The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-06-08

ALABAMA is
FORGING ON
"RicheSt Piece of Earth,
on Any Continent
ADDRESS OF GOV. JELKS
States Finances in a Salts
factory Condition.
In Speaking to University Alumni
Gov. Jelks Recites Some In
teresting Statistics Anent
Resources of. Alabama.

Governor Jelks was enthusiastically re-
ceived when he appeared before the
alumni of the University at their annual
banquet in the dining room in tho main
Alabama and he handled the subject
most pleasingly and interestingly. lie told
of a most happy and satisfactory con-
dition of the States finances. how 1t is
meeting all obligations promptly and will
have money to spare at the end of the
fiscal year. He was cheered often as he
proceeded and in accordance with a very
general wish, the address is reproduced.
The Governor said in part:
Alabama is perhaps the richest piece
of earth on any continent. This sounds
boastful but is hardly beyond the boun-
daries Of the truth. The opinion is not
original with an Alabamian. An observ-
ing Eastern man of fame in all our land
and known by reputation on two CONT
nents, has frequently so said. We Ala
bamians believe that the opinion of Colo
mel Mcclure expressed years ago. and re-
expressed, is likely to become the almost
universal sentiment of those who give
the matter attention. Our vast, forests.
now being ruthlessly cut down, are still
adding much to ),ir wealth in dollars,
while furnishing millions of acres of till
able land to the thrifty and growing
population. Our uncut timber. In vast
quantities still allures the stranger. He
is clearing our lands and pocketing
much of the vast wealth which nature.
from the beginning. supplied US. -.
Our mineral resources have been UNI
Is wealth in our hills for our children
for ages to come. We have only
scratched the surface of the earth here
and there. Our vast inexhaustible miner
al wealth is, in a way. innocent of the
voice of pick or shovel This is true
while the products of the mine and fur
mace have given prodigiously. In coal
we produced in 1900, 1894, Us tons, against
| 100000 tons in 1886. which grew to A.
900, 400 tons in 1890, doubled in ten years.
In the matter of pig iron the growth
has been as phenomenal. In 1880 we
turned out IS, 800 tons: in 1890, s16,010 tons.
and 1901, 1.225.2l2 tons. 1t is boastfully
claimed that we make in Birmingham the
price of pigs for the world. There are
enthusiasts who believe that in a few
ario ilra
inence in the steel world. Then with wa
ter enough in the locks and channels of
the Warrior to float this vast product to
deep water at Mobile, untold dollars will
pour themselves into the laps of our
people.
while we are rich in uncut timber, in
unnined mineral wealth, in agricultural
possibilities. the hope of this, as of any
other State, must be In the strong arms
of her sons, made stronger by the voyage
over the rough seas of knowledge. Ig-
norance may be bliss but If is NOT wealth.
A hundred thousand dollars or any other
sum invested In education for the people
pays handsomer dividend in more dol
lars to the State than a like or ten times
thu ariount in any material enterprise.
Now the State has not been idle In this
line.
while individuals have been digging
and delving for coal, the State has bsen
cultivating richer veins than the Cahaba
Warrior fields can boast. The Govern
ment has added to the school fund in zen
years a sum equal to more than the
amount then employed. The figures for
the school year ending September 1898
were $685. 066.60. exclusive of poll taxes;
for the school year, ending September
~ hoo III To N
round figures. and for 1901 the amount
paid out of the State treasury for schools
along amounted to the magnificent sum
of 81 400. 456. an increase in one year of
something like 100000, or 40 per cent of
the previous largest appropriation. So
that while the mere materialists are in
vesting in coal. timber and iron, the State
has not been less enterprising or liberal.
There is a voice in the land for better
and even higher education. Coming, as
you do. my friends. from various parts
of the State. am sure you have heard it
in every section. The demand that all
our sons and daughters shall have
grammar school education. at least, is
almost universal, and the State govern
ment Is meeting manfuly this almost new
demand on her treasury. The sentiment
Is growing, too, that not only a grammar
school education shall be furnished all
our DoyS ana girls, out tnaC tecnncal
education shall be in reach of every as
piring youth.
In spite OF these demands, the State
treasury is plethoric. There are ample
funds to cover every appropriation. and
We will even be able to do it with the re-
duced tax rate of one mill under the new
constitution. Tins is something to be
grateful for.
II am glad to be with you Ylumni at
this commencement occasion. You grad
yates and those who have gone before
have illustrated Alabama virtues in ev-
cry peaceful pursuit and carried the flag
where the scorching breath of war rose
most furious. In tine school room, in the
forum, at the bar. in medicine and in the
more modest pursuits, you have been in
the van of progress You did not dsdain
to pour out your blood when the rights of
your State were threatened and later
when an enemy placed his ruthless foot
upon our soil. There are as urgent trum-
pet calls in time of peace.
II have heard it said. too. that in the
innocuous pursuit of politics you were not
without force.
II hope the old University will begin
with this day a new growth. You love
her. See that you touch elbows in her
behalf"