The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1907-1917, 1913-09-11

applicable for the two succeeding
years. Appropriations are likewise
made every two years and are pro-
Jected ahead for period of two
years. The treasurer's reports show
that for the year 1911, the appopria-
lions exceeded the revenue by $780,
600 and that for the year 1912 the
appropriations exceeded the revenue
by $472, 900 and that for the year
1913, though as matter of fact the
levy or fixing of the rate for 1913
has not yet been made, the appropria-
lions are expected to exceed the reve-
nue. by $349,000. This represents
the State as being in arrears with it's
creditors $932,OO0.
If the present legislature succeeds
in cutting appropriations for 1914
" and 1915 to such an extent as that
the appropriation will not exceed the
State revenue, the States embar-
rasS'nent will net be increased, but
this will be the only benefit which the
people will receive by an heroic slash
ing of the appropriations for the two
succeeding years.
Now what is Georgia going to do
about it? What are you going to do
about it? Is Georgia going to send
her governor into the money mark
cts to borrow the limit, 100000
upon the representation that there is
deficiency in revenue, temporary
deficit, due to necessary delay in
the collection of taxes for 1918,
when the Official report of the treas
urer says that the deficiency "repre-
sents the amount of appropriation in
excess of revenue?" Who can recon
Gle the conflict between these state
ments? The governor today, August
IA, 1913, has just been authorized
to borrow 100000 upon the false
pretense that there is a temporary
Geliclt Of revenue due TO a necessary
delay in the collection of taxes for
the year 1918. Was any State on
earth ever cursed with such stupid
and quixotic conduct of it's public af-
fairs?
This is the States attitude. 1t is
seeking to borrow, or soon will be
seeking to borrow 100000 with
which to pay part of an accumulated
deficiency of $932,000 due to appro-
priatiOns made in excess of the reve-
nue-at the same time representing
that there is a temporary deficiency
OF revenue due to a necessary delay
in the condition of taxes for 1913,
and the governors authority will be
based upon a law passed before the
tax rate for 1913 was lawfully fixed.
Who is going to lend the State mon
ey under such conditions? What good
will it do the State to borrow today,
pay back tomorrow, and go broke day
after tomorrow? This is a new style
of frenZied finance. 1t will be just as
good for the States credit and just as
satisfactory to it's creditors, if the
State will borrow 100000 today
lock the money up in a vault and re-
pay the loan tomorrow. The State
would still owe $932,00O.
The situation is critical. The State
is in danger. 1t is in imminent peril,
but not to any temporary deficit
caused by delay in the collection of
taxes, but if the truth must be
known, due to a series of humiliating
facts that must be recounted at an
other time. Gov. Slaton is an able
and distinguished lawyer-under-
stands the Constitution and the
States embarrassment. He is meet
ing the duties of his offico braveIy
and intelligently, but ne cannot legis-
late, he cannot lobby, because the
Constitution defines specifically his
relation to legislation, he can only
recommend. The accumulated
achievements of ignorance and in
competency have brought the State
to the point where it must speedily
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