Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-11-13
THE GOVERNORS MESSAGE.

The biannual message of Gov. VIM. c.
Oates to the general assembly of Ala
bama, is an able and comprehensive state
paper While considerably longer than
such papers usually are it makes inter-
esting reading. The Governor deals with
number of questions such of which is
of Importance and in proportion as they
are important he deals with each sub
Ject touched upon.
He has no trouble in showing that he
has managed the affairs of state during
his term of office in an economical, busi-
ness and statesmanlike manner.
The amount and condition of the bond
ed indebtedness of the state is set out
plainly and in full in the message and
some wise suggestions as to the best
plan to be adopted in handling the same
in tho future are made.
1t is shown that during his term Gov.
Oates has been successful in considerably
reducing the amount of the nearly $780,
900 deficiency with which he was con-
fronted upon assuming the duties of the
Office. This, with only a slight raise in
the tax rate, when we consider that
his two years Of office have extended
over two very hard years financially,
makes good showing and speaks very
favorably for the evident economy and
good business judgment the Governor
has applied in the management of the
financial affairs of the state.
His recommended ton that the tax rate
be not raised, but that more perfect
system of securing the assessments of
property for taxation will certainly meet
with hearty response from the people,
The statement of the Governor in his
message that with our present rate of
taxation and more perfect and business
like method of procuring assessments of
property for taxation. coupled with con-
tinued economy, should result in wiping
out the remainder of the deficiency with
in two more years is indeed encouraging
end should prove a most powerful incen-
tive to the Legislature now in session to
take the necessary steps to remedy the
defects in our laws regarding the assess
ment of property for taxation
The message contains a fairly good re-
port of all Of our state institutions, with
the possible exception of the State uni
versity. Especially encouraging is the
showing made concerning the working of
our state convicts and the strides that
are being made looking to the final
abandonment of the lease system. The
State Herald only regrets that we have
not reached as yet the point where the
Governor would have felt authorized to
recommend the prompt and total aban-
donment of that system of dealing with
the states criminals.
The recommendation that the county
convict system be abolished is good one.
and few remarks along In that part
of the message evidences the fact that
the Governor has a pretty good idea of
some of the glaring impositions that are
in many instances practiced upon county
convicts in the way of cost bills
The message pays high, and, of course,
deserved tribute to the different state
officers who have been associated with
the Governor in the administration of the
affairs of the state during his term of
office.
His recommendation that additional
legislation looking to the prevention of
lynching be enacted is strongly stated
and fortified by good, sound reasoning,
all of which we heartily indorse with the
single exception of the recommendation
that a particular penalty be added--the
suggestion of penalty that should under
no consideration find a place on the
mendation that should not have found it's
way into the message of the Governor of
the great state of Alabama.
The railroad commission comes in for
nice compliment eyidencing the fact that