The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-11-15
FAVOR SLIcING SCHOOL FUND.
GOV. GAMBLER TO RECOMMEND A
DECREASE OF S4O0,O0O.

special Message to THIS hnd ana L
50 for n Revision CT the Pension
List to BE Sent to the Legislature.
Decision Results From "A Confer
encc With Prominent Citizens of
the state-Goy. Gambler EmDha-
sized His Position in the Matter.
Atlanta, Ca, Nov. 14.-Gov. Gambler will
send special message to the legislature
within the next few days recommending
a decrease of 100000 in the common school
fund and a revision of the pension list
that will reduce the pensions to an indi-
gent basis and thereby cut down the
amount now necessary to meet the claims
which amount in the aggregate 10 $3.50, 900
annually
The Governor announced his determine
ton to make these recommendations at
a conference of legislators. state officials
and prominent citizens held at the ex-
ecutive mansion tonight. The conference
was called by Gov Gambler several days
ago to consider the condition of the
states finances. There were in attendance
the presiding officers of both branches of
the general assembly, the chairman of
the finance committee and appropriations
committee of the Senate, the chairmen of
the ways and means and appropriations
committee of the House, the chairmen of
the pension education and penitentiary
committees of both houses, besides a
number of leaders, including Blaock of
Fayette and Swift of Ebert
The "Reformers" of the last legislature,
State Treasurer Speer Controller Wright,
were there also, together with citizens in
part as follows: Capt. T. J. Davis of AL
bany, Col. N. ]. Hammond of Atlanta,
ex-Gov. w. J. Northen, ex-Gov. Mcdaniel,
Hon. j. NJ. Smith of Oglethorpe county.
Col. J. II. Estill of Savannah Judge c. c.
Kibber of Griffin, Hon. Ed Brown of Ath-
ems, Judge Fife of Gainesville, Col f.
p. Howell of Atlanta Hon. F. c.. duBig-
non of Savannah, Hon. Clark Howell of
Atlanta.
Speaker Little opened the discussion by
presentation of the situation which
showed that the state will have a virtual
deficit on July 20, next, Of $4S4, COO Re
viewing the history of it, he said it began
in SO when the tax returns began to fall
off. In IS $4,000 was appropriated for
In 1896 100000 was added to the school
fund over his protest as chairman of the
House finance committee. The appropria-
lions had kept getting ahead of the reve-
nue. until now its was a question of in
creasing the tax rate or of cutting down
the appropriations He declared that he
was in favor of the latter course and
would so vote in the legislature. Speeches
on the same line were made by ex-Gov.
Mcdaniel and Northen, by ]. B. Park of
Green county, Col. j. H. Estill of Savan-
nah, Capt. T. ]. Bell, representative from
Forsythe, Col. Hammond and others.
In his talk Gov Northen stated that
there was undoubtedly grave frauds in the
pension department, but they could not be
prevented under the present system. II
the legislature could devise a new system
that would weed out the fraudulent pen
sloners, the appropriations would be great
ly lessened. He also, in advocating the
reduction of the school fund declared that
if the law was traced and the money APP
piled only to teaching the elementary
branches as stipulated in the constitution,
the cutting off the 100000 would not les
sen the length of the term nor work an
injustice in any direction.
Mr.. Park of Green county made the
point that the Democratic party had
pledged itself not to interfere with the
pension or school funds in the recent cam
paign, but Gov Gambler disposed of this
point summarily in his short talk con-
Guiding the meeting.
There was a Democratic candidate for
Governor" he said, who declared he
would bankrupt the treasury before he
would reduce the school or pensions, but
there was another candidate who said he
had been a school boy and a school teach
err and knew their needs and conditions,
but he would not bankrupt the treasury
for the schools sake. He had also been
a soldier and was wounded, and was in
favor of pensioning every old Confederate
that needed it. but yet he would not bank
rupt the treasury for the old soldier. He
would not do 1t because the old soldier
would not ask 1t, and it would not be
right 1t was this latter candidate" con
cluded the Governor, who was Endorsed
at the polls. l take my election as the APP
prevail of my people of the views l ex-
pressed, and therefore, I am ready now
90 say that / am in favor cutting both
the school fund and the pensions, rather
than bankrupt the treasury The time
has come to assume the responsibility OF
such an act and l am willing to meet it.
l shall ask 1t of the legislature and / be,
lieve the people will uphold you in your
act when you do it,
The conference appeared to be practi
cally a unit in support of the proposition
to reduce pensions and the school fund
and Gov. Gamblers message making sucf
recommendation will go in a few days
| sure to receive hearty approval. IL will
| not be enacted into law, however, with.
out opposition, for the lines have beer
drawn for a fight by the Blalock reform
ers who will not admit the necessity fol
| cutting the school funds.