The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-05-25
JELKS IN EUFAULA
GOVERNOR SPEAKS OF THE
 STATES PROGRESS. -
Sho5vS That Receipts Have Been In- cerased Greatly Despite Fact That
 There Has Been Reduction of the Tax Rate.

Eufaula, May 24.-(Special. )-De- spite rain which fell almost unceasing- ly this morning until about noon the Chautauoua opened here in full blaze of glory this morning with a large number of visitors to the city. The exercises were held in the Carnegie au- ditorium which was filled to Its cas pacity and the program was made up of highly interesting and instructive features. The first number was a reading by Miss Allie Hays which was well rendered. Following this came a piano quartette in which three of the Brenau girls assisted by Professor Just. principal of the musical department, participated. Rev. M. B. Wharton then spoke for a hour on the Chau- tauqua idea and his remarks were re- pltewe with wisdom.
 Hon. Charles S. McDowde1 Jr.. then arose and in we'll conceived remarks introduced Governor w. D. Jelks. The Governor was greeted with an ovation when he arose and was given marked attention from the beginning to the close of his address which consumed about an hour.
 Prefacing his subject which he an- nounced would be in response to a spe- cials request, The States Recent Pro- gress;" he paid a glowing tribute to his old home The Governor told in 6 few pleasing anecdote and read a magnificent State paper showing the marvellous progress of the past five years as compared with those of the preceding five and came in at intervals for hearty rounds of applause. He re- ferred with pride to the new constr tuition ana said he had the privilege to sign the bill to put 1t into effect.
 Getting rid of the negro vote. he said, had given clean primaries and honest elections. He spoke of the States revenue which he said came principally from a direct tax and from the earnings of the convicts. He praised the States management of its convicts and insisted that 1t were far better to take care of them in the State penitentiary than to hire them for less than they are worth
 He gave statistics showing the marked increase of revenue derived from the lease of the States convicts for the past five years as compared with the preceding five. He also com pared the direct tax receipts which. he said. would show gain of twenty nine per, cent during the past five years and further stated that the tax ation had been reduced one mill
 He spoke of lynchings which he deeply deplored but showed that they were on the decrease, citing that there was only one last year and none the present He urged the importance of good schools and especially good teach CTS which he said should be more lib- erally compensated. He further stated that the schools get a quarter milli.n more appropr 'ation today than five years ago.
 Next to the schools. he said, was our duty to the old soldiers whom he eulogized. He compared the appropria- ton for the old veterans now with those of five years ago and show ed gratifying increase. He said our laws and especially our crimnaI ones were all right and were based upon the Ten Commandments.
 He referred to tho present condition of the treasury which showed a sur plus of three quarters of a million. the best condition known in many years and said that if the next five years made as good a showing we would be ready for the millenium. The Gov ernor took occasion to touch on rail- road taxation and the matter of being criticized for drawing his salary while he was unwell and stated that the records for the past thirty years showed that every salaried official had drawn his full salary whether well or sick.
 At the First Baptist church this af- ternoon an organ recital was given by Miss Eda Bartholomew of the Gaines