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

| = d-ners. competent teachers cannot Oe Sc
cured unless they are specially trained under
| the normal system. The efficiency Of our sys-
tenn has b7en very greatly aided in this direction
| by the Peabody institute. In the event, from
| any cause, That AID should be withdrawn from
| the state we would be absolutely without re
source for the proper preparation and training
OF teachers for the schools Of the state.
IL behooves the general assembly to remedy
one great deficiency in our schools by furnish
ing them With good, well trained teachers. who
understand the best and most approved meth
odS OF instruction. The question to be consid-
ered Is simply question Of trained teachers as
against those who are not trained. Profess
slonal training brings greater power to benefit
those Tor whom the labor is given, and the conf
penSatlOn must come in the greater good done
TO the children of the state under the work of
trained teachers. The trained mechanic re
ceives higher wages, because he can do better
work IN less time than tue cobbler. The physi-
clan is more patronized than the quack, be-
cause his remedies are intelligently admins
tered. Your consideration is respectfully asked
10 the matter and the proposition IN the resolu-
ton by the board of trustees of the university.
PENSIONS TO WIDOWS
In obedience to the act approved Dec. 90, 1890,
granting pensions 70 certain widows of confed-
crate soldiers, early in April last, blanks were
sent out TO the ordinaries of the counties of the
state. Calls were made upon these officials for
estimates of the number of widows likely to APP
ply for the benefits OF the act From the re-
plies received it was evident that there would
be many times the number for which the gen
eral assembly had made appropriation. Find
ing it impossible to adopt any rule by which
could select 800 from among the large number
OF claimants who are entitled under the act,
have held the amount appropriated until the
general assembly could supplement it, SO that
all may be paid.
Up to date about g. 400 applications have been
approved and filed for payment, and others are
being received every day. A number returned
for additional evidence or for the correction of
Irregularities 10 making up the proofs will be
Gan haaE ia dor Art and I agfi
mate that there viii be over 1000 widows who
will show themselves to be entitled to pensions
under the law.
1t is estimated that at least so per cent Of
these claimants are the widows of soldiers who
were killed in battle or died of diseases in
northern prisons and army hospitals With
very few exceptions they are poor and depend
ent. For twenty six years they have patiently
waited for the state to recognize their claims
upon its bounty, ana feel quite sure that it is
not necessary to urge the legislature to its duty
in this matter.
In this connection | desire to repeat the sug-
gestion made by my predecessor, and respect
fully recommend the establishment of pension
Office or department. The very heavy work re-
quired in carrying out the pension laws over
burdens the clerical force in the executive de-
partment. The laws and constitution limit the
amount for pay OF secretaries and clerk in this
ONCE and the force or number of secretaries
cannot be increased. If the pensions are to be
continued, separate department or bureau
should be organized and this work transferred
from the executive department proper. The
growth of the state, and the natural increase OF
labor incident to proper administration of
the laws which specially require the attention
OF the governor and his secretaries, render it a
matter of impoSSibility that the pension laws
should be kept as at present.
The examination OF the widows pension
claims which have been received, involved the
careful reading of about 600 affidaYits, and the
writing OF, perhaps, 1900 Endorsements and
letters of inquiry and explanation. To this
must be added the recording of 1000 claims,
with all the data necessary to fully identity the
claimants, to be followed by the work of issuing
as many warrants on the treasury, and sending
the parties their pensions.
RELIEF FROM PENALTIES.
An act to prescribe and fix penalty upon all
railroad companies in this state which fail to
pay to the state the taxes due by said railroad
companies by Oct. !, in each year, approved
Sept II, 1899 provides that if any railroad com
pany or companies, doing business in this state,
shall fail or neglect TO pay TO the state all the
taxes which such company or companies may
be due and owing to TIE state for taxes by Oct.
I in each year, then such railroad company or
companies shall incur penalty therefor of
$500 and the controller general shall imme-
diately issue execution against such company
or companies for the same and collect the
same
This action, taken by the state toward delin-
quent railroad companies. is i'll harmony with
the states policy adopted toward insurance
companies, requiring them to pay the taxes de-
manded of them by the state before July in
each year, or incur penalty therefor of $500.
fhe controller general has been diligent in
hunting up delinquents and enforcing the pen .
alties under the statutes. In most cases the
penalties have been promptly met, and the
money, in such instances, paid into the treasury.
When application has been made the com
pauies so assessed have had the money, for
feited for delay, returned to them under special
acts by the general assembly. During the last
session of the general assembly less than
eight bills were passed relieving railroad and in
surance companies of the penalties provided
under these laws.
cause l have declined, since your adjournment,
to consider applications for suspension of pay
ment Of penalties by other railroad companies,
because ! do not believe the policy of relief
consistent with the best interests of the people
of the state. If the law is a good one the pen
altes should be enforced. If the law is hurtful
and unjust it should be repealed. The con-
trOller general should not be required to en-
force penalties that the general assembly
promptly relieve. If Ignorance of the law is to
be pleaded as an excuse for its violation, our
whole penal code could be set aside in many
instances ana society thrown into anarchy and
msrule. If relief is wrong in the one case it is
equally wrong in the other, as the majesty Of
the law is the same in both.
Again, when the state employs expensive ma
chiuery for thu enforcement of its laws it ID but
fair that the state should have the benefit of
any advantage accruing from the penalty for
violation of them. IL will be seen that the CON
in giving relief to delinquent companies.
a railroad or an insurance company delays
payment of taxes until after the time provided
| by law. The general assembly is then asked to
| remit the penalty. To do this bill or resolu-
| ton is introduced to take the legal process of
| enactment, which, when signed and approved,
has cost the taxpayers of the state not less than
| 5000 Each company, therefore, relieved under
| the process now adopted taxes the people of
| the state that the company may recover $500
| rightfuly due the treasury of the state, under
the company's neglect or possible indifference
| of the laws of the state.
This condition of things is an especial hard
| ship upon the people of this state, when the
| law is violated and the penalty forfeited by a
company whose stock is not owned by citizens
| of Georgia.
The laws fixing these penalties should be en-
| forced or the controller should be relieved OF
his duties in the matter, if the penalties are to
| be uniformally RENTED.
DIRECT TAX.
The attention of the general assembly is called
to an act of congress approved March 2 1891. 'to
collect and pay to the several states aud terri
tories and the District OF Columbia all moneys
| collected under the direct tax levied by the act
| of congress approved Aug. ), 1861
This act of congress levied and apportioned
| among the inhabitants of the several states and
| territories direct tax of 100000 600 and pro-
| was passed in conformity with clause 3, Sec
| ton , article | of the constitution.
! Under this act and amendments thereto, sub
| seOuently enacted, collections were made from
individuals residing in various states. In other
| states payments were assumed by the states,
| less IS per cent. allowed them thereon, by law
| to cover the expense of collection AMI losses in
| making the same.
| The amount of tax imposed, in this way, upon
! the state of Georgia, was 1854, 1867 80.