The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-01-10

n Lne 9LdIc F1ISIOFV.
4 where they come together, will be con-
/ sidered conseryatively and. wisely.
/ | must not be considered as opposing
negro schools. | am merely undertaking
/ to say to you that the state will be bet
: ter served when we can produce more
/ honesty and larger inclination to labor
even, If 1t be at the expense Of the text
I books.
/ An Economical Government.
| 1t is believed that you have the most
economical government in the world. Ex-
| elusive of the appropriations for PENSIONS
schools asylums and interest on the public
debt the total disbursements are less than
20 cents per capita. The four items vary
| greatly in different states and for the
! purpose of comparison l eliminate them.
! These left out of consideration there is no
state government in America so cheap as
/ this one of ours and | believe no govern
| ment covering an equal number of men
in the world will show such a small dis
bursement. The fact Is exclusive of the
| four items, the tax payer contributes
nothing to the support of the state gov
! eminent. The profits from the convict de-
partment alone, as now managed will
more than pay every item of government
tai expenses. This statement l am sure,
Will interest you.
| Alabama National Guard.
The states military arm consists of
| three regiments of infantry and one bat
! TALON each of cavalry and artillery. The
| three regiments are better equipped than
at any time in their history perhaps, and
they make a very magnificent appear
ance. The artillery lacks some necessary
I guns. Speaking of them as u whole-it-
fantry, cavalry and artillery am sure
! that they have never been so well sup
! piled with the mere machines of war.
| They appear to be, and | think are, as
well Differed and show as good dist
! pllne as at any time in their history.
have had occasionally to call out COM
pany here and there and once or twice
/ during my team, several companies. Any
and every portion of the guard has al
ways responded promptly and cheerfully
TO every order given them. l cannot
speak in too high praise of their soldierly
spirit.
In this connection. It is suggested in
some military quarters. that permanent
| camp ground be selected. This would
have its advantages and disadvantages,
but in all probability is the best thing t.
do under the circumstances. One must
ask himself the question. however, If the
advantage gained by permanent mess
| halls and kitchens and water works will
l
smaller attendance on encampments year
after year. The boys, wanting with their
outing, a change. and not getting it, will
| be likely to fall off in inclination and en-
| thuSiasm.
Public Examiners.
| The public examiners now cover the
whole state every twelve months: look
| ing into such matters as effect the state
| treasury alone. Six years ago the coun-
acraH ac fl,ra.n
from the dates of the respective last ex"
aminations. About four years ago the
i present examiners caught up, that is got
to where they could, without taking on
too many purely county examinations,
! cover the whole state, including the sup
F, erintendents of education. a practically
i new field for their endeavor. in one year.
| Since then, practically every county is
examined in the states interests every
twelve months
| I believed that frequent examination
would prove that there were not many
officers who wanted to defraud the state.
| For a greater part they are honest. en-
tirely honest. A poor bookkeeper could
\ explain an error i'm one year. when in
three or four years it might escape him.
| ] learn that officers do not complain OF
J the coming of one OF the examiners. They
are pleased to have their books looked
over as often as possible The examiners
/ have happ finding little rennrt
very much 10 INV satisfaction and To tho
Satisfaction thinl, Of an good citizens
| The WORT, bovever on sta+e matters
makes If almost imnossihle for the ex.
/ aminers 70 on INTO county mattcrs n tnev
, would mako the rounds in ono vear
! If you think this work should be dill
gently pursued as to county funds. you
| ~. 's Vo.ip.eu ~ 80. - i09 SUM- ''"ui-
''oiis 10 'he present ioree'
Tao Tax Law.
! The nresent tag fax is 20 cents on tho
ton The SIM, gathered from, this Source
os.a ,,a,.i,s, az a.,,,o,,sas - ~ se.' -
ment and The nrescrihed amounts ~ CO..
tain schools nsuallv leaves ha1ancs
For the Iast fiscal year If was about s1s
600 II seems TO me that if is time ' tbn