The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-10-28
GOV. NORTHEN'S MESSAGE
FULL Text OF TIE DOCUMENT
SENT TO The LIZ GISLATURE.

Refunding of the Direct Tax-Mtli-
tsry a ffairs-Pen sioning OF Widows.
OF Confederate Soldiers-The Public
Property-Stste Finances.
ATLANTA, GA. Oct. 27.-Following is
the tull text of the message sent 60 the
legislature by Gov. Northsn to-day:
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,
ATLANTA. GA, Oct. p. 1892. (
To the Senate and House of Representatives:
The general as emily of 1891 proposed four
amendments to the constitution Of the state, to-
wit
An amendment TO provide for annual sessions
Of the general assembly.
An amendment to Tx the length Of the ses-
SONS of the general assembly.
An amendment 70 provide for the first and
second reading of local bills and railroad and
An amendment TO confer upon the secretary
Of state authority to issue charters for
banks. insurance, railroad. canal, navigation,
express and telegraph companies.
THESE proposed amendments were all sdver-
tised as the law directed. aud voted upon at the
last general election. A return and consoida-
ton Of the votes on these amendments. as made
to me by the secretary of state, shows tnat
ratification" received majority Of the quail
fed electors voting thereonat said general cleo
ton.
Under the directions of the general assembly,
EXPRESSED IN the act approved Oct. u, 1891, the
direct tax levied by the federal government in
1851 and refunded to the several states. is now
being distributed TO proper claimants The
amount r-fllnued to Georgia was S53 03l o. OF
this S53,937 50 has been paid to / 322 claimants;
and $4,000 90 remains yet to be distributed
There are now under consideration ABOUT 100
claims and il is probable that at the end OF the
time allowed for the distribution six years
from March 2 1891, several thousand dollars
will remain unclaimed in the treasury of the
state
MILITARY AFFAIRS.
Under the act of 1891 permanent site for
military encampment was established near the
city Of Griffin. In order to secure the location
Of the permanent camp the citizens Of Griffin
donated to the state 105 acres of valuable land
built thereon necessary mess halls. XII chens
hospitals, bath HOUSES stables, etc, and Fl ted
up the necessary water supply and electric light
apparatus free of cost to the state.
The location is upon high and healthy ground
and the supply OF pure water is ample for all
s purposes. 1t is centrally located and OF
easy access from all parts of the state
During the months OF May, June and July the
volunteer organizations of The state held their
second annual encampment The accommoda-
lions Of the camp not being ample for all the
military at one time, the forces were divided
into detachments and occupied the camp in sue
cession. During the first week, commencing
May "a, 1892 the First AID Fourth regiments Of
infantry went into camp; other troops follow
ing until nearly all the organizations par
tcpated.
During the encampment four regiments OF in.
fsutry, three battalions OF infantry, one regi-
lnent and one battalion OF cavalry and two bat
teries OF artillery were In camp numbering in
the aggregate about !, 800 rank and file and $40
officers.
The reports of the adjutsnt and inspector
general, the quartermaster general, as we'll as
that or Capt. Lewis Smith OF the United States
army detailed to Inspect aud report upon the
encampment), all show that the results OF the
work by the volu teer forces of the state were
creditable and satisfactory.
When we consider that only one week in the
year is devoted exclusively TO strict military
training and discipline the results are crafty
ing. Yet much remains TO be done to render
our state forces proficient and thoroughly
versed in the duties of the soldier.
The total expenses of the encsmpmeut as
shown by the report of Col A. J. West, the eff
cent quartermaster general, amounted to $19,
~ 90 This sum used in paying for the
transportation Of the troops TO and from the
camp. for subsistence, medical SUPP lies, camp
equpage, freight and incidental expenses of
the encampment. The vouchers for the dis
blrsemeuts made ara of file in the executive de
partments and confirm the official report OF
the Uuartermaster general
The absolute necessity for an efficient and
thoroughly organized military in the state,
subject to orders OF the authorities in case Of
threatened invasion or armed resistance to the
civil powers, must be conceded. It is one Of
the first duties Of the state to organize and
properly MAINTAIN her volunteer troops. ami
not entirely rely upon the patriotic sacrifices
Of those who make mp these companies TO hold
themselves in constant readiness to 20 at a mo-
H Inents notice TO defend the life or property Of
citizens ... .. .-... 3d.
frequent demands have been and will con
Il tnue to be made for the aid Of the military to
support the civil authorities in preserving order
aud preventing mob violence. The recent ex-
periences in Other states in gueug armed nohs
which openly deted the civil powers should teach
4 us that the peace and safety of the common
Il wealth demands we'll organized and efficient
81 military force-one which may be relied upon in
any emergency to protect the honor aud dignity
81 Of the state. ....
The presence of such power has very W de
aud salutaTy influence and prevents outbreaks
snd consequent bloodshed Il feel 1t to be my
duty to urAe upon TIE general as emily the
81 great Importance Of properly maintain z the
volunteer forces Members of these organiza-
tons lose. necessarily, much time in attending
10 the duties Of the serv &c and incur considera-
N HE expense in keeping up their companies
specially is this the case when they go into EN-
81 calhpnent or respond to the call OF the execu-
81 1--we in the service OF the state
The present rate OF appropriation to the
military is less than SO per capita per annum.
~ The state could well afford to double the ap-
pIopristion for the security Of the life and prop
~ eTIy OF ats citizens The amount would be
IN re than returned TO the taxpayers in the
9ecur ty it would throw around their property.
Il nov literal the state ought, at least. TO be
'z# JUST TO her volunteer forces.
The expenses of the enoampment for 1891 ex-
ceeded the appropriation aud an outsta ding
qeot remains unpaid, amounting to St,94S ID.
Ih're is enough of the fund of 1892 undrawn to
meet this debt but in the orinion of the attor.
ney general, II cannot be used for this purpose
WI bout special authority of the legislature |
recommend that such authority be granted,
.lat the accounts may be settled without fur
Their delay.
I# WIDOWS PENSIONS
Ina law providing pensions to the widows Of
ConedeI ate soldiers has been carried out as far
~ the amount set apart for that purpose per-
unUed At the time the appropriation was made
uy the last genera assembly, about $500 wild
gHs Iad filed claims for pensions under the
B 1% and 1t was then estimated that 1000 would
Ilahe the necessary proofs To meet these
: yleInis the appropriation was fxed at 800 900.
M DuFto !, last, pss, meots were begun AM con
Nuueo until 1000 were paid pensions for the
& ear end n : Feb 10, 1892. Before the end of
ne hrst pension year, however, T., 122 claims had
cen Received and approved. Eighty four OF
S .lese Claimants died before payments began, and
~ mere was no authority under the law to pay
# u9 amount to the heirs the money appropri-
seso was paid TO the 1000 living applicants in
we order IN which cir claims hal been re-
s'ed. III entire sum appropriated was ex-
sted before all surviving claimants we're
Iad and thirty eight of them who complied
sIlh the law in time, and whose claims were
.Irov d. could OF be paid for want of funds.
, uere saould b. a special appropriation to meet
gHe Just Claims he law pensions confed- |
ate widows upon certain condi ions These
1'I tully compiled with the law aud q ed claims
s1lch werA duly approved, but the claimant
..ed TO receive the amount, only because the
mate fixed by the legislature was not suffi- |
.N* vent to paY them