The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-15
NEW LAWS PASSED BY
GEORGIA ASSEMBLY.
Past Records in Lawmaking
Are Surpassed
SCHOOL BILL IS GOOD ONE
Office Is Created By Legislature TO
Handle Cattle Trade-New State
Code Is Adopted By the
Legislators

Atlanta, August 14.-tSp ecial 1.-The
general assembly which adjourned this
week passed a total of "a general laws
in the shape of bills and resolutions,
not including the usual formal resolu-
tions relative to its own organization
and adjournment.
This is rather an unusual record IN
point of numbers, as 40 to 90 general
laws Is somewhere near the average
but there are comparatively few OF
them which are of far-reachlng I'M
portance. They were largely depart
mental and appropriation bills which
are of no widespread general effect.
Possibly two of the educational bills
passed will prove of the most oenenclai
effect One of these is the amendment
to the constitution permitting coun-
ties to levy taxes for the support OF
high schools, thing which the coun-
ties are not allowed to do under me
present system, and there are no coun-
ty high schools save where they are
supported by private funds. The state
itself makes no appropriation for high
schools, and the measure which pro-
l
But when the amendment is ratified as
pertains to counr1es they may estao :
fish them and maintain them by local
taxation.
The other educational bill was that
which permits the county school boards
to borrow money for the prompt pay
ment of school teachers, thing which.
under recent decision of the supreme
court they did not have the right 20
do. This will prove of beneficial ef-
feet in some so counties where now the
teachers are made to walt for much
of their money for several months after
Ii has been earned. because of the fact
that the state is behind in its pay
ments.
New Office Created
The only new official position Gre
nted by this legislature was the Of
fee of state veterinarian. Under the
present law the state department OF
agriculture has been engaging the SER
vices of veterinary surgeon whenever
they were called for or needed In any
particular locality and remunerating
him according to the work done. This
work will now be attended to alto
gether by the state veterinarian who
will be under the department of agri-
culture and who Will go wherever his
services are needed.
The final adoption of new state
code and the provision for the print
ing of 1t was another important act
and one which will no doubt prove
. of great value TO the state, tnasmuch
as no state code has been published
| in the last 16 years
In the establishment of new institu-
. lions the most notable thing the legis-
| nature did was to provide for a state
tuberculosis sanitarium, which has been
| located at Alto, on the Southern rail-
way, a short distance northeast of
| Gainesville. At the first session of this
general assembly the Institution was
| created and given $4,000 to start on.
| At the present session 1t was given
$4,000 more with which to complete
its buildings and to provide equipment.
There Is no question that this insti-
tuition will gradually grow until it is
one of the most valuable and largest In
the state.
Pension Office Continued
The continuation of the office of
commissioner of pensions was neces-
sary action, inasmuch as 1t expired un-
der the present law in 1911. The new
law passed at this session continues IL
for 10 years, or until 1921. Every
year the work of the office has in
creased instead of decreasing. When 1t
was first instituted Georgia paid about
4 $500 900 In pensions; now her pension
IA roll with the service pension law re-
N Gently enacted, put into jffect, Is APP
approximately $1,200000.
81 The most notable legislation affect
N ing the public morals was that which
#prohibits betting on elections. 1t is
q now made a misdemeanor to bet on AMI
"a election held in the state from pres
ident down to constable. The new law
X will at least have the effect of doing
away with the publicity given to bet
Eting, such as the posting of wagers
81 on elections in public places, as was
done here a few weeks ago In con-
nection with the Brown Smith race fol
the governo--hip. 1t will hardly serve
TO curb the gambling spirit, however