The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1893-11-01
GOVERNOR AOR7HE~S MESSAGE.


the unusual and long continued financial
stringency, which the people OF this
State, in common with the people OF the
whole country, have suffered. He asserts
that all the ills that affect the country
today come to us, directly or indirectly
from 'the dangerous and perniclous
policy of the general government known
as protection" The time has come, he
urges, when this policy must be rebuked,
and the democratic party will abolish it.
The governor favors the repeal OF the
state bank tax, and recommends that the
Legislature, in anticipation OF s1ch action
nv congress, enact such a law as will
charter state banks at issue, upon such
conditions, without federal interference
or control. as will secure their credit
beyond question and furnish to the bill
holders absolute and perfect protection.
The message also calls attention to the
serious falling off in tax returns this
wear. the result of faulty system, and
recommends legislation looking to just
and uniform return of the property to be
taxed.
The next topic in the message was ed
ucation. The governor emphasizes the
fact that the falling off in tax values will
reduce the school fund about $4,000,
which deficit he recommends be met by
a special tax levy, He recommends that
the salaries of teachers be paid quarterly
and that the salaries be increased. He
gives good report of the work of the
teachers institutes and recommends a
thorough system of moral training.
Considerable space is devoted to the
question of a state reformatory for juve-
nile offenders and its establishment
strongly recommended. The governor
very truly says that the penitentiarY and
convict camps of the state are training
schools for criminals, and bis showing
that there is one child of ten years, two
of IL, fifteen of II, eighty of Is and 141
Oh ~ VI lCOS III 1llOhNANhNS OAA OhSoS
schools ought to be enough to startle the
legislation and the people. The attend
ance on these schools of crime is about
as large as that on the State University.
Who shall say that the good done by one
institution is not offset by the teachers
Of the other? 1t is not enough that the
state punish those who violate its laws.
The governor is entirely right in believ-
ing that the duty of the state extends
further-that it should undertake to re-
form and make good citizens Of unfortu-
nate youths who by poverty and vicious
surroundings have been given bent to-
ward crime. The experience of other
states proves that the expense of reform
atory institutions is more than repaid by
the results attained.
The governor urges consideration of
the special message sent in at the first
sess, on calling attention To the manage
meat and control of county chain gangs,
wherein there is great need of reform.
He contends that the county convicts
should receive from the state the super
attendance given conycts hired to the
essees of the penitentiary.
Referring to the penitentiary, the gov
ernor finds that the supervision and con-
troll by the lessees is exercised with due
and full regard to the terms of the con-
tract with the state, and the executive
has had no trouble in the enforcement Of
the law and the rules regulating the
control OF prisoners.
He recommends a revision of the penal
lar tie state with the view of adjust
ing re penalty to the crime.
subject of the jury system the
90, rnor dwells on the evil of jury ex
emptions, and recommends legislation
that will correct this evil, and place the
burden and service equally on all citizens
competent for Jury duty.
Prominence is given in the message to
the question of state board of health
and its establishment is urgently and
earnestly recommended.
Tie message calls attention TO the af
fairs of the Western and Atlantic rail.
road. and the admirable report submitted
by Hon. w. A. Little, the special attor
ney of the state.
Reference is also made is this counec.
ton to an applics ton by the legislature
of the state of Ohio for the purchase OF
the historic railroad engine known as the
General, -" to be used as monument
to the bravery of the men known as the