The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1907-01-25
THE GOVERNORS
MESSAGE


terson transmitted to the General A;
sembly today, and published in tAi
y issue of the Banner. will be read wit
interest. and should be carefully rea
by all who wish to Keep informed 4
state affairs OF the attitude Of tn
\ Chief Executive toward vSrious mat
tiers affecting the commonwealth.
v The Governor does not waste an
\ words on conventional lines of in
X PRODUCTION or in sentimental exploita
Z ton, but enters at 'pce upon the pre-
sentatoion of the meters to which h
wishes to invite the attention OF tbs
Legislature. He treats of a number
of relevant subjects and makes mum
erous recommendations, which will
invite specific consideration from time
to time. The purpose OF this article
will be simply and briefly to note these
several suggestions and recommended
tions.
Concerning the state debt the Gov
ernor says it is seriously questioned
whether we are not -etiring the bonds
too fast. but he does not definitely
give his opinion on that question. He,
however, takes an optimistic view of
the financial condition of the state
and favors liberal appropriations with
/ in the limits of the revenue to legiti-
mate objects. avoiding waste or ex-
travagance. He recommends the in
crease of the salaries of Supreme and
other judges, to take effect at the end
of the terms of the present oficials;
urges liberal appropriation to pro-
tect the State Capitol from further
decay, to improve, and beautify the
grounds. and to pre- vide a sufficient
force for keeping the grounds. He
recommends the mchase of home
for the Executive, and also recon-
mends an appropriation to construct
or buy a building for the accommoda-
tion of state officials not now proper
ly provided for in the Capitol.
The Governor recommends an in
creased appropriation for Confederate
pensions If necessary; a sufficient ap.
preparation for the State Guard to en-
able it to get the full benefit of GOV.
eminent aid; the creation of three ag-
ricultural experiment stations, one in
each of the divisions and the encour-
agement of farmers Institutes.
In the interest of education the
Governor recommends the extension |
of the benefits of the Toilet law; !
state aid to counties whose revenues /
are insufficient, to make the salary of
no County Superintendent less than
$500 per year; the abolition of the
office of School Director and the sub
stitution in each county of County
Board of Education of five members
and law requiring County Courts to
divide counties into five school dis
riots, each district to be represent
I'd on the County Boqrd of Education.
He earnestly recommends the appro-
oriation of $25O,oOO for the Peabody
College for Teachers, and a liberal
policy in support the University of
Tennessee.
The Governor suggests the abolish
nent of the Office of Road Overseer
md the placing of the public roads
lnder the control of Board of High
way Commissioners, and he asks that
lie be given the power to appoint
'tate Commission to be known as the
food Roads Commission, which will I,
'e authorized to take up the whole
ub1ect of road improvement and re-
ort to subsequent Legislature. /,
Concerning the election laws Gov.
'atterson recommends that the power
0 appoint Commissioners of Election
e taken out of the Governors hands.
nd that the General Assembly elect
hree Commissioners, to be paid a fix.
d salary who shall appoint Commits
toner's in the counties, which shall :
ppoint a judge and clerk of election,
II to be white and of good character
nd able to read and white. He fur
her recommends that lists Of judges
nd clerks OF election be published at
last ten days before the elections, =
nd also that some legislation be had
'oking to uniformit> of county action
party nominations. He recommends
law forbidding the use of free pass
J and franks by public officials.
The message recommends that the
alters relating to fire and life in ;,
france be carefully considered with
lie view of breaking up insurance :,
He avors the aban-
'nment of the present back tax sys-
m with its agents, and recommends n
e creation of the Office of State Aud
Or, and also that three State Bank
hammers be provided, one for each
vision, the comp Dsation of these