The leader-enterprise. [volume] (Fitzgerald, Ga.) 1912-1915, 1913-06-30
SLATON ADDRESSES
GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JOHN M. STATIONS INAUGURAL
ADDRESS AND MESSAGE TO
LEGISLATURE.

has discovered new countries, build
ed railroads, united continents, es
tablished cities, founded institutions
of learning and by his faith and cour-
age has proved benefactor of his fell
bowman Never have the people OF
Georgia had greater reason to be
proud of her achievements, nor more
sanguine of her future, than at pres
ent In the exercise of its govern
mental functions it is rendering more
service and contributing more to the
happiness of her citizens than ever
be ore.
Thirty years ago, struggling under
the burdens of the civil war our brave
and patriotic forefathers could hardly
provide more than the protection of
khe courts, with a scanty allowance
for the education of her youth.
For the year 1918. Georgia appro'
priated $2,55O,0O0O0 to her public
schools, of which nearly 100000,
comes directly from the Treasury,
NO larger amount is directly appro'
priated by any southern state, and
almost by no state in the Union. In
those states which contributed much
more than Georgia for educational
purposes the money is raised by local
taxation.
This state has adopted the wise and
humane plan of working her convicts
on the roads in lieu of hiring them to
private parties and receiving the pro
ceeds of their labor into her treasury
Thus she has conferred on rural com
munities immeasurable benefits in
rendering the markets accessible to
their products, has made possible the
establishment of easier intercourse
with their neighbors, has caused the
improvement of their schools, the ia
cilitation of rural mail delivery, and
has enhanced to an Unreasonable eX
tent the value of their lands. 1t is
reported by the United States govern
ment that, in 1911, more work was
done on the roads of Georgia than
any other state, New York alone ex
cepted.
She has established her colleague of
agriculture, and her agricultural
schools in every district in Georgia
where the farmer boys may learn the
dignity of their calling, and the high
abilitx and education which its intel
ligent pursuit requires. With the in
struction afforded along these lines
her citizens are taught the scientific
methods of multiplying the products
of the soil, and of graduating those
evils which have ever menaced farm
life. In the increased production o
corn, in soil examination and the
scientific application of fertilizers, Of
the means for the eradication OF dis
eases of hogs and cattle, our farms
receive a greater charm, and our far
mers larger reward for their labors
The state provides health depart
ment, which supplies facilities for the
prevention and cure of infectious anc
CONTAGIOUS diseases that have threat
ened our less populous sections. BY
means of it's suggestions, those
epidemics which have endangered oul
Oeople have been checked, and theil
health improved and longevity in
creased by expenditure of the PEG
pies money.
And yet, in the enjoyment of al
these benefits we have failed to beal
in mind that for these blessings enjoy
ed by our citizens for the first time
money must be aaid, and we have
overlooked the fundamental principle
the disregard of which means imam
cial dishonor, that our appropriations
must not exceed our revenue. what
ever be the temptation to the wise
citizen to spend more than his in
come he curbs his desires and linn
its his expenditures accordingly. Hf
makes any sacrifices occasloned oJ
the scantiness of his purse. A state
which desires to maintain its credl
and to command the respect OF PEG
ole at home and abroad, can not az
otherwise than observe the course o
every honest man. Besides pens
inst. it is befitting that the state
should set that example to the clti
zen which is essential to his welfare
States Finances.
desire to impress upon you WIFI
all the force that a solemn duty com
mands, that it is imperative for yo'
to make an investigation into the fin
ancial condition of the state, to con
slider the reasons occaslonlng th'
present situation and to take steps
for the immediate correction OF tn
evil It is not the part OF the patrlo
to shut his eyes to danger ana u
rush heedlessly to ruin. Our WIS.,
forefathers statement who never de
parted from original principles bene
ficiaries of the histories and fatal les
SONS of other peoples, endeavored D!
constitutional provision to Safeguard
the expenditure of the peoples money
and in the clearest constitutional
mandate to prevent the incurrence O
debt. They regarded the payment o
public dept as matter OF pup!l
honor, and every Georgian has IN
herited that lofty conception OF pupL
duty. ooo 49,,
provided by constitutional ammend
ments for additional classes OF pur
sioners. or acts were passed in pull
suance of suchi amendments. Whel
the constitutional amendment Imltln
the tax rate to five mills was passe
in 1904, the sum appropriated to pes
sions was 1865, 900. In that year Tn
amount appropriated to public school
from ad valorem taxes, was Sl,ooo
900. 49,,
Now the amount appropriated {
public schools directly from the Urea
sury, is approximately $2,OO0OOO:
While we are are increasing the al
preparations on the one hand, W
have been cutting off revenue on Tn
other hand.
In 1908 the state received rom tn