The Bolivar bulletin. (Bolivar, Tenn.) 1888-1946, 1903-01-16

luCT0dSSu expenditure.
MINE EXPLOSIONS.
Since the adjournment of the last
assembly a great disaster has overtak-
en- many of our citizens by reason of
explosions; two in the mines at Day
ton, and the other at the Fraterville
mine in the Coal Creek district. BY
reason of the two explosions at Day
ton thirty-seven lives were lost, ald
the Fraterville disaster resulted in
the death of 1874, who were engaged
in the support of themselves and
their families
1 call your special attention to the
recommendations contained in the re-
port of the labor commissioner and
inspector of mines, and the report of
Messrs. Murray, Clute and Hargis,
for additional legislation. That our
mining laws are detective and need
amendment, | think is beyond doubt,
and l recommend that CAREFUL attcn-
tion be given the subject and the re-
quired amendments made.
TRUSTS AND COMBINATIONS.
Within few years the tendency to
create trusts and monopolies for the
purpose of enhancing prices or re-
stricting production has been wide
spread, and has resulted in organiza-
tions, many of which cannot but prove
detrimental to the best interests of the
country. Our people have no preju-
diceS that would cause them to urge
the enactment of laws discouraging
the use of capital, however large the
amount, for industrial development.
Against this there can be no COM
plant, but wherever combinations are
made for the purpose of crushing COM
petition, restricting production, and
thereby enhancing the price of the ne
cessities of life, the question becomes
one of great Importance, demanding
serious consideration and the wisest
legislation. l realize that it is not in
your power to apply all the remedies
which should be invoked, and will ul-
timately be invoked, against those
trusts which exist by reason of pro-
tective tariffs. That remedy will lie
with the Federal congress, which alone,
under our constitution, can take away
the high protection, through which
they sprung into existence and by
which they live. But we have on our
statute books strenuous laws against
trusts, and it is in your power to pro-
vide funds for their efficient enforce
ment, and l recommend that you set
apart fund which, under the direc-
tion of the governor or attorney-gener-
al, or both acting in conjunction, can
be applied to that purpose. You can
also do something by requiring that
publicity which will force organiza-
tions of this kind doing business in
the State to report to the secretary of
State all the essential facts concern
ing their capitaliZations, bonded in
debtedness, receipts, expenditures, etc.
Something can be accomplished by
this publicity. But it will take more
than publicity to reach the root Of tie
evil in many cases. =
RAILROAD TAXATION.
The report of Hons. N. w. Baptist,
]. N. Mckenzie and Thomas l.. Will
liams, railroad commissioners, shows
the total number of miles of railroad
subject to assessment in the State to
be 2.965.09; total value, $56, ,710, 1869;
total taxes received, SS06, ,504.57, of
which the State tax was $209, ,9S6.3S,
county tax, $513, ,274.16, municipal tax,
$S3, ,2S4.O3
Frequent communications have been
received notifying me OF short see
tions of road, telephone or telegraph
lines, which by reason of recent con-
struction had not been taxed. l have
had occasion thereupon to call the
board together as assessors eX-Officio
of railroad, telegraph and telephone
properties and have found them ever
ready, vigilant and efficient in making
assessments and striving to have all
property bear its fair proportion of
taxes. When the shortage in cars at
the State mines caused enforced idle
ness and loss of production they
promptly interceded to bring about re-
lief.
The absorption and consolidation of
competing lines is assuming proper
tions in some parts of our country
which demand the thoughtful consid-
Grafton of the legislator
During the latter part of last year
there were rumOrs and fears eX-
pressed of such consolidation between
extensive competing lines in Tennes-
see. Suggestion was made to me that
the legislature should be called in ex-
ira session for the purpose of consid
ering it. At that time l did not be-
liede that the immediate prospect of
such action was sufficient TO Justify
incurring the expense which an extra
session would entail, and /, there
fore, determined to defer the matter
until the assembling of the present
Legislature. l now submit the question
that any consultations in our State
which have for their purposes, or
which would result in the destruction
Of legitimate competition would be
detrimental to the best interests of
our people, and l recommend that you
give this subject such action as will
best subserve the interest of the State.
PENSIONS.
The board of pension examiners and
trustees of the soldiers home have
submitted their reports. The report
of the board of pension examiners
shows that there are on the rolls 21
pensioners of the first class, 25 of the
second class and 1928 of the third
class, a total of 1,574. That the first
class received $500 per annum, the
second $12O per annum and the third
500, total of S162, 100. When l as
sumed the duties of the executive of
flee your appropriation for this pur-
pose was 100000 a year. 1t was in
creased first to 100000 and by the
last legislature to $150,000. There are
in the soldiers home 120
Confederate soldiers. l have person
ally inspected the institution on differ
ent occasions, and too much cannot
be said in praise of those who without
compensation, give their time and
their energy for the proper conduct
of this important trust. These veter-
ans gave their youth and strength for
the State when called upon by the
commonwealth to do so; they are there
fore worthy objects of your consid-
Grafton and adequate appropriation
should be made for their maintenance.