Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1919-07-01
Legislative Opportunities.

Speaker John n. Holder of the house of
representatives we'll expressed the people s
feeling when he said they expect the present
Legislature to write {, great deal of impor-
tant and far-reaching history, and would
shower their representatives with praise If
their expectations are fulfilled.
Both the house and senate have manifested
a disposition to take an early start and work
with vengeance in order to dispose OF the
important subjects presented to them Tor
action. Speaker Holder and President Olive
set good example by announcing their
standing committees on the second day of
the session, so as to secure an early start
This Legislature has presented to it an
opportunity to write more important
history than any that has met in Geor-
ga since the days of reconstruction, and
evidently the rank and file of it's members
are keenly anxious to make the most of
important subjects and refusing to have their
time and attention distracted by matters Of
trivial consequence.
Among the subjects of great concern to
all the people are the establishment of a
state highway system, legislation to render
the tax machinery more efficient, amending
the constitution so as to provide for the
levy of a local school TAX, the calling of a
constitutional convention, the establishment
of budget system for making appropriations
the enactment of a and thoroughgoing
system of state banking laws, and uthers too
numerous to mention in detail. IT,
Practically everybody is agreed that Geor-
gia needs great state highway system. The
money to build it can easily be gotten from
motor vehicle licenses with very few objec-
tons on the part of motor vehicle owners. The
counties of Georgia have done their part in a
handsome way by issuing millions of dollars
of bonds to build local highways. What is
now needed is a state network that will
link all the counties and make every section
a 1eighbor to all others.
Regardless of individual differences of
opinion as to what method should be follow
ed, practically all parties are agreed that
Georgia's tax system needs revision. If the
present ad valorem system is retained, it
ought to be overhauled to make it more eff
ficient. 1t is weak in penalties and weak in
it's failure to give the state any voice what
ever in property assessments. If the Legis-
lature decides to discard this system and
adopt a new one, by all means. it ought to
be so constructed as to remedy the defects
existing at present.
Georgia's common schools can never be
made what they ought to be Until every
county imposes tax to pay in part the cost
Of it's schools. To cling to the old and OBJ
solete system of state appropriations without
local aid is equivalent to contending that
OK carts are equal to modern motor trucks
in transportation. There is reason to be-
lieve that the present Legislature will pass
this vitality important measure to place Geor-
gias schools on a par with other states.
Banking law revision has been impossible
up to the present because of constitutional
limitations making the examination of banks
an incidental duty of the state treasurer. Now.
these limitations have been removed, and the
Legislature has before it a thorough and
scientific banking bill prepared by the bank
ers of the state, who propose to pay fees to
support a department of banking that will
not cost the state dollar, and will place
Georgia's banking system in line with
progress.
All of these and many other important
matters are before this Legislature They
cannot afford to let slip their opportunity
for making great history. To let little mat
ters distract their attention would te to throw
away name for themselves in future gen.
erations. w. 70. .s>ss psf. e.