The leader-enterprise. [volume] (Fitzgerald, Ga.) 1912-1915, 1913-06-30
BANKING Laws.

munity. Any measure which will
stimulate economy and saving on the
part of a citizen is wise, and to do
this confidence in our banking insti-
! tutions should be established.
They perform public functions, and
as such are properly subjected to gov
ernmental supervision. The bankers
of the state, with the desire of main
tanning a high standard of RESPONSE
bility and of affording guarantees
against improvident management, that
imperil the money of the people, rec
ommend legislation looking to the &C.
complishment of these objects.
commend this subject as one worthy
of your serious consideration.
Auditor.
My predecessors have recommended
the creation of the position of state
auditor, and in this recommendation
heartily concur.
No business dealing with the annual
disbursement of six million dollars,
would fail to provide for such super
vision of its expenditures. The leg.
islature constantly appropriates mon
ey to be used in specific way, but
no means are provided for seeing that
the legislative mandate is compiled
with.
When the drain on the treasury is
heaviest, it often happens that de-
mands are made for warrants which
could be delayed if the governor had
the adequate information from an aud.
itor.
His services could be utilized in
checking the cost of new buildings
for which requests may be made by
the various institutions. Those who
have served on the appropriation COM
mittees are aware of the inadequate
facilities of the state in arriving at
the amount of the necessary expendt-
| lures.
Constitutional Amendments.
The Constitution is the expression
of the supreme law of the land. 1t
can only be changed by the people
speaking in their sovereign capacity.
In order that they may vote intell'
gently on any proposition it is essen"
tial that they understand it.
have noticed a growing disposition
to submit amendments for rat1hcat1on
or rejection by referring to the artl'
/ Gle and section of the Constitution,
conveying no intimation to the voter
1 of the question proposed. recon-
mend that in proposing constitutional
amendments, you plainly indicate the
proposition to the voter in such Ian
guage that he may understand the
meaning of the question submitted.
Agricultural Schools.
The agricultural schools are doing
a magnificent work along the lines Tor
which they have been organized. In
this field of education is one of most
splendid opportunity of the state. The
stimulation of interest in them and the
desire to enjoy the opportunities they
afford, would be of inestimable value.
MY predecessor has called attention
to the fact that some OF the schools
are we'll attended, while others receive
little patronage, whether due to the
matter of location, or lack of interest.
or from what cause, l am unable TO
say. Each obtains the same appro-
priation from the state for ma1nte-
nance. l recommend that you investt-
gate their condition, and apply the
proper remedies.
Appropriations.
Allow me to suggest that the Con-
stitution places upon the executive.
as we'll as the legislature, the duty or
squaring the expenditures with the III
come. When the appropriation Dill Is
submitted to him on the last days or
the session, he must either approve
it or call an extra session. II he dis
! approves an item it must be passed
i over his veto, or be re-introduced as
a new bill. | trust you may find 1t
expedient to transmit to me the gen
eral appropriation bill ten days before
your adjournment, in order that 1t
may be considered in the light OF
In, 90 80,
we may be enabled to arrive at some
plan Of solving financial difficulties
that would be helpful to the state.
Conclusion.
In concluding what l have had to
saw in the way of recommendations,
it were needless repetition to recount
the many blessings enjoyed by Geoc-
gians today, which their state never
possessed before. And yet, within the
last few years her citizens through
Constitutional amendments and legis-
lative acts have added heavily to her
expenditures. Their representatives.
with the approval of their constitu-
ents have diverted from the treasury
the enormous sum of approximately
two million dollars. This has been
since the limitation of the taxing rate.
Shall Georgia deprive her children
of their educational opportunities
Shall the schools which teach her girls
the domestic accomplishments and
render home attractive, be closed :?
Shall she be forced to call on distant
states for trained intellects to solve
her agricultural, her technical and sci
entific problems? Shall work on her
roads, with all it's blessings, be lessen
ed? | apprehend no Georgian will per-
nit a backward step.
1t is, however, absolutely necessary
that we recognize the principle OF
economy, and resolutely decline to ap-
propriate more than our income.
Character is as essential as knowi-
edge, and is preferable to generosity,
and to limit our debts to our income
is a fundamental requisite of the
state Even if it means sacrifice for
a season, it will be a wholesome les
son to our citizens, and will empha-
size the homelier virtues that make
a strong, provident and self-rellant
: people. The passing of an approprla-
ton bill without the means to pay 1t
is of no aid to the beneficiary, ana
is not credit to the representatives
; who pass it.