Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1901-10-24

ton he has heard to a revision of the
pension laws as suggested is that it will
force applicants to take the pauper oath,
which objection, he says, is not valid, for
the reason that old, age is not objection
able, and honest poverty, come of four
years of devotion in the prime of life to
the state, is no disgrace.
In opposition to the proposition to d.
vide the cost of maintaining the pub
lie schools between the state and the
counties there are, says the governor,
but two possible arguments, and in his
opinion neither of them are good.
But when you have instituted these reforms
you will only have guarded for the future
against a recurrence OF the unfortunate condi-
ton with which we have wrestled in the past.
work done during the present year will stiH be
unpaid. Retrenchment and a revision of your
school and pension laws will not have paid II.
1t is an honest debt and must be paid. The OBJ
ligation on the state to pay 1t without unnec-
sary delay is legally and morally as binding
as the obligation to pay the salaries of your
governor, the judges of your courts, the per
diem OF your legislators, or the principal and
Interest of your public debt. The fact that II is
the result OF bad law does not relieve us from
the obligation to pay. There are but two ways
in which to do 1t; one is to levy a. direct tax
on the people to raise the money; the other is
to borrow the. money and owe those who are
able and willing to carry the debt rather than
your teachers who are neither able nor willing
to do 50. The idea of raising this deficiency by
direct taxation is not TO be entertained for
moment. Taxes are too high already.
therefore recommend that an amendment OF
the constitution be submitted to the people at
the next general election authorizing the issue
of a sufficient amount of per cent state bonds
to pay the arrearages due teachers, these
bonds to be paid of at the rate of hundred
thousand dollars year out Of the rental Of
der of the rental after applying hundred thou
sand dollars annually to the payment OF the
bonds, to be applied as now, one-half to the
school fund and the other half to general pur-
poses.
The governor recommends an appropria-
ton of $50 900 for the maintenance of the
state troops, and urges that the insurance
money collected on the Soldiers home,
be Immediately appropriated for the re-
building of the institution, and that $4,000
more be given to maintain the veterans
during the year.
He urges that the. legislature put in
surance deposits back to the old figures
$4,000 for fire companies and $4,000 for
surety companies of any character.
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS.
That some important changes in our organic
agreed, and with this sentiment am in full
The ballot should be restricted,
Provision should be made for biennial ses-
sions of the General Assembly.
A maximum rate of state taxation should
A rule should be prescribed requiring that
all appropriation bills be passed and submitted
to the governor not less than ten days before
the expiration by Limitation Of the session, as
a safeguard against hasty and extravagant
appropriation of the public money.
The governor and the judges of the superior
courts should be given power to order change
of venue in certain criminal cases
The machinery for authorizing the collection
of local taxes for the support Of common
schools should be simpifed.
other changes not so important have been
He urges that a law relieving the coli
leges of the state from taxation be enact
ed; he suggests the passage of such leg
islation as will permit change of venue
in trials for assault and other capital fell
onies when there is danger of mob vio-
lence; he suggests parole law like unto
Ohio S; he asks that action be taken pro-
viding for the preservation of the state
archives. r -t'
The governor also strongly recommends
In conclusion, the governor states that
he mas been able in his message to. only
refer to partial list of the matters about
which the legislature should know, and
invites all members of the two bodies to
call upon him for conference on public
matters at any time. -,1