Birmingham age-herald., 1894-12-07
GOVERNOR OATES, MESSAGE.

GOVERNOR OATES, MESSAGE.
 Governor Oates has sent his first message to the General Assembly. He plunges at once into the financial situation, and his words ring true for the maintenance of the States credit. The Governor says the State is now borrowing money and paying 6per cent interest, and that the Legisla- ture should devise plan by which the revenue of tbe State will fully meet it's necessities. The credit Of the State has always been our pride. He advises that the tax rate be increased half mill, with the proviso that the Governor can suspend it's operation if the revenues increase suffi- ciently to do without 1t. He urges an iln- provement in the method of assessing taxes. The masses of the people list their property honestly, but Shrewd spectators manage 10 evade the payment of taxes. The cash value of the property is the true criterion. All lands should be classified as to valuation. There should be at least five or more grades and none less than S1 an acre. If taxation is capitalized the State will have sufficient revenue without in- creasing the tax rate. He recommends the appointment of a State Board of Assess ment and also county boards. He thinks higher license might be required for the privilege of selling liquors, both whole sale and retail, as well as an ad valorem tax per keg and per barrel. Native wines should be exempt from special license.
 The Governor recommends higher license on gaming tables, cigarettes, novels, etc. also license on all corpora tions; also the taxation of solvent credits; succession tax; an appropriation for an exhibit from the State at the Atlanta Ex- position; small appropriation for monu- ments at Gettysburg and Chickamauga; County Boards of Examiners of Confeder- ate veterans entitled to a pension.
 In regard to the convict system the Gov ernor says that under the present system the convicts will soon become a source of great expense-to the State, which must not De permitted. He thinks tayorably of the suggestion of the AGE HERALD that the university coal lands on the Warrior might be worked on State account. On this point he says:
 It has been suggested that the State lease coal lands from the university for period of years, agreeing to pay that institution a req sonable royalty upon each ton of coal taken from its lands, and work a portion of the able bodied State conyicts in q mine to be opened thereon and sell the coal on State account. I think that the suggestion is well worthy of serious consideration, and therefore reeom- mend that you investigate it thoroughly and determine upon it's practicability. It is im- possible to work convicts at any thing without bringing them in competition with free labor. The greater reason why they should not be concentrated in any given locality as they have been under the lease system, is tine detri ment that results to society therefrom in that locality. The plan of taking all the convicts from the mines and employing them upon the State farm Is impracticable. Should the State buy machinery and put them to manufactur- ing the want of skill of the conviots to oper- ate 1t would make that venture failure.
 The Governor adv ses increasing the ju. dical circuits to twenty, and looks upon more courts as preventative of lynching. He thinks the office of Chancellor could then be abolished. The expense of feeding prisoners last year was $1O5, ,000, and the salaries of the additional judges would be more than saved in the reduction of the jail fees. The judge of each circuit should have an official stenographic reporter. He thinks the summoning of petitjury to try civil cases could be dispensed with.
 The Governor is of the opinion that the only way to stop the carrying of concealed weapons is to make the offense felony.
 He recommends that the August election be changed to November.
 In regard to contest law, the Governor makes this bold declarations: "Our election law should be so amended as to provide for a contest of the election or Governor and other State officers" He suggests several minor amendments to the present election law.
 He advises that banking law be passed in view of the possibility of the repeal of the 10 per cent tax. Our usury laws are inefficient, and should be repealed or changed.
 He calls attention to the fact that the regulation of freight rates can be done only by the Interstate Commerce Commission, and that the State Commission has only police power.
 He suggests that the law be amended so as to authorize the Governor to reorganize the State regiments, aud wants the appro- priations for military continued.
 The Governor closes by intimating that the State should provide an executive man. sion for its Governor-''Dot for me, but for my successor"
 The message as | whole is remark ably able, clear and pointed. It marks Gov ernor Oates as a big, brainy, brave man. The reader can learn more from its perusal about State affairs than he can from read ing the proceedings of the Legislature for whole week.
 ASSESSMENT OF TAXES.
 Tho Stafe Eennte is eupaoed in diacuseino