The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-01-10

T e for consideration. and am sure tha any legislation you may see fit to pas touching it, or both races where the, come together. will be considered con
 I must not be considered az oppos ing negro schools. am merely under taking to say to you that the Stat will .,,o be ,et better served | when we we eal ,a clination to labor, even, if 1t be, at tn expense of the text books.
 An Economical Government. ~
 It is believed that you have. the mos Exclusive of the appropriations fo pensions, schools. asylums and inter est on the public debt the total dis bursements are less than 20 cents pc capita. The four items vary greatl, in different States and for the purpos, of comparison eliminate them Thes left out of consideration there is n, State government in America SO cheal government covering an equal numbe of men in the world will show such small disbursement. The fact is, ex elusive of the four items. the tax payel the State Government The profit. from the Site Convict Department alone as now managed, will more than pa, every other item of governmental pur, poses. This statement, am sure, will interest you.
 Alabama National Guard.
 The States Military arm consists of three regiments of Infantry and one The three regiments are better equip ped than at any time in their history perhaps. and they make very magnf- ficent appearance. The artillery lacks some necessary guns. Speaking of them as whole-infantry. cavalry and ar tlilery-I am sure that they have nev- CT been so well supplied with the mere mechanics of war. They appear to be, and think they are, as well-officercd and show as good discipline as at any time in their history. I have had oc- occasionally to call out company here and there and once or twice during my term. several companies. Any and ev- cry portion of the guard has always re- cry order given them. cannot speak in too high praise of their soldierly spirit.
 In this connection. 1t is suggested in would have its advantages and but in all prob Ddar a6sy tbs the bese thng nss to d9 ask himself the question. however. if the advantage gained by permanent mess halls and kitchens and water works VII more than compensate for the natuarally smaller attendance on year after year. The boys, wanting with their outing. a change, and not getting 1t, will be like ly to fall off in inclination and entIu- siasm.
 Public Examiners.
 The Public Examiners now cover the whole State every twelve months; looking into such matter as effect the the counties averaged as many as three years from the dates of the re- spective last examinations. About four years ago the present Examiners soSid. sS' without pi t' taking h on % toe many many purely county examinations. cover the whole State, including the Superintend- snts of Education, practically new Since then, practically every county Is examined in the States interests every twelve months.
 I believe that frequent examina- many officers who wanted to defraud the State. For greater part they are honest, entirely honest. A poor book keeper could explain an error in one year. when in three or four years 1t do not complain of the coming of one ,f the Examiners. They are pleased to nave their books looked over as often as possible. The Examiners have been inding very little to report: very much 10 my satisfaction and to the satisfac- ton I think of all good citizens. The work, however, on State matters, makes It almost impossible for the Examiners would make the rounds in one year.
 If you think this work should be pursued as to county funds, you will be compelled to provide some additions to ras sns Rsssens R"a nawo Tor'''
 The present tag tax is thirty cents on .he ton. The sum gathered from this source after paying the expenses, of he amoSn9s to certain schools che ususy caves a balance. For the last fiscal year 1t was about $1S.000. It seems to ne that 1t is time the tax was reduce1 Q the actual cost of inspection: an9 he fund, be cared for as other schools gre. either by direct appropriation, or put of the general. schol fund; It must 1ot be understood that think ag they On the contrary . think they should be given, with all other estab- ished schools, ample support
 In the event the tax IS sG fedueeo then you would have to provide Sa spec" al appropriation for State exhibits at fairs and other advertisemerts of the States resources. In the past few months the Commissioner of Agricul- he had right to do under the law, and with my approval, $12.500 for the as- of county and individual ex- hibits at two State Fairs, which Fairs
 
 farmers of Alabama.
 State DepositOPies.
 The plan of keeping a large sum or money in the Treasury is subject to criticism. The balance of the past fis- cal year. many times and for weeks and months, stood around two million dollars. It is a great care. and be- sides. and what Is more important, II a bill calling for State Depositories was introduced in one of your bodies. which had my approval It failed to become a law. Had 1t passed, provid- sis, the late bond sale would have been at a better figure. You will have an to vote on a bill provid- Ing for State Repositories at your pres ent session. I unqualifiediy advise the drawn. In this connection I am minded that the constitution does not allow the loan of the states funds This clause seems now to be unfort- unate.
 In this connection 1t might be well to require of insurance companies do- ing business in the State, deposit with the State Treasurer of State or government bonds, as. in some sort, a security for the Insured in Alabama.
 Immigration.
 Some practical plan should be put on foot looking to the attraction to Ala bama of desirable immigrants. Some thing has been done in the last year or two by the railroads. land companies, factories and furnaces. The State gov ernment, while willing to do what 1t could, had no funds at its disposal. received during the past four years like ten thousand home MIIlINNHINlRlDNIINIt l||I|lIN|IIlIIlNIII