Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1908-11-18
4 STATE DEFICIT AND 4 PUBLIC
DUTY.
Atlanta constitutlon.)

With deficit in the state treas
ury approximating 81 900 900 the
next administration viii be confront
sd by the most serious financial sit
uatiou known in the last quarter
century.
This does not include an actual de-
felt which came into existence with
the creation of the common school
system and which has been tided
over from year to year by delayed
payments TO the school teachers.
II the state were called upon next
year TO meet all of its obligations. in
Guiding catching up with the school
fund and inauguration of system
of timely payment of all the teach
ers, il would require the raising of
a fund of at least $1,500,000 in addi-
ton to its current income.
But it is with the new deficit,
brought about by recent conditions,
and which, as State Treasurer r. E.
Park shows, will, at lowest esti-
mate, aggregate $847 900, that there
must be most serious concern, be-
cause there is no way in which TO
meet it, even by a shiftless 'kiting"
system of finance in the employment
Of whie hthe state has already reach
cd its limit
This SS47 900 represents cash eth
/ er taken out of the states income
or added to its expenses, by Iegisla-
ton of the past twelve months.
This is not a situation which the
state has been carrying along for
| years; it is an emergency.
/ More than that, it is an emergency
| for which temporary expedient viii
not suffice, for the state had already
reached a point where it was living
up to its income, SO that the in
| creased expenditures following upon
the loss of more than half million,
creates a deficit that will become
permanent from year to year, until
| steps are taken to meet it.
A quarter of million of this
/ income was wiped out by the prohi-
bition, law. The state still has the
| whiskey, but not the revenue.
/ Another quarter of a million or
more went with the abolition of the
/ convict lease system, wise and
proper step, but one which, never
theless, leaves a financial problem
that must be solved.
| third quarter of million has
| been added by appropriation to the
4
| balance is represented in appropria-
lions made to the state agricultural
college and the district agricultural
schools
No one questions the wisdom of
justice of these latter appropriations,
4 Progress and the demands upon
4 these institutions necessitated them !;
there can be no going backward
here
In fact, it is not apparent where the
4 state can safely or wisely reduce any
of its expenditures save in the one
i feature of coming to biennial legis-
latiye sessions, which, at best will
help to the extent of $4,000 an
nually
I The next state administration must
face the fact that legislation and con-
ditions have brought about situa-
ton wherein the states annual in
come is close to 81 ,000,0 900 less
than its yearly outgo.
Il Something must be done to fill UP
fthe gap, but what?
4 The state has but one source OF
variable income and that is taxa
ton, ad Valorem and specific.
!, AID valorem taxation is limited by
the state constitution to FIVE mills
This source will produce no further
lincome except by amendment of the
constitution, ratified by the people.
Specific taxes are now levied upon
most of the articles and vocations
which justify them, and, apparently
there is little latitude here for the
exercise of the taxing power when
, the amount to be raised is taken into
consideration.
Altogether, therefore, the problem
is as intricate as it is important; its
! solution is essential.
/. It is a situation that calls for the
highest patriotism. Not only the leg.
islators who will be called upon wher
they meet next June to find the rem
edy but the press and the people
. should devote themselves, regardless
of politics or prejudice, to the rescue
of the state from this financial pre-.
dicament
/ 1t is a matter in which every indi-
ividual citizen should manifest a d.
rect and personal interest.
Georgia must not be permitted tc
become bankrupt state.
The way can and must be found
| to avert it.
And when it is, each must lend his
efforts to its successful issue.
/
IL