Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-04-06


90 well to dispose of its executive
mansion. and get something more in
accord with the present necessities
OF the state and the real purposes Of
the tax payers?
100000 All That's Needed,
Win 100000. the state might ac-
pulte a home for its governors that
| would compare fayOrabIy with the
homes OF other governors for years
10 come-be modern and up-to-date.
OF sanitary construction. and in "A
residential section 1t may be thai
such home could be secured for
less
For Illustration. however. if the
present home is worth $500, 600 ana
II 100000 were spent for a new
home, there would be a balance 10
the credit of the state of $500. 600.
Al per cent interest. the income on
llat would amply provide for the.
upkeep Of the mansion.
Inc hgures might be reduced The
new home might be provided and It's
upkeep allowed for, and still leave
handsome surplus in the states
treasury.
These details should be. and would
be, adjusted nationally and equitably.
or course. Georgia would want a
the best
Before the present governor moved
into the present structure, it was
necessary to make il habitable at
an expense of $4,000. Although he
has been there only a short while,
It viii be necessary again to spend
a large sum of money upon II. I'm
order to put it in shape for his
successor.
Impossible to Repair.
The building is old. ramshackley.
and patching does not stay putt
is like an old pair of trousers. worn
out and shabby and unengaging APP
pearanCe. even If of pleasant and
hallowed memory. that darning and
patching have done their best for.
and to which it is impossible to hang
anything more by way of improve
ment or rehabilitation
The incoming governor is to live
in the mansion. He feels that he
should. And people generally will
think that he is right so to feel
The mansion is the mansion, after
ail-and such as Georgia provides,
Georgia's governors will accept and
not grumble!
Nevertheless, is it not true that
Georgia ought 10 be more or less
ashamed TO ask John NJ. Slaton and
his charming and accomplished wife
TO move into such a structure as the
mansion undoubtedly is, particularly
when there is no earthly chance of
making it remotely what il should
be?
And that, too when the situation
might be remedied at an absolute
and positive profit TO the state?
Those are questions many Geor-
CLANS are asking themselves nova
days, just as they asked themselves
the same questions with respect 20
Joseph NJ. Brown and HOke Smith
before him
There isn't a state in the South
that houses and provides for its gov
errors as shabbiIy al Georgia does.
The governors salary, to begin with,
is ardly-S5,00o per annum
This is less than dozens of cities pay
their mayors.
Amid city's Racket.
Even AT that. however. if he were
given "a decent home to live i'm and
sufficient sum for the upkgep
thereof, the various comparisons
might not be So emharra ssiug and
discreditable to Georgia.
As the matter stands today, Geor-
gia's governor must live I'M the hurry
and noise of the business center of
Atlanta. i'm an ancient and arChi-
teCtuTally horrible structure. insgni-
tary In plumbing, unsigatly to the
eve. untitled in modern COnN enieuCes,
and the butt of numerous visitors
ridicule and sometimes suecring con-
tempt That the executive mansion
has been mistaken time and again
for n third rate boarding house is
not I'm the least surprising
The legislature that is coming into
service next summer surely Will TAX
I'm hand the question of providing
Georgia's governors, regardless Of
whom they may be or whence they
come. with a home suitable and
worthy Of Georgia. in a home sec
ton of the city. far from the mad
ding crowds ignoble strife where
they may feel that Georgia is mind
ful OF the dignity Of the high office
they hold. and the desirability of
quarteriug them where that dignity
MAY be maintained with poise and
I'm circumstances in accord with the
natural and Commeudable ambitions
of those called to the chief maEistry
OF the state.
Tho legislature of Georgia IFS the
custodian Of thu states conscience,
Of its purse. and of its peoples dear
est trust II NyiII make Tu mI~take 20
rrarpaEIug ua0u the theory that the
raoure of Georgia desire neither a
Craap governor nor cheap and
ustraeG-up home for his temporary
sufaurr iu the capital as the official
head Of the state.