The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1905-01-05
The Message in Paragraphs.

Gov. Frazier greets the assembled rep
resentatives of the Fifty-fourth Gener-
al Assembly with congratulations that
they have been called to meet just at
the food-tide of the states prosperity
and development.
He calls attention to the multiplied
and increased output OF its manufac'
lures, the bounteous harvests, peace
and contentment of the people, and the
maintenance of orderly government
which for the past two years has guar
anteed to all the protection of life and
property.
lie congratulates the state upon the
splendid fiscal condition, but admon-
ishes the representatives of their high
est obligation to observe wise economy
in every department.
The fact that the state has in its
treasury funds sufficient to meet all
pressing needs should not lead to ex
travagant expenditures. With these
congratulations and admonitions, the
governor takes up and enters upon
detailed discussion of public questions
with which the assembled representa-
tives are expected to deal during the
seventy-fve days they will be in ses-
sion. Among other things he says:
can ignorant electorate is fatal to
free government.
'Tt is cheaper to educate boy than
to convict criminal and guard con-
vict.
''The public education of all of its
people is one of the highest functions
of state.
"The peace and prosperity of state
is measured by the intelligence of its
people.
"The state should share to reason
able degree with its counties the bur
den of educating its people"
The benefits of existing educational
laws are then pointed out and their
Strengthening effect shown, and he
shows that the surplus to be applied to
schools this year reaches approximate
ly $500, 900.
He sets out his views on the subject
of education and makes two sugges-
tions, either of which, he thinks, will
meet the duty.
The first is to fix the amount of sur
plus to be distributed at not less than
$500, 600 and the second is a permanent .
fund of $7,OOO,O0O on which the state
shall pay a rate Of per cent. per an
mum.
He expresses preference for the lat
ter idea, but puts positive protest
against any backward step along this
line.
He pleads for more and better school
houses.
He recommends that the county in
stitute become permanent and lawful
obligation upon county superinten-
dents.
He favors continuation of the aid |
extended to the Peabody College for
Teachers by the appropriation of $780,,
700 per annum, and urges all reason
able means in securing the permanent
ocation of the Peabody fund in Ten
nessee.
He rsnews his recommendation of
proper aid to the University of Ten
nessee.
He favors distinctly chronological
college.
He asks the general assembly to re-
gard as its sacred duty the maintenance
of the favorable and gratifying condi-
tion of the states finances.
He strongly impresses the wisdom of
adhering to the policy contemplated in
the sinking fund act, under which the
bonded debt is being gradually liqui-
dated.
He gives statistics and interesting in
formation regarding the retirement of
the state debt.
He calls attention with especial en-
phasis to the splendid results of the
prison system, which has made the
state prison more than self-sustaining.
He asks that authority to buy more
coal lands be continued.
He suggests system of parole for
convicts, and recommends a reforma-
tory for youthful convicts and some
humane legislation as to the treatment
OF insane convicts.
He points out the splendid results of
the exhibit made at the Louisiana
Purchase Exposition, and asks for an
appropriation and authority to bring
such parts of the states exhibit as may
be needed back to Tennessee as per-
manent exhibit.
He pays just tribute to the work Of
the commission who secured for the
Worlds Fair a reproduction of the
Hermitage as a state building.
He favors bureau of immigration
and statistics, and asks for authority to
appoint someone to have charge of the
work.
He believes in the efficacy of farmers
= institutes, and recommends a continu-
alton of the appropriation for this pur-
II pose.
i he recommends that the work oi
q equalizing tax assessments be trans
ferred to the railroad commission,