The Green Forest tribune., 1909-01-22

the Legislature unconstitutional, If this view shall be approved by Supreme Court I am advised that the defects can be easily rrmedied. It Is certainly sound principal that If tho railroads allowed to charge their patrons deInurrage freight left in their care ovet certain time after delivery at place of dPs- tination. inc railroads themselves ought to be liable to thcir patrons for the non-delvery of all freight within reasonable time after de- livery fo them. l recommend. therefore. that you enact suitable Legislation this matter that shall be free from constitutional defects so that the citizens of the State may receive justice from the railroad
 ENLARGEMENT OF POWERS OF RAILROAD
 COMMISSION.
 In accordance with the recommendation Of the last Democratic Convention held in June l suggest that you pass law increasing the power of the railroad commission that in ad- dition to the better regulation and control of the transportation of freight and passengers the road bed. bridges. equipment. depots and all other matters pertaining to in connection with railroads may be regulated and controlled by the commission without the necessity of special legislation and delay in time
 TO MUCH WORK ON STATE OFFICIALS
 The Governor here suggests that too much work is imposed the State officials, declar- ing that there should be seventy-fve men to handle business of three and Il half million dollars instead of thrty-fiye as at present.
 CONNECTS AND GOOD ROADS.
 After deploring the lease system. the Cover nor recommends law forever abolishing the lease system under any form. except directly for the State Counties thereof under the duly appointed agents.
 I recommend that you put one-third of the nble-boded convicts and all of the cripples on the State farm. Let them produce cotton. corn and other farm products and raise cattle and hogs sufficient to support themselves ard the remainder of the conyicts while building roads for the State. Then provide for eoun- ties to utilize the coGvicts in building roads and when making application fer same to work within their territory to receive not less than fifteen fifty according to conditions That in layin gout such road district donations may be received from the citizens adjacent thereto for maintenance of conycts or other expenses.
 Then abolish the present penitcntiary board and allow the Governor to appoint peniten- tiary board of managers. consisting of three members whose salaries will be nomore than under the present system. Make the tenure of office of first long and short terms consist ing of two, four and six years all subsequent appointments to be made for six years. Aboi- ish the office of the Superintendent of the penltentiary.
 Let the member holding the long term he the chairman. The next member selected for the purpose and to six years to be made the Secretary. and the next member whose term shall be fcur years be made the warden whose duty it shall he. with the advice and consent of the other two members to select and ap- point his assistants. Make an appropria- tion W hich in your judgment. after in vestigation. will be sufficient for equipment of camps or other necessary expenditures for the putting in operation and maintenance of the system. Pass this bill in the early part of the session.
 suggest that you make the Penitentiary Commission the Good Roads Commission and make an appropriation of $100o00o for two years maintenance of one Highway Chief En- gineer at $l ,So0.oo per annum: and two assist ants each at S900.00 per annum; and the re- maining S2,so0.00 to apply for transportation and other lesiti;nfte expenses of the Engineer s office.
 TAX COMMISSION.
 After discussing tho principle and purposes of taxation the Governor observes some conru- sion and abuses in our present revenue system and recommends the creation of a State Tax Commission consisting of three members to be appointed by the Governor whose duty it shall be to take charge of the entire revenue system of the State, supervise the administration of assessments and taxing laws. instruct and over see the work of local assessors. direct proceed ings. actions and prosecutions to be instituted. l enforce the laws relative to the liability ard punishment of public officials, corporations and others for failure to comply with the laws, in- cluding local assessors agents of corpora tions, remove such officials for neglect of duty. require town county and other public officers to report information to the assessment or property. investigate tax laws in other states In regard to the assessment and collection of taxes. suggest legislation to the Legislature, to prevent evasions of assessment and taxation. and otherwise secure just and equal taxation and improvement in the revenue system of thls State. The Governor asks for appropriation sufficient to pay the salaries and clerk hire of said commission together with travelling ex- penses in visiting different towns and localities. He asserts that such commission will not only pay for itself but will find and put on the tax book property now escaping taxation from which low rate of taxation would pay one-fourth the expenses of the state government and greatly reduce the taxation to each individ- ual citizen.
 BANKING LAW.
 The Governor discusses the need of a better law for the government and regulation of banks and recommends such law will encourage and upbuiid the banking interests of the State and protect at the same time those whose place their deposits In the bank He asks that the office of State. Bank Examiner be created whose duty it shall be to employ assistants sufficient to adequately perform the service Of Investigating. directing taking charge of when necessary. and in every other manner con- trolling the entire banking business of the State. That for the carrying out this system levied tax each and every bank according to its, average annual deposits for the proceed ing year doing business under the laws of the i State and that the law to be enacted should provide penalties against excessive loans to any persons corporations for reports under oath by banks to the State Examiner and to the mcnts; and additional protection all stockholders should be liable to the deposltors and creditors to an amount equal to their stockholdings in addition to the stock sub
 
 OLD STATE CAPITOL. The Governor gives history of the old State Capitol and recommends its preservation under the direction of the State Historical AssoclG- ton.
 ELEMosYNARY INSTITUTION.
 Suggestions are made concerning the over crowded condition of the Insane Asylum and recommending Il rev hospitai~to accommc da te 25O Datients..z
 CONFEDERATE VETERANS The Governor pays n tribute to the Confed. crate veterans and declares that the Confeder- ate pension roll should be roll of honor and the name of every Confederate soldier, citizen of the State should be honored. The Governor calls attention to remedies that are necessary in the distribution of funds secured by taxa | ton for the of these veterans declaring | that the rate of taxation produces enough money for the necessary relief of all bu. that too many get on the pension roll who are am 1 ply able to live without 1t, that applicants draw pensions who served In the Con 1 federate army and that others often become well-to-do after they get the rolls and con- | tinue to draw support from this fund. He recommends liberal appropriation for the maintenance of the Soldiers Home.
 ENFORCEMENT OF LAW. The constitution of this State in express lan- suage imposes upon the Governor the duty to see that the laws are faithfully executed, | promise you that I shall faithfully observe | this imperative mandate of the organic law The laws will be enforced when an aroused public sentiment demands their enforcement. Ihe hoVefnor hefe appeals Tor that public sentiment and particularly urges amend ment to the law imposing jail sentence of nor l less than thirty days for carrying or selling pistols.
 ! COUNTY CONNECTS.
 The Governor discusses the evil of traficing in the service of county convicts and says: As remedy for this illegal and inhuman system, l suggest that you pass law prohibit l ing any convicts. for any offense s,rving over I six months, Imprisonment county farm or any other compulsatory scrvitude outside of the penitentiary. If any commits an offense | grave enough for him to be confined con vict more than six months. he should be seni to the penitentary where the State prop ] nrly lonb nftnr him and mt tn cnuntY 1arm