The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1907-02-01
GOVERNORS MESSAGE
LEGISLATION RECOMMENDED
By GOV. PATTERSON.
Education and Good Roa.ls Endorsed
Creation Of a State Election Board
Urged Other Important Measures
Proposed.


Nashville, Tenn. Coy. Malcolm r.
Patterson's first message to the legisIa-
ture was read in both houses today, and
is as follows:
TO the Honorable Members of the Sem
ate and House of REPRESENTATIVES:
Gentlemen--As Governor of the State
] am charged with the duty of sugges-
ton and recommendation, and you with
the greater responsibility OF legisla-
your approval ! have the right to ex-
poet your cooperation, otherwise not
Inc people Of Tennessee have abund-
antiy shared In the general prosperity
OF the country; the financial standing
OF the state ~ on a sound basis. and 1
believe the time has come when we
should inaugurate such policies as are
betting the dignity OF great State
ana commensurate with the needs and
expectations or the people. The old
ofuer o. Things has passed away new
conditions haYe arisen, and we should
nave the courage and Intelligence to
meet Them
state Debt--Revenue---Appr appropriation
You Will find in the reports Of the
Comptroller and Treasurer full state
mcnt OF the receipts and disbursements
OF the state, and also the condition Of
our debt with the reduction made by
the purchasing of outstanding bonds.
II VIII not be necessary to recapitulate
the statements made In their reports,
but Il VIII be sufficient to say that our
state debt Is on a satisfactory basis
and that we are having no difnculty in
meeting the interest and retiring a
large number OF the bonds each year.
The large majority of these bonds
bear q very low rate of interest and
IL mas been seriously questioned Wheth-
er we are not retiring the. bonds too
fast and putting too great burden
upon the present that the future ought
However this may be, our taxable
we can confidently look for still
greater revenues.
With the credit of the State impaired,
buTdensome criminal costs and reduced
revenues, we formerly had difficulty In
meeting even the interest on the State
debt, and we could not appropriate the
State government in all IT'S depart
ments. With credit restored, ample
revenues sufficient to meet not only
large amount Of the principal of our
debt, 1t is our duty to begin the work
of restoration and legislate upon a new
We have reached the point In our fis-
cal affairs where we can continue our |
policy of extinguishing the debt, and at
the same time give to the people those |
benefits they ought to enjoy and which |
they have the right to expect
Liberal appropriations within the |
limits of revenue and intelligently APP |
piled is the true State economy. In
adequate appropriations to legitimate I
objects and wasteful extravaganza in
other directions is what should be
The people know that when they pay
their taxes into the treasury the money
will be spent---all they ask Is that 1t \
be well and honestly spent
With the knowledge that we can
safely appropriate and respond TO the |
reasonable demands Of growing State,
] shall invite your attention to certain
subjects. all OF which deserve your con-
Judicial Salaries.
The office OF Judge Is one of honor
and should not be made one of profit,
vet the salaries paid should be suffi-
Client to maintain our judicial officers
In comfort while In the public service,
and TO provide against want when they
The compensation OF our Supreme
Court Judges Is meager, and no pro-
The result Is that unless they are men
pf means when they go upon the bench,
they must face an old age OF penury
when they retire.
Of whom receive inadequate salaries
entirely disproportionate to their posi-
lions and responsibilities, and less than
the. compensation Of many county off
cials who perform only clerical labor
Under the Constitution, you cannot
Increase the salaries Of these officials
IAN enact such a law which will take
effect at the end of their terms, and
this l earnestly recommend
Public Buildings.
The condition OF our State Capital Is
reprosc eos 81 pr aisal ~
ne people--built for use and adorn
nenf Is rapidly going to decay. Its
are old and worn, the halls
IL the House and Senate are unsightly,
ma aside from the noble proportions
n the building itself. there Is nothing
n the interior that would impress 9
tisltor or cause pride GO the people OF
recommend that liberal appropria
Ion be made at once. to protect the
Capitol from further decay, ana 20
thoroughly renOvate and refurnlSh the
building and improve and beautify the
yrOuEds.
further recommend the purchase Of
home for the Executive. There may
,e others, but so far as my knowledge
'xtends, Tennessee is the only State
which fails to provide suitable resi-
Ience for its Executive
Aside from other considerations, a |
Governor who is compelled to board
i hotel cannot properly represent
be dignity Of the state, nor can he
i've that study to It's business which
e ought to bestow Without a home
ia impossible to show that courtesy
o visitors and to Senators and Rep
OF the people which they
xpect and which the Executive of the
tate ought to extend
Confederate Pensions. |
I recommend increased appropria-
Ions, II necessary, for pensions 70 in
igent and infirE1 Confederate soldiers
nd the helpless widows of such who
ave died. for 1t is our sacred duty to
ee that they should not want in their
ecllning years.
However, the roll Of pensions should
q one OF honor and 1t is an injustice
3 those who are deserving to place
nv name on our pension list who Is J
state Guard.
The military strength of our govern /
rent depends, In large degree, upon :
he efficiency OF the militia of the va !
Ious States Of the Union Z
Our standing army is comparatively i
mall, and the government has pro-
eeded upon the idea of encouraging | /
lie organization OF and interest in mill I
airy companies in the states. With
lis in view. what is known as the
Dick bill was passed by Congress q
wing aid TO the State military organ Z
ations. under certain conditions. Z
l ask your attention to this with q d
lew OF recommending such aDpropria-
on as may be proper to have the State :
uard get the full benefit Of govern
Agriculture.
The Department OF Agriculture
louid ba sustained and further
by such appropriation and .
gislation as may insure the accom- !"
Iishment Of the benefits intended when :
ie Department was created.
While our State has mineral re- =
,urces, some already developed and :
hers undeveioped, agriculture will all Z
avs be its chief dependence.
Therefore Ii should be fostered and =
acouraged n every proper way. !
to live stock Industry the y