Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1900-10-25
LEGISLATURE MEETS
IN ANNUAL SESSIO'.
Organization Perfected By
the Election of officers.
THE GOVERNORS MESSAGE

0tnOc'S hAeCUC1v0 OOnSraCuIaLeS Tn
Legislature Upon the Prosperity o
GeOrgia-He Urges Tax Reform, Sol.
diers' Home and Other Laws.
ATLANTA, Oct "a The lower hous,
Of the Georgia Legislature met thi
morning and organized with the election
Of the officers nominated by Demo
cratic caucus held just before the regu
lar session convened.
The house was called to order at
o'clock by John T. Boifeiullet. clerk o
the last house. Prayers were then of
fered. Then the members were sworr
in by Associate Justice Lumpkin N
S. Morris, of Cobb, was elected speaker
pro tenn. John D. Little, of Muscogee
was reelected speaker, and John T
RQifeuillet clerk. f. NJ Durham wal
cted messenger, and J. S. Wllliford, Of
yette, doorkeeper. Mrs. T. r. R Cobt
BIS appointed postmistress.
Governors Message.
In every respect the document is thor
ghly democratic, showing that Gov
nor Gambler has carefully weighed In
q scales OF democratic measurement
70 sundry matters of public concern
hich he brings to the attention of the
wmakers Of the state. Touching upon
e expenditure of money raised by tax
ZION, he urges extreme caution upon
le general assembly and he lays great
ress upon the Importance of making
preparations sufficiently large TO meet
q growing demands of the state gov
nment wisely and honestly admin
tered.
AT the outset the governor congratu'
ties the general assemblysupon the sig.
al prosperity which the state enjoys al
be beginning Of the legislative session,
taking special mention of the price OF
btton, and noting the unusually large
re of the wheat crop, which he says
reaks the record of 40 years He con.
ratulates the farmers of the state upOr
be disposition to diversity agriculture,
lie calls attention to the increase Of 49,,
p3, 542 in the value of property of the
Fate as shown by the tax digest and OBJ
brves that Iawlessness and crime have
nown marked improvement as the
In discussing the states financial con.
ition the governors message recites
Pat no state in the union ell joys bet.
pr credit than Georgia. Covering the
resent fiscal year the total receipts of
be state are shown to be So, 542, 069, and
be total expenditures 1854, roo. In
his connection the message calls atten.
ion to the following item
From the report of the treasurer II
yill be seen that there is in the treasury
SS2, 900 derived from the sale of public
roperty, which can under the constitu.
on be applied to no purpose other than
be bonded debt"
Legislation Recommended.
The governor maks the following sug.
estions, recommending the enactment
new laws:
II earnestly advise this general assem-,
y to enact some law which will 40
bmplish the desired end and compel the
x dodger to bear his just share of the
1rdens of government.
"After much investigation and study
have come to the conclusion that the
Bst interests of the taxpayer and schools
emand a radical change in the mode OF
fov1dlng means TO support our public
bhools.
''In my opinion, the time has come
hen the state should provide home
Dr those old decrepid and worn out con.
bderate soldiers who are homeless and
riendless and unable to work for them.
ELVES.
'In the interest of good government
nd in the interest of the negro race,
ecommend an amendment to the con.
Htitution providing for qualified suf
rage based on an educational or prop
srty qualification, or both
II earnestly recommend that this law
Re SO amended as to place misdemeanof
onviots in the hands of the prison com
mission, with the same powers and du'
les they now have as to felony con.
Ficts.