Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-07-02

on his side.
We should abstain as far as possible
] from restrictive legislation; for the true
democratic idea is that the citizen shall
have the greatest possible freedom, SO
long as 1t does not interfere with the
rights of others. The law ought not as
sumo, as restrictive legislation such as
this does, that practically all people are
corrupt.
1 agree that the purity of the ballot Is
one Of the bed-rocks of our institutions.
Drastic legislation along this line tends
to defeat its own purpose. and to aug
ment the evil aimed at. The venai per-
son who makes of his franchise an ar
ticle of trade WILL for selfish reasons.
be on his guard and get in position to
deliver his vote. But the honest farm
er, mechanic, laborer or business man.
| interested in his own business. usually
neglects to register until the stress of po-
litical contest impresses him with its i'm
portance To require that all register
six months before the election would
have the effect of enhancing the import
ance Of the corrupt voters, as the bulk
| of them will take pains TO qualify, while
| many honest citizens, through excus-
, able neglect, will be excluded from the
exercise of the ballot
The registration law affects every citi-
zen. The laws against felonies and
who commit the crimes. Why
should the citizen in the exercise
of his highest right be presum-
ed a criminal? Election laws should be
aimed at the corrupt voter, and should
not in their operation impair the power OF
the honest voter in the exercise of his
| right as a free citizen.
LOBBYING.
I trust that you will not ignore the de-
kof I0Fln xyfraup
shall cease, and urge that laws be
/ framed which will rigidly enforce the
will Of the people, as is so plainy ex-
pressed in our constitution.
STATE BANKS.
State banks are indispensable. They
have become one OF the greatest factors
| in the development Of our resources. No
prosperous city or town can very well
handle its commerce without a good
strong banking institution, through which
1t may transact business with other
cities and towns.
| Just but rigid laws should be enacted
so as to give the innocent depositor, who
simply deposits his money for safekeep-
| ing, every protection that he deserves.
| The enactment and enforcement of rigid
banking laws will not only protect the
depositor, but will greatly increase the
| deposits in all such institutions. All zen
banks of issue should be made to apply
| to every bank chartered under the laws
of Georgia, and we should require as
strict inspection as is required by the fed
eral law for national banks.
GAME LAWS.
I respectfully call to your attention the
necessities for changes in our game laws.
Birds and other game, once plentiful are
now scarce and in some localities almost
exterminated.
Besides preserving them as game, we
must hold in mind that birds are mans
best protectors against the insects which
do damage to fruits, garden and field
CROPS II has been estimated that insects
would render the growing of some classes
of products an impossibility II the birds
were exterminated.
It would be better to shorten the season
for killing game, and limitations should
be placed upon the expectation of game
from the state.
FISH AND OYSTERS.
Our laws as to fishing should also be
! in harmony with the plan to stock the
streams with fish and to give them such
protection as will cause them to increase
rather than become extinct. sf
And upon this line suggest that joint
committee be named by the general as
sembly to examine the state laws of
Maryland Virginia and other coastal
states on the subject of acquisition and
protection of oyster-beds, with the view to
making these beds a source of income to
our people and of revenue to the stase.
| Our coastal waters are as good for the
propagation of oysters as are those or
other sea-adjolning states; and IL they,
notably Maryland and Virginia, derive
large annual revenue from this source, 1t
would be well for Georgia to do the same.
STATE MILITARY. I
In the language of our constitution, "a
we'll regulated militia being essential TO
the peace and security of the state, 1t
is the duty and should be the pleasure OF
the general assembly to give proper sup
port and encouragement by appropriate
legislation to this important part Of the
state government.
In this connection I beg to call your at
tention to the various military schools
in the state. These schools are important
feeders to the military organizations OF
the state and should be recognized by
such appropriate legislation as will make
them a part of the system. This may be
done by authorizing the governor to COM
mission the principals or commandments
of such schools as may comply with the
necessary requirements
CONFEDERATE SOLDIERS.
It is a source Of congratulation that
your predecessors, in conformity with the
Democrats platform of 1908, enacted leg
islation whereby we have returned to an
nual payment Of pensions to Confederate
soldiers.
II will be necessary for the general as
sembly to enact suitable legislation to
carry into effect the constitutional pro-
vision extending pensions to all Confed-
crate soldiers, and widows of Confederate
soldiers who are not worth exceeding H.
500. In providing pensions for this new
class care should be taken that no re-
auctions be made in the amounts paid
pensioners enrolled under the existing
law Before passing upon this question
I suggest that your bodies, through ap-
propriate committees, take the necessary
steps to ascertain the probable number
who will come within the requirements OF
the constitution as amended Inveseiga-
ton on this line will prevent the recur-
renee of delays in payments which have
heretofore attended the addition OF new
classes to our pension rolls.
1 respectfully call your attention TO the
Confederate cemeteries near Resaca and
in Marietta, which our state has accepted
as the wards of her future care. These
hallowed resting places should at all
times be kept in such order as BELTS the
affection our people cherish for the heroic
ones who braved wars terrors and died
for Georgia's honor.
As further evidence of Georgia's endur-