The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-06-30

II There was nothing said or done in my hearing to prevent any member of that Committee from making a minority re- port. But that is not an answer to tho question. I assert that that statement l has been published and laid before the delegates of this Convention and no man has undertaken to say they are wrong and to point out wherein they are wrong. Now. Mr. President, if the statement presented by the Chairman of this Committee is correct, what Is the most solemn duty of this Conven- ton? Are we to ignore the pledge made by the Democratic party? Are we to say that notwithstanding the facts placed before us show that we are annually piling up a surplus in the treasury, we will continue to pile that up and refuse to obey and carry out the pledge made to the people of Ala bama that we would reduce the tax rate? l submit we cannot afford to violate the pledge that we have made. There is no doubt in the world that If cent of 1t was levied and collected. the legislature would find a place to spend the money. But that is not the policy we should pursue. I am in fa- vor of the States affairs being con ducted on an economical basis l do not advocate stinginess. advocate economy. Now, MT. President. if ev- cry officer in the State should come forward and say that he thought his salary ought to be increased. if there was a surplus in the treasury. piling up year after year, there is no doubt in my mind but what the legislature would increase many of them.
 When we saw there was an oppor- tunity of reducing the tax limit and at the same time arranging it so that each county may out of that one mill give aid to the schools. to which We are all friendly. we accepted 1t and we have given the opportunity to the people of the different counties to increase their public school fund, and as I said on yesterday this was clearly in line with the Idea of one of the best educators in the State, Dr. Phillips of Birmingham. and was also endorsed by the Teachers Association. We are taking no backward step in education in this movement.
 Now cannot conceive for one mo- nlent how we as the representatives of the people can afford to go before them and say notwithstanding the fact that a surplus is annually being piled up in the Treasury, we will not reduce the tax rate.
 NOW \ may Sdy tO InC who spoke so eloquently on yesterday In regard to the expenditures the State ought to make in the improvement of the Capitol that that was discussed by some of the Committee and we were satisfied that out of the great amount of surplu5 accumulated in the Treas ury 1t would not be long until the Leg islature could see It's way clear to make the necessary appropriation for the im- provement of this property, and you need have no trouble on that question. You need have no doubt but what every obligation the State owes will be paid. that the school appropriations will be increased. This period of pro- to grow and by the reduction of the tax rate the tax values of the property will be increased and I ask that you support the report of the Committee on this proposition.
 Mir. Oates-I had not intended to ad- dress the Convention upon this sub Ject, but since 1t has taken such wide range and allusions have been made to the deficiency in the Treasury in con- sequence of several different things, few brief remarks. especially on that point by way of explanation may not be aniss. had not investigated these
 
 the honor of being inaugurated as Chief Executive, but conferred with my predecessor then in office and exam ined into the acts of the Legislature, and I found this to be the fact, that the aggregate amount of tax values of the property of Alabama i'm the last year covering Governor Seay's admlnistra- ton, amounted to about $275. 900, 900, and with the tax rate then existing 1t brought into the Treasury a greater amount of money than was necessary to meet all the exigencies of that ad- ministration. Consequently that off eiaI recommended to the General As sembiy a reduction in the tax rate, snd 1t was made too low. It was put down to four mills, and at the same time with an exaggerated idea of the sur plus and the vast income that the State would receive that very session of the Legislature made heavy appro- pfiations out of the usual line. One recollect for $75,00 or $1000O0 for the erection of additional accommodations at Talladega. Other appropriations were made with the same idea of the abundance of revenue and my prede- cessor soon found himself short of funds. There was another cause oper- ating. Just after that time began the panic and the amount of taxable values began to fall and they fell with the lower rate although 1t was increased by one or two acts when at the time [ succeeded to the office the deficiency was very considerable. My predecessor had found it necessary in order to pay the school teachers to effect loan in New York of $500, 900 and I found the State in this condition. His adminls- tratton had been as economical as it could be. and he was in no wise re- sponsible for this miscalculatlon on the part of the Legislature. Before his retirement he recommended to the Gen. eral Assembly an increase in the tax rate of one half mill and that was done, so that when 1 came in found 1t 55, but as everyone knows when an increase or decrease in the tax rate Is effected by the Legislature no percept- ible difference is discovered until the next year thereafter. Now a great deal has been said by newspapers and politicians about a reduction of the deficiencies found in the Treasury. In- dulge me for a moment and I think I will show just how that was accomp> lished. Finding that 1t was necessary to do the same thing that my prede- cessor had done I went to New York and effected a loan of $5l0,O0O after hav- Ing paid of the loan of $500, 900 due when I came in. That was necessary just as the former was to maintain tne credit of the State especially at home by paying school teachers and meeting the school expenses. They were somewhat delayed in obtaining their money. but it came in good time. O coYrrea that ona haIf V,1il