Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-06-25

sibllities Of legislation for the welfare OF
the people Of this great Commonwealth
I extend to you cordial greeting. with
the heartfelt hope that our Almighty
Guide will lead your minds into the
channels Of wisdom and elaboration.
can not doubt that the people have
shown careful discernment in the choice
OF members Of both Of your houses
hence it is with confidence that I lay
before you the Views which I deem
worthy your consideration, recommends
ing their enactment into laws which ]
believe will enhance the well being OF
the State.
These views affecting the proper use
Of the ballot-the freeman's inherited
right-the safety Of person from dis
ease and casualty. the economical. but
tudlcious, expenditure Of the people,
money and the equitable levying OF
taxes for collecting the same. and other
matters are such as experience and OBJ
servation in the Executive Office have
convinced me are necessary for the pro-
lection Of the people and their progress
on orderly lines
can not refrain from promising with
the statement that the words Justice"
and Equality" are the bases upon
which is built our governmental struc-
ture without justice government is a
mockery, without equality we can not
have a republic. Therefore, II we be
patriots. our life lines. sour ambitions and
endeavors cluster around these fateful
words.
Registration Laws Defective.
First for consideration, call your at
tention 70 the serious defects and I'M
necessary barriers in the registration
law now upon the statute book. The re-
quirement that the registration lists
shall be closed six months in advance
OF regular elections is more drastic than
that in any other State In the Union,
and imposes unnecessary hardships upon
the country people OF this State.
The same barrier 10 franchise rights
or the choice OF state and County Of
hcers prevails in only a less degree
against the voters in the cities. Yet. in
their municipal elections, the latter are
allowed as short a time as they desire
for registration. with some Of them
this limit is less than 30 days Hence, /
earnestly recommend that your honor
able bodies make such changes In the
registration laws as well protect all vot-
ers alike in their proper rights for exer-
cising the franchise
Under the present law upward Of 90
600 white voters In Fulton County alone
are deprived OF the right 20 vote by the
operation Of the law in question. And
the total number Of DISTINGUISHED
throughout the State exceeds $4,000. The
continuance OF the law. as framed, on
the statute book will bring reproach
upon the State.
Farm Credit System.
The farm credit system which has
wrought such extraordinary results for
good 70 the dwellers upon the farms
in Germany and some other European
countries has attracted wide attention
within the past twelve months in this
country.
I attended a conference Of the Gov
ernors at the White House, called by
President Taft, in December 1912 for
the purpose Of discussing this system.
Experts appointed by the United States
Government and by the Governors OF
some Of the States are now investigat-
ing this subject in foreign countries.
Georgia is represented in this investi-
cation.
That our people may have direct in
formation uopn this subject, I recon-
memo that your honorable bodies APP
point a joint committee to whom shall
be added about three or FIVE other citi-
zens Of Georgia TO be named by the Gov
ernor, for the purpose OF securing and
placing before our people the most
available plan Of securing for our far
megs at the lowest rates Of interest such
money as they may need for the con-
duct Of their affairs
When we realize that IN Germany a
farmer can borrow money at a rate Of
interest not exceeding S per cent. where
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from Il per cent sometimes to even
20 per cent, the Importance Of this sub
Ject can be readily realized as being
paramount
Near Beer Tax Evasion.
The law providing for the collection
OF a license tax for the sale of near
beer is so drawn that the payment OF
thls tax mas been delayed or evadcd by
To prevent excuses for delay in paying
tRls tax in future. / recommend that
you place the duty of its collection upon
some Of the county officers with proper
com pensation therefor and also provide
adequate penalties for failure to make
prompt payment
Prison Commission.
would suggest that the Prison Com
mission be given authority and directed
70 inspect lails. ii is more important
That persons detained merely for trial
be properly cared for than that those
already convicted of crime be treated
we'll
Many good women have urged me to
aslvpcate the enactment of law pro-
viding for the inspection by women Of
those quarters occupied by female pris-
oneTs. deem the suggestion a good one
and well IN keeping with the demands
Of actual proprieJy and broad humanity,
and as such commend il to you.
In this competition / win state that 1t
has been PROPOSED in some circles TO re-
store the practice of whipping female
cCnTicts in order to maintain discipline.
! respectfully suggest that such a return
to g practice semi barbarous in its ma
ture would not be in keeping with the
enlightened spirit Of our modern civili-
ZatiCn.
TIE point has been raised in the pub
lie press and I'm some other circles that
the State ought TO allow moderate wages
% ConViCts in the penitentiary. such
wages 70 be PAID TO the families OF
these convicts whose protector and pro-
wider the State holds IN confinement
] scarcely think that we are ready to
take such a step; but In the event Ii be
seriously considered, ] respectfully Sug-
geGt that. iuasmuCh as the convict is
immured because Of his taking the life OF
another or Of some damage done 70
others IL wages be allowed by the
STATE they should be paid mostly. II not
entirely. TO the family whom the convict
mas deprived Of its protector and sup
porter.
Charge to Juries.
Experience having shown that in cap
ital cases trial juries from time TO time
have requested the presiding judge 10
recharge them upon certain points where
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