Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-07-02
GOVERNOR BROWNS
INITIAL MESSAGE
Continued from Page One.

| OOULluuGu dGG S1Cs
mis- money invested in Georgia shall
have the same rights. whether invested
! in public utility corporations or other
wise, as has the GeOrgians money In
vested likewise in his own state-the
same, no more. no less.
The people of Georgia ratified the
above pledge that the guarantee of
! the organic law of this state is the
: guarantee of it's citizenship: and 1 have
: full confidence that every law you en-
/ act. every resolution you pass, will
cheerfully confirm 1t as the judgment
and pledge of your official and per-
! sonal manhood.
| 1t would be unfortunate should public
utility corporations misinterpret the
spirit of a constructive conservatism
approving n fair and just treatment OF
their interests. as license authorizing
hurtful Determinations, or the exaction
of unjust tariff rates. Fair treatment
by the state OF these artificial persons
carries reciprocal obligation of just.
impartial and courteous public service
which brings it's own reward in the
creation of a generous public favor the
safest shield against hostile laws; while
a service Indifferent to the rights. needs
and comforts of the people is sure to
bring about those oft recurring periods
of anti-corporation activity, resulting
in harsh and retaliatory measures that
rarely fall short of vindictive reprisals.
/ We should, however, not lose sight OF
the fact that corporations are but the
property of people: and that besides
those of our fellow citizens (voters)
] and citizens of other states who exer-
else directly the powers of ownership
there are upwards of 1000 Georgia
women, 700 estates of deceased Geor-
gians and so educational and eleemosy-
nary corporations. among which are
one asylum for blind children, several
orphan asylums, several endowed hos
pitfalls, colleges, church funds, and the
like; in other words those who are the
wards OF the very conscience of our
: civilization, thus making IL imperative
| that discernment be exercised in the
application of the laws, yet, corpora
lions. II must be said. are not without
blame for public sentiment in regard
to their acts; hence, it is proper to
state clearly that the full power vested
in the executive shall be used to pro-
tect the people against any unjust con-
duct on the part of corporations.
PROMPT PAYMENT OF TEACHERS.
One of the matters of greatest con-
Germ to the future welfare and pros
perity of our state is the proper sup
port and maintenance of our common
school system. While 1t Is by no
means a perfect system, we should
not lose interest in II, but should care
fulIv adopt such means and plans as
NAV be necessary for its betterment
One of the greatest drawbacks is our
manner Of paying the teachers. The
state is one year behind In making
these payments; that Is to say, IN the
main. the money for paying teachers
salaries for this year Will not be col
lected until the latter part OF Decem-
Maid into the
treasury.
The teachers are faithful servants or
the people and should be paid with the
same regularity as the state paws all her
other officers. All agree as to this propo-
sition. It has been before the public Tor
many years, with the result that our
teachers have received fair promises, but
not prompt payments They alone nave
been denied the benefits of that key-word'
equality" II does seem to me that the
application of a few business ideas might
relieve the situation and accomplish the
desired end The teacher alone, of'an the
officers of the state, is required 10 dis-
count his or her salary account against
the state, and lose from eight to twenty
per cent. This is a great wrong upon
these officials, one that no fair business
man would perpetrate upon his employees.
I suggest that we take at once the neces-
fund. and pay every public school teach-
err in Georgia his or her salary monthly.
II is impracticable for us to, collect In
one year the necessary sum from taxa
ton and accomplish this result. and IL
would be almost criminal for us to stop
the schools Of Georgia to enable us to
catch up with our funds
What then must we do? What would
first suggest itself to every business man
that calmly considers this condition,
should he be confronted with like condi-
lions In his own business affairs? He
would at once take necessary steps to
raise the money by use Of his credit. l
propose that we handle in like manner for
the state and for the teachers, the situa-
ton that now confronts u.s. and utilize the
credit of the state to relieve the condi-
ton. The general assembly should pro-
pose, and submit to the people of this
state an amendment to the constitution
authorizing the issuance of about 100000
of bonds, the proceeds Of which should be
used to create a permanent loan fund to
be loaned every spring to the school fund
for the payment of teachers salaries, and
returned to this loan fund in December
when the taxes are collected. This fund
should be sacredly guarded, and should
not be used for any other purpose, so long
as the necessity for such loan fund exists,
and should IL cease to exist, then let the
fund so raised be applied 10 the payment
of the valid bonded indebtedness of the
state. The state could raise this money
upon a per cent basis. When not in
use the repositories would pay sufficient
interest to reduce the cost to the-state to
2 per cent. The bonds so issued might
be retired in few years, at the rate Of
$4,000 per annum, without the necessity
of any increase in our tax rate.
Under this method the fund will be
protected by a constitutional provision,
and the prompt payment of teachers will
be absolutely certain. In other words,
Il win place such loaH fund beyond the
power of diversion, either by the general
assembly or the executive. Should you,
| however in your wisdom adopt some 9TH
er practical method by which the same
result may be secured, II will receive my
| hearty concurrence.
PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS.
All our public institutions should be
properly supported, holding in mind, as
we do, the object for which they were es-
| tablished, and the duties we owe to HUI
/ mainly and to education.
direct your attention especially to the
needs Of our various educational institu-
lions. including the agricultural schools
recently established. The latter mark a
| distinctively progressive move in me mat
| ter of industrial education, which has at
| tracted attention and comnendation from
the best teachers of the world.