Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-06-26
Double Tracking of Railways Owned
by the State Is Urged by Brown.


Brown follows.
To the Genera. Assembly:
Upon your assumption Of the respon-
sibilities Of legislation for the welfare Of
the people Of this great Commonwealth,
extend 10 you a cordial greeting. with
the heartfelt hope that our Almighty
Guide viii lead your minds into the
channels Of wisdom and deliberation. ]
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 lay
before you the views which deem
worthy your consideration. recommend
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 freemsn's inherited
right-the safety Of person from dis
ease and casualty. the economical. but
judicious, expenditure Of the peoples
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. our ambitions and
endeavors cluster around these fateful
words.
Registration Laws Defective.
First for consideration, call your at
tention TO 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 TO franchise rights
rrr the choice Of state and County Of
ncers 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 to vote by the
operation Of the law IN question. And
the total number OF disfranchised
throughout the State exceeds rs 900. 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
] attended a conference OF the Gov
ernors at tho White House. called by
President Taft. in December, 1912. for
the purpose OF discussing this system
Experts appointed by the United States
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, ! recon-
memo that your honorable bodies ap-
point joint committee to whom shall
be added about three or five other citi-
Eeus 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
mers 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
farmer can borrow money at rate of
interest not exceeding per cent. where
Is IN Georgia the gross rate paid runs
from Il per cent sometimes TO even
20 per cent. the Importance Of this sub
1eot can be readily realized as being
paramount,
Near Beer Tax Evaslon.
The law providing for the collection
OF license tax for the sale OF near
beer is so drawn that the payment of
this tax has been delayed or evaded bv
very many dealers
To prevent excuses for delay in having
this tax I'm future, / recommend that
you place the duty Of its collection upon
some OF the county officers with proper
compensation therefor and also provide
adequate penalties for failure 10 make
prompt payment
Prison Commission.
would suggest that the Prison Com
mission be given authority and directed
g inspect lails- Il 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
advocate the enactment Of a law pro-
vidtng for the inspection by women OF
those quarters occupied by female pris-
oners. deem the suggestion a good one
and well In keeping with the demands
Of actual proprieJy and broad humanity,
ard as such commend IL 90 you
In this connection ] viii state that II
has been proposed I'm some circles TO re-
store the practice of whipping female
cpnvicts in order TO maintain discipline
REF pecuuly suggest that such a return
to a practice semi barbarOus in its ma
tune would not be Ia keeping with the
enlightened spirit of our modern ciyili-
"a ton
Tie point has been raised In the pub
lie press and In some other circles that
the State ought to allow moderate wages
% convicts In the penitentiary. such
wages 70 be paid 20 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 1 respectfully sug-
geat that. inasmuch as the convict is
immured because of his taking the life OF
another, or of some damage done to
others. II wages be allowed by the
entirely TO the family whom the convict
1nrsrfvraT of ACT NJ