managers and
its inmates the idea of reformation. 1t should
not be a place of punishment alone, but place
of reclamation. If the modern system of pa
roles and rewards for good conduct was inau-
Rurated here it would work great good to the
convicts. to society and to the State. l earn
estly recommend that you Peniteutiary Com
mittees make inquiry into this matter and set
on foot WELL devised methods looking to refor-
nation and reclamation. desire to say in
this connection that the prisons have been
excellently managed. The wonderful de-
crease in the mortality record speaks elo-
uuently in praise Of the officials and the
lessees and the general universal improvement
in morals, resulting in better conduct, better
iscipline, better work, fewer escapes, fewerd
mutinies, less trouble and better results gener-
allv, furnish conclusive evidences of what in
fnitely better results would follow a well-con-
adhered system. Fifteen hundred wretched hu-
man beings appeal to You in their humili alton
and the tears and anguish of thousands OF our
women and children, our friends and neig hbors
and kindred piteously beseech you. In the
name of God and humanity have sought to do
nv duty mereifuly towards my unfortunate
fellow man, and have felt that have had no
higher obligation upon me than to listen
patiently to the appeals of their friends, their
,,o,Iers and wives and children, and to afford