Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-06-28
TAX REVISION IS
SLATON'S PLEA
IN MESSAGE
New Governor Also Urges Change
in Criminal Code, AboIishing
Defendants Statement.


SO 1879 600 which falls due in May and
July, 1915
II refunding bonds were issued in
1915. making the first 100000. fall due
in 1885. then the sinking fund could be
made to run continuously and reuTe
each, year. until paid, SlO0.OOO OF inns
series Of 1915 refunAng bonds.
This plan would seem advisable IN
order TO relieve the treasury ana ths
people Of the increased 'buTdeh AZ ms
time unless financial conditions at the
time Of the sale OF the bonds should de-
mand that their redemption begin al an
earlier period in order TO eUeciuate
their more satisfactory disposition.
Leading bond men in financial cen
tiers have stated that II they were GER
titled by some responsible trust com
pany, thus assuring their genuineneSs'
and guarding against their being coun-
terfeited, and II their validity were ap-
proved by attorneys who are specialists
IN this line the expense would be more
than repaid IN the price that could De
obtained. Certainly no safer invest
ment can be afforded than these bonds.
I recommend that through your APP
prOpriate committees you consider al
once the matter Of refundinR the states
Indebtedness above referred TO.
Registration Of Voters.
We believe the present registra-
ton law should be so amended that
qualification by registering, and
being enrolled. he shall remain
registered voter unless disqualified
for cause due 10 himself
The foregoing extract from the last
platform upon which / was elected, ex-
presses a principle which deserves uni
Versal acceptance II contemplates no
change OF the constitution which pro-
vides for the qualification Of the voter
The farmers Of a neighborhood have
duly registered, but the succeeding year
when busy with their crops, they can
not send their taxes 70 the collector by
some neighbor going 10 town, except on
penalty of being DISTINGUISHED.
The travelling men who have regis
tered one year can not send their re-
mittance the next year to the proper
officer, and so II Is with men In every
calling who perform civic duties and
who have overlooked the last day 81
registration. or have been prevented
from registering anew by compelling
reasons. The professional politician
recommend that the present regis-
tration law be amended TO correct the
Injustice indicated II would always be
provided that the voter must have paid
his taxes and not subjected himself 10
any Of the disqualihcatiohs provided by
law. .... .
Highways.
It,is needless 10 impress upon you the
importance Of our highways Ihelr
value is an asset OF the entire state.
An Intelligent Highway Commission, or
Commissioner clothed with proper au.
thority. could be the means OF ,untold
benefit IN suggesting proper methods OF
building the road adapted TO the Local
lty. or In solving the problems OF enBi-
neering which might arise In various
sections
and Atlantic Railroad, the lease OF
which terminates in 1919. No one, / sp-
prehend, would or should consider It's
sale, but the problem Of us dlsposit,,on
with directions to report It's recon-
mendations and its reasons therefor.
To delay this matter will mean TO
put the state az the inexcusable dis
advantage OF unpreparedness when the
time arrives for Imperative action.
The Criminal Code.
One Of the fundamental purposes of
governmeut IL the protection Of life
Of evidence are so shaped as to pre-
vent the discovery OF the truth and II
the state is deprived OF the means OF
sitting the facts, the Judges and juries
are not 10 be blamed II crimes are al
lowed to go unpublished
II Is an anomaly that a defendant
shouif take the stand, make any state
meut that he sees At or that his .shrewd
lawyer has prepared and being immune
from cross examination. demand that
The Judge shall charge the jury that
they may accept his unsworn state
ment in preference 10 all the evidence
IT. the case,
His carefully written statement may
contain all manner Of prejudiced aseer-
tons which constitute no defense. but
the State Is not allowed to disprove or
TO question them The jury Is by law ID
stricted that they may consider them.
Without introducing evidence. in order
that his attorney may make the last
speech he declares that he can prove
assertions by various witnesses, often
disreputRble men, and challenges the
Solicitor General to introduce them. This
can not be done because the state can
not voucr for their character.
l. therefore. recommend that law be
passed abolishing the defendants state
ment, and providing I'm its place that
he be sworn as a witness N he desires,
subject to adverse comment by prose-
cutting counsel This Is in accordance
with current Federal and State law
The legislation in Georgia against car
rying concealed weapons haU in recent
years been conspicuous II has been
suggested by the law OF self preserva-
ton Daily we read Of men who have
on the old statement that the deceased
threw his hand on his hip pocket, and
the defendant shot In fear OF his life
When searched the dead man was found
generally unarmed,
II the carrying OF concealed weapons
were made a felony, subject 10 be re-
duced TO a misdemeanor by either Judge
law would be the saving Of many a
life. ] earnestly recommend TO you
the consideration OF this question
Banking Laws.
The banks OF State perform public