The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-09-02
THE aovrRNoR,s MESSAGE.

The Governor in his message. submitted to the Legislature on its. reassembling, very properly devotes the opening para graphs to the blessings which have been vouchsafed to the people in bountful crops, freedom from pestilence and pam ics.' and upon the prevalence of peace and good will.
 He gives warning of the important matters to be considered and the limited time in which they are to do their work. Throughout the message is shown the cIear-headed, business man. He lays be- fore the legislators In the piainest man. ner the financial condition now and tine probabilities of the future The sources of income. the decrease to follow the re- duced tax rate. and the probable in- creases from other sources than taxes and licenses. are clearly set forth He has a right to facilitate himself and the State upon the present favorable condition of the States finances, and we are hopeful enough to believe that gradual improve ment in values and growth of industries will enable every obligation to be prompt- ly met in the future, provided. of course, that too heavy drafts are not made.
 It will be gratifying to note what he has to say as to the additional income from the Convict Department since the radical change that was made some nor. tfs ago. It is stin more gratifying to know that with this additional income there has been better health and better treatment for the convicts. He Is clearly right in desiring to see all felony cases "under the constant care bf the States own vigilant agents"
 He makes some suggestions looking to still more satisfactory returns from this Department. which are well worthy of serious consideration-in fact, of the fa- vorable action of the Legislature. The attempts to farm on the part of the State have been practical failures, the losses being far greater than the gains. This. however, was due to the character of land and the separated management and additional expense. All under one man. agement and land of better quality, would undoubtedly produce better re- suits.
 The tendency everywhere Is to improve school facilities, and the plan of consol- idation and redistricting, if properly car ried out would result in great benefit.
 The Governor is very hopeful of good results from the school textbooks. and we hope that his every expectation will be gratified. His commendation of those who gave so much time and attention to the work of selecting the books is we'll deserved. The Commission did faithful work.
 The laborer is worthy of his hire and those who assessed the poll taxes prior to the adoption of the new Constitution are justly entitled to the compensation which the Governor unhesitatingly rec ommends.
 All the people will heartily endorse what is said about lynching and join the Gov ernor in asking that authority be given to order special terms of court in fragrant cases
 He very clearly expresses his condemn ation of peonage and his qualification at | the punishment of those guilty of it. while he criticizes those partisans abroad who sought untruthfully to exaggerate the evil and unjustly to placard the
 whole State as engaging in 1t. The message deals with several other matters of import, and in way that leaves no doubt as the views entertained
 by the Governor. Altogether, it is very
 fine document and will be read with
 pleasure and profit at home and abroad.