The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-21
PURIFOY SOUNDS
 NOTE OF WARNING Hopes Legislature Will Not Prove Extravagant MANY APPEALS COMING New State Treasurer Hopes Lawmakers Will Do What They Can and
 Then Say eve Have No
 Money"
MANY APPEALS COMING

'"rhe condition of the treasury for a year is dependent on the spirit of tie legislature which convenes in the begin ming of a year"
 This was a statement of Judge John Purifoy, treasurer-elect, who, after spend ing the day in Birmingham, returned to Montgomery yesterday afternoon.
 "As a result of the collections of this month there will be money in the treas ury by January when I assume charge" he continued. Unless the new legisa- ture proves too charitable there will be money on hand for the remainder of the year. But the demands will be as great as usual, and the temptation will be as l great to make heavy appropriations. I have recently travelled much over the state and know that all schools, the pub lie schools, the county schools and the colleges are not only in need of funds, but are preparing to submit petitions to the legislature. It is hoped that the leg islators, after doing what they can, will simply say, We have no money"
 Judge Purifoy holds that between the harborlng of state funds as was done in the Jelks administration, and the heavy expenditures of the Conner administra- ton, there is a golden mean which for the best conditions must be sought and obtained.
 "There is no wisdom," stated he, fin harboring the funds of the state. It is foolish on the other hand, recklessly to appropriate the states money. Affairs must be so regulated that the supply will be sufficient for the demand. That state is in the best condition when at the end of the fiscal year the treasury is prac- tically depleted with all outstanding debts and obligations paid and met"
 There are few more interesting charac- ters in the state than Judge Purifoy. His father settled in Barbour county in 1920 and removed shortly afterward to Dallas There Judge Purifoy was born. At the age of years his parents moved into Wilcox county, where he was reared He attained the position of judge of pro- bate of Wilcox county, and during his administration debt of about $40,00O was liouidated In 1892 he was elected audi tor of the state, and encountered the hard times of 1S9S when the rate of tax ation was raised to the constitutional limit. At that time Judge Purifoy insti- tuted the plan of declaring taxes for the previous year delinquent on January l and subject to interest. Prior to that time tax collectors generally made their settlements in July of each year. Judge ic ut onOp1ndipr tarr of four years as examiner of public ac- counts. He was recently nominated state treasurer by majority of 400O He was a gallant soldier in the army of north ern Virginia.
 "The matter of making appropriations, stated the treasurer-elect, Ifs similar to the creation of a new office. It is sim ply following the course of least resist ance Each legislature is confronted by petitions from all over the state for ap proprlations, and generally in each peti- tion there is merit enough to demand at- tention and interest. There is always a desire to give generously to the cause of education, for instance. But the wise legislature will give moderately, and when there is danger of a deficit will calmly state We have no more money. We are sorry :"
 Judge Purifoy stated that he has re- gently made tour of the state, and that he encountered conditions which make him exceedingly optimistic of the future. He predicts years of plenty for Alabama and a calm and wise admins tration of the states affairs by Govern or-elect O'Neal