The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1914-06-25

of the creation of this school will be
largely effectuated If these inmates are
made content with the rewards Of in
dustry.
This institution is an experiment in
Georgia and is entitled to the earnest
sympathy of the good people of the state.
but the expenditures should be measured
by the progress achieved. At no time
would it be iustifable to make a contrast
between the honest, Woodworking GIRL
and the vicious one living in luxury ard
idleness and supported by the state.
While only $4,000 was appropriated
to this institution, it must be remembered
that more than four million dollars of
taxable values are required to produce
this amount. The constitutional limit is
five mills and collection costs per cent. /,
desire to call your attention to dis
crepancy between the books of the treas
urer and the comptroller-gen arising
from the law authorizing the department
of agriculture to draw money directly
from the treasury. This prevents bal
ance between the books Of the treasurer
and comptroller-general in the fiscal sys-
tenn of the state. / think this should be
remedied by legislation and request that
the matter be investigated by appropri-
ate committees of your body.
Auditor.
again beg to call your attention to
the necessity for the creation of state
auditor. SO far as / am aware, Georgia
is the only state which has no official
whose duty it is to examine the various
books of the state with reference to the
expenditure Of money appropriated by
the legislature.
IT. is impossible for the governor to
keep check on the several institutions or
determine their requirements. No money
should be drawn from the treasury ex-
cepting when absolutely necessary. So
long as the money lies in the treasury the
state draws 2 per cent interest, but if it
lies in bank to the credit of any depart
ment the state receives no interest, and
its ability to borrow in time Of need is
lessened.
There can be no wiser provision than
constant and efficient checking of all pub
lie Expenditures. The recommendations of
such an officer to the appropriation CONF
mittees of the legislature would be inval-
liable and the money spent would be far
more than compensated by increased
economy.
Parole Law.
In large proportion of cases in which
have granted clemency it has been upon
the recommendation of the judge and So
licitor- general, who have been convinced
that justice would be served by the exer-
cies of -executive clemency.
The parole law is as binding upon the
governor as any other law.
1t is not the number of cases in which
executive clemency is exercised, but the
character of them which merits approval
or criticism We have conservation of
lands and forests and material resources,
but the conservation of human beings is
the most essential of all
So long as the effect of punishment is
preserved, the release and reclamation Of
the criminal are in accordance with the
demands of humane civilization Many
are in the convict camp who would make
good citizens if released, and it requires
the exercise of painstaking care and dis
erection to wisely exercise the power of
the governor as vested in him by the con-
Stitution.
submit herewith, in accordance with
law, those cases in which have exercised
clemency.
OFFICIAL Reports.
beg to call to your attention the re-
ports of the various departments and
institutions of state The heads of these
departments are familiar through expert
ence with needed corrections and / COM
mend them to your careful investigation.
Contingent Fund.
There are many expenses which by
custom have been paid from the contin-
gent fund. / think each department
Should pay its own expenses of operation
and the contingenk, fund be utilized only
in cases of necessity where provision
could not be made. In this way economy
would be encouraged and the needs of
the departments be known to the legis-
lature
w. g. A. Railroad Lease.
The committee appointed in accord
ance with resolution adopted by you
at the session of 1913, with power to in
veStigate and report regarding the leas-
ing of the Western & Atlantic railroad
will make its recommendation. Com
posed, as it is, of men of the highest
patriotism and experience, commend
their recommendation to your serious
consideration. 1t is needless to comment
on the permanent Importance of this
question and the extent to which its cor
rect disposition will affect the entire
state.
Land Titles.
The national government is interested
in the matter of rural credits, and legis-
lation will likely be passed providing for
loans to farmers at rates that will permit
investments in lands, with consequent adj
vantage to the agricultural interests of
our state. An essential prerequisite to
such plan is security in land titles.
The law should provide an easy and
inexpensive method of affording evidence
that the titles of agricultural lands are
good and unincumbered. In many cases
it is impossible to give this assurance in
Georgia today. While the Torrens sys-
tenn may not be practicable in Georgia, l
commend the subject to your considera-
ton, in order that this state may be pre-
pared to take advantage of such litiga-
ton as may be passed. Congress has
recently passed a law allowing loans on
land as security, and large part of the
expense may be eliminated by providing
a better system of land titles with con-
seqHent reduction of expense to the bor-
rover.
Conclusion.
/ shall from time to time present such
other communications as conditions may
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