Fitzgerald enterprise. (Fitzgerald, Ga.) 1895-1912, 1911-07-01
Synopsis Of Gov. Smiths
Address to Legislature.

TOOK place at the SLdIo Cdpllol louay
was the address of Governor Hoke
Smith, delivered in the hall of rep
resentatives, in the presence of the
House and Senate, and a gallery
filled to OVERLOOKING with visitors,
among whom were many brightly
gowned women.
Governor Smith, accompanied by
his brother, Burton Smith, his son
Marion, his son-in-laW Ronald Ran
som, and one two other intimate
friends went quietly to the capitol
shortly before noon and met Gov
ernor Brown in the executive offices,
where an exchange of salutatiOnS
took place after which the two gov
errors, one retiring, the other enter
ing upon the duties of office, walked
SIDE by side heading the procession
to the hall. Dr.. Patten of Decatur
pronounced the invocation. Presi
dent John M. Slaton of the senate,
presided over the ceremonies, and
the oath was administered by Chief
Justice Fish Of the supreme court,
after which the great seal of the
state, handed by Secretary Phil
Cook to Governor Brown was for
maIly turned over by him to his
successor.
After this solemn ceremony, Gov
ernor Smith delivered his address,
which is practically a message to
the legislature, asking its co-opera-
ton in carrying out the plans and
reforms for which Mr. Smith has
stood.
After expressing the hope that
tie present session of the legislature
would contribute notably to the
welfare and permanent progress OF
the commonwealth, Governor Smith
referred to the franchise amendment
of the constitution by the 1907
1908 legislature, which he regarded
of far reaching value not alone at
the ballot box but in the solution of
1.-THE race problem. This and the
laws covering the registration of
voters, etc. he commended to the
support of the present legislature,
believing that they might be i'm
proved with the aid of experience,
but urging that no change be made
that would interfere with their
efficiency.
In this connection he suggested
the abandoning Of the October
elections, the formal election of
state house officers to be held in the
November election when congress
men are selected.
The Governor referred to the rail-
road commission law adopted IN
1907 which he said had made it
possible for the commission to
render broader and more valuable
service tO the public. He urged on
the legislature policy which would
not banker the railroad commission
in further discharge Of its duty. He
believed that freight rates to and
from the ports of Georgia to all
interior points in Georgia should be
carefully revised by the commission.
Referring to the convict system
Governor Smith declared the
belief that while many good people
opposed the change at the time,
now at least 80 per cent Of all
Georgians realized its benefits.
He joined the recommendation
for the creation of a state highway
commission, a non political body
whose office would be clearing
house of information and cooper
atfSn for the various counties in
Georgia for their bodybuilding.
He urged the passage at this
session of an anti-lobbying bill. He
recommended the creation of an
audit department. He urged re-
visions which will give the public
school terchers their pay when it is
due. He urged the changing of the
date of the Inauguration of governor
from July to January in order that
the governor, who is required to
manage, to a large extent, the