The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-01-10
Capital City Coal Co.,,
 Phone l35. Quick Delivery.

ly reason why this years schools should not be taught with this years There has been no habit of setting the school money aside or any other mon- ey aside. For years until the latter ones. the treasury has run down at low water to the very bottom and to
 If the State might be considered @ firm or corporation and had gone out of business on December l, the bal sos.4o would have been distributed to fts stockholders. It would have been free of any obligation which could have touched any part of 1t: have been entitled to it as a divi-
 The net balance for the last years business amounted to $s96,s54.9s. That Is to say this amount was received above the disbursements and may be called the years profit.
 I call your attention to number of recommendations in the respective reports of the State Auditor. the State Superintendent of Education and the Attorney General as being worthy of your interest. Copies of these reports will be distributed among you.
 Final Word.
 You may be interested to have, in a word, the more important changes which have come to the State in the last six years or during the terms of the present administration. and the moro important results of the States activities in several directions.
 You have a new constitution. ] place it first In importance. Experi- ence will prove and has proven that 1t will need some amendments, but I class it above all the other blessings of these years.
 You have a uniform text book sys- tenn, which effected large saving to patrons of schools and furnish vastly better average book for the pupils.
 You have now monthly paid teachers, whereas six years ago they were paid quarterly, and this reminds me that the unfortunate men, and women on the pension rolls might get their pitt tance as often as half-yearly, or per- haps quarterly. e
 There has been an increase of real 900 in 1900 to $384,000, 900 in 1906. T
 The years have brought a reduced tax rate. The reduction from 1-2 to '1-2 mills was effected four years ago and has amounted to saving to the tax payers of about $30o.ooO T, a year. .
 The old soldiers have had in six years one and half million dollars more States history. running from $115.O0o in 1900 to $473.000 in 1906.
 The schools have had better support. There has been paid out to teachersytD. this State and from the State treasury alone, in the last six years two and three quarter millions more than the aggregate of any other six years in the States history, practically doubling the amount used in any other six years !
 There has been retired $300,000 of the States debt. The bonds to this amount have been paid and await your committee to burn. The money for this purchase represents perhaps tho first dollars paid out on the State debt since the war.
 Whereas we paid as interest on the public debt in 1905 $44S,sSo, we will pays as interest on the public debt in 1907 $357.65o. Here we have an ac- tual saving of $91,230, and for each of the coming years
 The net income from the Convict De- partment in six years has been $l,2OO, 900 more than for any other six years, running from six thousand in 1900 to $3S4.O00 in 1908 This last sum prob ably amounts to as much as the net aggregate from the same source in the thirty years ending in 1900
 The purchase and payment of addi- tional grounds for an extension of the Capitol site and the building of har- the beautiful old building.
 vast treasury surplus.
 want here publicly to extend my of the uniform courtesies shown me in the conduct of this great off1ce. Not only was the Legislature which pre- ceded you considerate of me in every way, put l nave IlOl WAtn HOlHlHS Dul courtesy from the heads of the execu- tive departments and their clerks dur ing my entire administration. It gives me exquisite pleasure. too, in speaking of them to say that fin my opinion, no more loyal. efficient and patriotic set of public servants has ever surrounded and aided any Governor. My own im> mediate official family has been most exceptional and remarkable. I will re member theirl singleness of purpose and uniform courtesy and kindness always.
 If the administration of the State's 3 affairs for six years has been a success I am only entitled to share in the praise with the heads of the depart ments of the State government, my own, and their loyal force of helpers. You will allow me to express the hope that the stay of each of you in Montgomery may be pleasant; and profitable, as I am sure 1t will be to the State. Moreover, and further, that the days of your after life may fur nish you no regrets for your course here, but on the contrary, that you may be able always to feel that, every day, you rose to the height of your great opportunity and your great duty. William D. Jelks.