The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-02-04
GOVERNOR NOEL
SENDS MESSAGE
Legislature Is Informed OF
Needs of the State.
A DEFICIT is IN SIGHT,
- - -l.tts f...@ ~
increases Are Recommended in APP
preparations for Schools md Old
Soldiers-Bond Issue Is Taken
Up and Disguised.
A DEFICIT is IN SIGHT

Jackson, Miss, February 3.-(Special)-
Tn a message to the Legislature, Governor
Noel gives carefully prepared statement
of the financial condition of the state,
and cautions the Lawmakers to keep
within bounds in their appropriations.
He says:
This being a special session of the leg
islature, our constitution restricts Its
operations to appropriation and revenue
bills, resolutions, the election of United
States Senator for the unexpired term,
examination into the accounts of state
officers, and such other subjects as the
governor may, in writing. specially SUD-
nit. The subjects designated by the con-
stitution are deemed by 1t of first I'M
portance, and therefore, entitled 10 nrst
consideration, special submissions being
subordinated by being placed purely al
the discretion of the governor.
"About two-thirds of our revenue Is de-
rived from the mill ad valorem levy
The amount accruing from this levy de-
ponds altogether on the assessed value OF
property. The increased assessment oil
last year was about $s,o00,ooo. Next year
and for several years to come, the spread
of the boil weevil in a large part of the
state. and a growing determination OF
certain counties to reduce their assess
ments In order to reduce the excess paic
for schools over what is received, makes
II probable that for a few years there
will be a reduction, instead of increase
in the states revenues, unless new meth
CanSidarinr
these facts, it is imperatively required
that the expenditures of the state snoule
be limited to it's probable revenues, SO al
to avoid a deficit, or bond issue for cur
rent expenses. To do this without in
creasing the state levy, the larger appro
priations must be kept substantially a
the same figures fixed at your session O
1908.
Deficit in Sight.
"As shown by the appendix to my mes
sage. compiled and estimated. at my sug
gestion. by the state auditor at TN
present rate of expenditures and collec
lions, If the appropriations for this yea
and next exceed those of the two pre-
ceding years by anything over $34o,sl2' "
the year of 1912 wifi open with a dehci
to the extent of such increase. If tn
school fund be Increased 100000, the Ag
ricultural High school $4,000 and pensions
for Confederate soldiers 100000, othe
appropriations remaining stationary, mex
wear will close with probable deficit o
| s45e, 1S7.
1.-THE University, Agricultural college
the Industrial Institute and college, Dea
and Dumb and Blind institutes, Soldiers
Home Charity hospitals, insane hospitals
and every other state educational, elee
| mosynary and charitable institution
subjected to constantly increasing de
mands and outlays. To cripple the use
| fulness of any OF these institutions b.
| insufficient uspport would be grievou
error. Unlike the common and hig
schools, none of the other benefciarie
of the states money can receive any sup
plement from county taxation, and
therefore, must prosper or suffer, accord
ing to the measure of the states appro
| priation Small savings, possibly at Tn
| expense of governmental efficiency, VII
not make up for, Justify or excuse suc
| increase of the larger appropriations a
| will result in a deficit, or reduction Q
the usefulness of any department of gov
eminent The financial situation shoul'
| be faced and studied with the fixed pur
pose of providing, by taxation, enougl
revenue to adequately sustain everythin!
| for which the state Is directly respohAi
bic, and to pay. at maturity, every stat
lbbIiEation. Not many years aEo,s but be