The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1917-07-31
GOVERNOR ELABORATES
HIS STATE POLICIES
VARIOUS NEEDS REVIEWED. in
INTERESTING MESSAGE TO
THE LEGISLATURE.
WANTS The GOVERNOR TO
Be NAUGURATED in JANUARY
FavOrs State Ownership of Wharves,
And Urges Study of Western and
Atlantic Extension. Bossism in
State Conventions an Evil

And Urges Study of Western and
Atlantic Extension. Bossism in
State Conventions an Evil
Gov. Hugh M. Dorsey has sent to
both branches of the general assem-
bly, his first message, in which he
recommends some important general
legislation. While a great deal of
ground is covered in the document
probably the most important feature
Is that wherein the governor goes in
to the matter of taxation and appro-
priations, on which he suggests the
creation of an efficiency commission
for the state, which shall put it on
budget system. AS a part of this
program he would have the appro
priations made by the legislature,
when they exceed the income, scaled
and pro rated in the scaling.
Perhaps the most interesting single
feature of the message is Governor
Dorsey's recommendation that the
state begin to lay plans for system
of state-owned wharves along the At
lantic coast, where government-own-
ed merchant vessels after the war
can discharge and take on cargoes.
State-Owned Wharves.
He calls attention to Louisiana's
state-Owned wharves at New Orleans.
to CALIFORNIA; state-owned wharves
at San Francisco, and makes the very
pertinent point that Georgia's har-
bors and Georgia's commerce will
never be developed to the maximum
until wharfage charges are reduced
to a minimum by public ownership
and control.
In connection with the suggestion
of state-Owned wharves and docks he
suggests that the question of extend
ing the Western and Atlantic rail
road to some port where these
wharves or part of them are locat-
ed should be gone into with the ut
most thoroughness. He proposes a
commission of five citizens not con-
nected with the railroad or shipping
interests to investigate the whole sub
ject.
On the question of taxation he pre-
sents the important suggestion that
the legislature ought to pay more
attention than they do to the annual
tax levy; indeed, that the legislature
ought to fix the tax rate instead of
leaving it to the governor and comp
troller general, inasmuch as the leg
islature spends the money.
To Seat Governor Earlier.
The governor holds that the states
chief executive should be seated in
January, and says in his message his
experience since going into Office en-
phasizes the advantages of that
change. To ascertain earlier, there
fore, the result of the general cleo
ton, he says, will require constitu-
tlonal amendment, and suggests that
investigation should be made of the
advisability of including the other
state house officers in that ascertain
ment, and at the same time charges
that it should be determined, in event
of contest, whether the then pres
ent legislature or the incoming legis-
lature should be the active body for
that purpose.
1.-The last state convention respect
ed the wishes of the people as ex-
pressed at the ballot box" he saws.
but he advises abolishing conventions
as system which furnishes a temp
tation for bossism and defeat of the
will of the people.
/ Suggests Law Reforms.
He advises more frequent sessions
of the superior courts of the state
in those counties which hold but two
terms a year, holding that "the iu-
dicial system of the state should be
made uniform" also. He holds that
there is no reason why a solicitor
of city court should put a man ac-
cused of a misdemeanor on trial bv
means of an accusation, and the solic-
itor general be required to obtain
an Indictment" holding there is no
reason, to his mind, why "after a