Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1912-06-27
MESSAGE Of
GOV. BROWN
DELIVERED
TO The GENERAL ASSEMBLY
At the Opening Session We'd
ReSday Morning

Atlanta, Ca, June 26.-A lengthy
and complete message, a summary 0
, principles for which Governor Brown
stands, was read before the general
assembly here today at its opening ses
sion. Governor Brown covered fully
the various points of Importance in tn,
principles which he advocates.
A resume of many of the important
points embodied in the message is Civ
en- herewith in condensed form:
Condition of The Treasury.
Out of profound sense of duty as
head of the state, l call your attention
to the financial condition of the treas
ury. 1t is subject demanding your
closest scrutiny, one calling for patrI-
otic attention on the part of every one
sworn to guard the interests of the
commonwealth.
The attention of your predecessor
was directed to the fact that appropria-
.tions were and had geen exceeding the
revenues. In passing upon your bien-
NAL appropriation bill last year Gov
ernor Smith said;
81 have approved the general appro-
priation bills although satisfied that
the entire appropriations made will
exceed the total revenues of the state
for 1912 and 1913 approximately $780,
900, unless the revenues of the state
are increased next summer. The
state cannot pay any portion of the
100000 increase to the public schools
next year"
When | speak of the condition of
the state treasury | do not refer to
the financial condition of the state.
Georgia is rich and prosperous to an
extent never before equalled; her gov
ernment's basic finances are so firmly
grounded on the wise precautions of
our forefathers that it would be fool
ish to hint at possible bankruptcy, or
even impairment of essential credit.
The state governments tangible, or
for sum more than double its entire
But there is a wide difference be-
tween the financial condition of the
state, as people or lasting govern
ment, and the current condition of the
treasury. One is of permanent, the
other of temporary concern.
The condition of the treasury has
been subject of some controversy
during the past several years; but, ;
shorn of all its partisan aspects and
Possibilities, we all must agree that the
time has arrived when We must act not
in contentious, but cooperative spirit,
to correct the evils that have crept
upon us-evils for which neither of
our departments, or any administration
is solely to blame.
1t is with regret that l report to you
that we have had sufficient funds to
meet only ten per cent of the current
common school appropriation, though
so per cent of it is now due. This is
the lowest on record. In 1911, at this
date, only thirteen per cent. had been
paid The next lowest was in 1910,
when twenty per cent had been paid
and that total payment doubling the
one for this year, was only half the
proportionate amount paid by June,
1904, on the school appropriation of
that year.
This, wish to impress upon you, is
conclusive evidence that our appropria-
tions are and have been exceeding our
revenues.
Further evidence lies in the fact that
the treasury at this time is practically
empty and it is highly probable that
will have to exercise the borrowing
power to procure funds with which
to meet the expenses of your session.
l repeat that this is a subject rising
above any consideration of political
contention.
Registration Laws.
In my annual message to the gen.
eral assembly, June 25th, 1910, and