The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-01-07

Governor Jelks is engaged In the prepa- ration of his message 10 the Legislature, which convenes Tuesday. January lS ihe Governor. in the prepa4atlon or ms mes sage. has called into conference the neaos CT all the State departments.
 The various State officials have con- farred with the Governor as to the leg is,ation needed for their departments. The actual work of preparing the message began several days ago. The plan anu general scope of the Governors important communication to the Legislature was outlined even earlier.
 The Governor has taken the posiuoh that sny discussion of the message pe- fore 1t was submitted to the Legislature would be premature. There Is conse- ouentlv nothing known authoritativeiy as to what proposed legislation will be treat ed in the message. but there Is more or less reliable gossip as to some of the mat ters to be recommended.
 Will Deal With Revenue.
 The message is expected. first of all. to deal with the important matter of reve nue for the State under the conditions established by the new Constitution. The new instrument lowered the tax rate to 1-2 mills. With increased expenses, the problem which faces the Legislature is not an easy one. The Governor, with the Auditor and Attorney-General, has been made a Board for the drawing of new revenue bill which will be presented to the Legislature. The greater part of this work has already been done and the bill and that part of the Governors message which will treat of revenue matters, 1t is expected will fully cover the situation.
 Convict matters it is thought, will be -k Ia. tv 4ha UQ GlnrA the last meeting of the Legislature a most important change in the method of leasing the convicts to the mining com panies has gone into effect. The State now receives a stipulated sum for each ton of coal mined by each convict instead of receiving a small sum month for the service of each of the convicts
 It is said that the Governors message may recommend that the county convicts now working in the mines be placed under the control of the State inasmuch as the State is receiving so much more revenue for its convicts than the counties are.
 As to County Jails.
 The placing of all the county jails in the State under the supervision and inspec- tion of the Convict Board is discussed as another possible recommendation of the Governor.
 n6 TcGtnt TSpOIl OA 0Ta OuHASy DEd8Bs State Physician Inspector of Convicts, drawing as 1t did a vivid picture of the evil conditions of the county jails in Ala bama, has aroused strong opposition to present conditions, and 1t Is more than probable that some legislative action will be taken.
 The pressing need for improvement and enlargement of the Capitol building, it is thought, will be dealt with in the Gov ernor's message. The Capitol Is crowded as pen haps no other public building in the South. The building was erected to meet the needs of the State government fifty years ago. It is entirely inadequate for the State government of today. All State officials will join in the effort to have the Legislature give them the the room that is demanded by present conditions.
 It has been proposed that the historic old structure be left intact and that the enlargement consist of the addition of two wings, each running parallel with the Supreme Court annex. The plans which have been discussed for the en- largement of the building contemplate the retention of the same general archi- tectural idea of the present building. It Is not intended that the new and the old shall be architecturally inharmonious
 Other Important Matters.
 Other important legislation which will come before the Legislature is the propo- sition to have the members of the Rail- road Commission elected by the people, the child labor law, the placing of county health officers on salary, and the re- casting of the school districts of the State These matters may or may not be touched upon in the message.
 The work of the Legislature will be largely to harmonize the statutes with the provisions of the new Constitution,