The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-03-29
Governor O,Neal's Sneech

Governor ONeal addressed the dele gation as follows:
 Gentlemen-Anticipat from state ments in the press. your visit, and the general nature of your address l have formulated the following statement of my position:
 Representing as governor no partic ular county, district or locality, but he interests of the entire people of the whole state, whose servant l am, am most desirous of that arrange ment of the taxing system that will distribute the burden of the states expenses fairly and equally among those from whom it is raised And I am especially desirous while so doing to oppresS no interest and to offer every encoura cement to the develop ment of our various resources. That a revenue bill, as to the provisions or which practically every interest af- fected had been heard. has not before this time been enacted into law is no fault of this office. Shortly after my Inauguration I submitted. in compliance with the directions of the constitution, a general revenue bill to the legisla- - ture That that bill has met with the delays which cause the present situa- tion is not the fault of this office. T regard the suggestion of 30 or so day recess as one in which there lies not only no relief, but as one which would prolong the anxiety and appre- hension with which the business inter- ests are always in during the pendency of legislation of this character: and as one which, if acted upon, would result 1 in great dissatisfaction. No tax is gen. erally acceptable and I feel confident that the conference committee would be confronted at the end of the sug- gested recess with renewed protests.
 Tn the event this committee should, | as suggested, formulate a new bill. mem bers of the legislature could not be- come familiar with its contents in the remaining day in which 1t would have | to pass both houses and be approved; | and those who were ignorant of it's pro-
 visions could hardly be expected to vote for it.
 q am, therefore, opposed to the sug- | gested recess.
 | 'I am also opposed to an extra ses-
 sion of the legislature, and I do no'
 anticipate one, unless it should be neces
 sary to redeem the party pledges as tc
 local option, in which event 1t would certainly follow While a revenue bill
 is highly desirable, 1t is not absolutely necessary But cutting appropriations or
 making them contingent on the condi-
 ton of the treasury, and possibly by
 abandoning the prevailing custom of as-
 sessing property at 50 per cent of its | value, Sufflclent revenue 10 tneeI liie
 states obligations could be secured.
 "It occurs to me, however. that there
 is a basis on which a bill could be
 framed. The propositions on which the | bill might fail seem to be the insur-
 ance clause, the 50 per cent assessment
 feature and the abolition of the county
 tax commissioners. This last provision
 was embodied in the bill known as the | Pegram bill, which was defeated in the
 house after full discussion. It involves
 radical changes which would make its
 adoption a dangerous experiment. and
 could not be expected to approve 1t
 Neither could approve the provision fix l ing assessable values at 50 per cent o1
 the full value. The insurance clause
 do not regard as so important that It's
 retention would be essential. I think the
 object sought to be attained by the other
 provisions might be reached in diff | ferent way that would not involve so
 uncertain a policy or so doubtful re- suit, and that would be by incorporating
 in the bill provision providing for an | appeal. under proper regulations, from | arbitrary or excessive assessments to
 the state board of compromise or some
 other proper authority If these sug-
 gestions commend themselves a revenue
 bill can be at once secured"