The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1909-10-20

pert accountants who have reported
on the condition of tha state treas
Jury.
/ Mr.. Smith says if the governors
borrowing power was increased to
100000 from 100000 it would
| enable the governor to meet all the
states obligations as they mature in
the spring, and the money to be re-
paid when the tax money begins to
come in late in the fall,
MIR. Smiths Statement.
THE trouble with Mr.. Alonzo
Richardson" says Mr. Smith, lis that
while he is an expert accountant all
expert accountants have not the in
formation required for the duties of
the governors office.
THE blunder which he has made
has grown out not of the work of
an accountant, but lack of infor-
nation upon matters pertaining to
state finances. He did not under
stand that all appropriations were
not due on demand-some one
should have corrected this error be-
fore publication.
He could have made with practi-
cal accuracy statement of all rev.
enue included ad valorem taxes for
1909 due to the state and collecta-
BILE
He could have deducted from the
assets of the state thus shown all
appropriations for 1910. This would
have given the true financial condi-
ton Of the state
The efforts to question the cor
rectness of my statement about the
condition of the treasury have failed.
There were no demand liabilities
upon the treasury January I 1909,
in excess of cash on hand. No prop
er management Of the states finances
can produce an excess of demand liza
bilities over cash on hand January
I, 1910,
Correct statements showing the
amount of taxes due and collectable
for 1909, charged with all of the
appropriations for 1909, would show
balance in favor of the trea-ury
of over $1,750,000.
Now, l am aware of the fact
that there has been delay in the pay
ment of amounts due to teachers in
the rural schools of the state.
Last year the state came nearer
meeting these liabilities as they ma
tured than at any time heretofore.
Favors Borrowing 100000
Warrants had been drawn before
January /, 1909, for every claim pre-
scented by a county school commits
sioner and approved by the state
school commissioner for work done
in the schools during 1908.
No one desires more than I that
the finances of the state should be
so handled as to meet promptly the
claims of the country school teachers
IF the governor was authorized
to borrow 100000 to meet defcien-
cies of revenue during the summer
instead of 100000, and he used this
| power, the affairs of the state, in
telligently handled, could be easily
| financed and all liabilities to teach
ers met during the year as work by
them is done, instead of waiting I'M
til the end of the year to pay up for
services rendered during the year
This would certainly be true if pen
siOns were paid one-half in March
and one-half the last of the year.
Il protest against the effort to
create the impression that Georgia
is a bankrupt"
Not Concerned, Says Governor.
Il am not concerned with any con.
troversy between former Governor
Smith and Accountant Alonzo Rich
ardson over the accuracy of the lat.
ter's recent report on the state treas
ury," said Governor Brown.
The matter of proving or disprov
ing the correctness of that state
ment. the governor continued, 'is
entirely between Mr.. Smith and Mr.
Richardson. | employed Mr.. Rich
ardson to make thorough and ex
haustive examination and report OF
financial matters for my own guild
ance, and not to settle or raise any
controversy. Inasmuch as Mr.. Smith
had employed Mr.. Richardson t.
check the state treasury when Treas
urer Pope Brown took charge, anC
because l knew his reputation 70,
careful and accurate work, I EN-
ployed him. l have nothing more t.
say on the matter -