The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-10-26
nESSACEOF THE GOVERNOR.
The Recent Financial Scare the First
Topic Taken Up.

the Blame on the Tariff Policy-Last
Years Tax Returns in the State.
promptness in Paying the Salaries
Of Teachers Urged-A Plea For a
state Reformatory.
Atlanta, Ca, Oct. 25.-Speaker Atkin-
ann was confined to his room in the Kim
hall House by a sudden attack of sick
ness to-day and the House was called to
order by Speaker Pro Tenn, Boifeuillet, of
Bib county.
President Clay was on hand in the Sen
ate and did the honors there. Gov.
Northen's annual message was heard with
close attention. Following is it's text:
To the Senate and House of Representa-
tiyes: Since your adjournment, something
iaes than one year ago. the people of this
state. together with the people of our
common country, have suffered from the eff
fprts of an unusual and long continued finan-
cial stringency
II such money panics can occur when our
harvests are abundant, and no legitimate
causes are easily apparent, 1t behooves the
representatives OF the people to inquire into
the conditions that make them possible.
Under such conditions there must be in our
midst some power, somewhere, able to para
I'VE and destroy, at WILL the common interest
and the common good.
not only be inquired into and removed, but it
should be absolutely destroyed. No condi-
lions of class can justify the growth of
power within the government greater than
the peOple who make the government.
Without reference to the matters which
have as vet, claimed the attention of our
national congress. IN extraordinary session,
as being beyond the pale of state authority,
deem it proper to say to you that in my can
did Judgment, the most, if not all the ills that
affect the country to-day, come to us, directly
or indirectly from the dangerous and PERM
cious policy of the general COVE rnment
known as protection The time has come in
the history of our people when this policy
must be rebuked, as contrary to the spirit of
free government, and not authorized by the
organic law that made the American sys-
TEN.
Adopted at the beginning for revenue, it ad-
vanCed to the guardianship of our infant in
dustries. until it has finally grown into a
monster power producing combinations
trusts and monopolies that override the
rights of the common people, while they dare
dictate the policy of the government in their
own interest, and against the interest of the
people.
tbs gratifying to know that the political
party now in power, stands committed to re-
peal its resultant, unconstitutional tax which
destroys the equality Of right among citizens,
and builds system of centralized govern
ment.
Not content with denying the
rights of the individual in trade,
vanced to the further denial of the rights of
the states in their use of money as estab-
ltShed before the adoption of the constitution
of the United States and fully recognized, au-
thOrized and guaranteed in that fundamental
law Of our system.
1t is equally gratifying to know that the
present federal congress is pledged to repeal
this protected monopoly of money also, and
restore to the states the opportunity for
growth and development commensurate with
their resources and their unrestrained energy
and will.
No tax was ever imposed by the federal
government upon the issues of state banks
until the necessities of war demanded the
revenue. This tax was levied then, first as
upon manufacturers. for revenue, and, finally
for protection to our national infant financial
industries by prohibiting the rights of the
states in money.
The authority extended by the national gov
eminent to certain citizens TO invest their
money in government bonds; deposit them
with the United States treasurer; receive a
bank charter and have issued 90 per cent. of
their face value in bills for circulation was not
enough to guarantee the success of money
monopoly, if state banks of issue were toll
Grated by the general government There
fore, state banks of issue ueededto be sup
pressed and monopoly created for national
currency under protection by the government.
The tax was levied, the rights Of state banks
to issue bills under state authority was de-
Stroyed and protected money monopoly now
threatens, more than all else, the liberties Of
the people.
Little if any revenue was ever collected on
state issue, and yet thu majority Of the SUI
prone court of the United States held that it
was not within their jurisdiction to protect
state banks against this wholesale slaughter
saying further, such banks must look alone to
congress for relief.
Congress is now in session, and to congress
the states must appeal for an equal chance
against protected monopoly to prevent un-
called for panicS and the consequent distress
OF the people
lot, e
such action by congress as Is guaranteed by
the democratic platform, such legislation as
will charter state banks of issue, upon such
safe conditions without federal interference
or control, as will secure their credit beyond
question and furnish to the bill-holderS abso-
Lutte and perfect protection.
When this Is done our people will get money
at fair rate of interest when they need it.
and the states will furnish an elastic currency
that Will expand and contract as our business
needs demand; prices of products will not
be reduced because of scarcity of money, and
congestion and contraction viii be an impOS-
sibility under our financial system.
BY Independent state action solvent county,
state and municipal, as well as national bonds
ana cash resources can be used with perfect
security for the redemption of state bank
bills. In this way our financial basis will be
broadened and, with the protection of the
government removed from monOpolteS,
whether in manufactures or money, we will
have sound and abundant money for the state
ana prosperity and content for the citizen.
TAX RETURNS.
For many Successive years the property
o. this state has steadily advanced in value,
until the past year.
In 1892 the property of all kinds returned
Ior taxation in this state amounted to S463 753,-
54. The returns for the past year amount, in
The aggregate, to S452 go 600, making de-
crease amounting to about Sl2 900 900, the first
decrease in tax values since the war.
How much of this falling off can be attrib-
uled TO the severe financial crisis through
winch we have passed, and how much to the
repeal OF the law providing for the equaliza-
tIol OF tax returns, leave for your judgment
10 determine. The condition is worthy of
your consideration certainly, when 1t Is
known that not only the tax values have
fallen of Sl2, 900 600, bu5 that the acreage Of
me state has shrunk 554 ,623 acres quite
lWJ square miles.
II IS quite evident that our system of taxa
. uoh Is at fault Justice to the citizen de-
mandS a remedy
Inc expenses of the government remaining
.ue same, the larger the tax returns the less
IN, we rate the greater the lack Of uniformity in
~ IetuFnS, the greater the inequality OF
oqIIen imposed by the rate.
q, me state IS growing in its charities, its
,,lst,uuons for development and It's educa-
ToltI interests TO meet these demands we
l ~ nave not only corresponding increase
~ ~ material wealth. but just and uniform re-
IN vi he property to be taxed.
ID a !u4I and fair return of property means a
gladly iEdorse
EDUCATION.
Inc falling of in tax values Just noted. will
ITouce the amount contemplated by your ap
uptldtlon TO the school fund of the state
ss5NV.Hlhg more than SS5 600. If the schools
t@ullIued I'VE months, as heretofore, an