Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-06-25
ble-Tracking of Railways Owned
by the State Is Urged by Brown.

BFoWn I9lloWS-
To the Genera. Assembly:
Upon your assumption Of the respon-
sibilities Of Legislation for the welfare OF
the people Of this great Commonwealth,
extend TO you a cordial greeting with
The heartfelt hope that our Almighty
Guide will lead your minds into the
channels of wisdom and elaboration.
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 j
believe win enhance the well being Of
the State.
These views affecting the proper use
Of the ballot-the freeman's inherited
right-the safety Of person from dis
ease and casualty, the economical. but
Judicious. expenditure Of the peoples
money and the equitable levyinE 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, I call your at
tention 90 the serious defects and un-
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 90 franchise rights
" the choice Of state and County Of
acers prevails In only less degree
,galnst the voters in the cities. Yet. in
heir municipal elections, the latter are
allowed as short a time as they desire
his limit Is less than 80 days Hence,
earnestly recommend that your honor
able bodies make such changes in the
registration laws as well protect all yot-
ors alike in their proper rights for exer-
cising the franchise.
Under the present law upward Of 90,
90 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 DISTINGUISHED
throughout the State exceeds 75. 900 The
continuance OF the law. as framed, on
the statute book win bring reproach
pom the State.
Farm Credit System.
The farm credit system which has
wrought such extraordinary results for
good to the dwellers upon the farms
in Germany and some other European
countries has attracted wide attention
within the past twelve months in this
country
I attended conference OF the Gov
ernors at tho White House. called by
resident TAFT, In December, 1919. for
ne purpose OF discussing this system,
Experts appointed by the United states
a Government and by the Governors Of
some OF the States are now investigat.
ng this subject In foreign countries
Georgia is represented in this investi-
Ention.
That our people may have direct in
formation uopn this subject. l recon-
fnena that your honorable bodies APP
lOlnt joint committee TO whom shall
he added about three or FIVE other ciu-
ems Of Georgia 20 be named by the Gov
arnor. for the purpose OF securing and
placing before our people the most
available plan Of securing for our far
ners at the lowest rates OF interest such
money as they may need for the con-
luct Of their affairs
When we realize that in Germany a
farmer can borrow money at "A rate OF
interest not exceeding 8 per cent, where
IS Ia Georgia the gross rate paid runs
rom - per cent sometimes to even
q per cent, the Importance Of this sub
iect can be readily realized as being
paramount.
Near Beer Tax Evasion.
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 by
very many dealers.
To prevent excuses for delay in paying
this tax In 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
70 inspect fails IL is more important
that persons detained merely for trial
be properly cared for than that those
already convicted Of crime be treated
Many good women have urged me to
advocate the enactment OF a law pro-
Yiding for the inspection by women Of
oners. ! deem the suggestion a good one
and well In keeping with the demands