Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1919-05-27
Priceless Records mberiled.

In his report and recommendations to the
Legislature, which will be submitted at the
forthcoming session, Judge Henry B. Strange,
the secretary of state, again directs atten-
ton to very important matter which has
often in the past been the subject Of urgent
recommendations and newspaper comment,
but which is deserving of constant repetition
until the Legislature sees fit to take the nee
essary action.
Georgia's records and achives in the Ufice
of the secretary of state imminently in
danger of being lost on account of the ex-
posed and dangerous condition in which they
are kept, and the loss if sustained will be one
that no amount of money replace.
Lying on open shelves, exposed to dust and
atmospheric changes, liable to destruction by
fire at any moment, are all the records OF
the land grants of Georgia. These records
constitute the foundation of the entire struc-
ture of land titles within this State. Originally
the State owned all the land and parceled it
out in the form of land grants, which are
recorded in musty volumes going back to the
earliest Colonial times. Land titles trace
from these recorded grants down through the
"chain of title" to the present time.
Were the land grant records to be de-
stroyed by fire, every land title in Georgia
would be clouded. Forged and fraudulent
''land grants would probably spring up like
a crop of weeds, and the State would have no
possible method Of checking these spurious
documents with the record for the purpose Of
exposing their fraud Even with the records
where they are, fraudulent land grants are
frequently cropping up.
Besides the land grant records, the office
of the secretary of state contains the original
acts of the legislature going back to the orig
| inal general assembly. These records like
wise are indispensable. Their historic inter-
est alone entities them to preservation and
| protection.
Many of the ancient volumes are in con-
dition of bad repair. The bindings have come
| to pieces and the leaves of the books ex-
tremely fragile because of their age. Lying
on open shelves, without protection OF any
sort, they are a prey to dust, exposure, rats
and decay small fire starting at night in
the office of the secretary of state would
very probably destroy the entire contents,
shelves and all, before it was discovered. That
which was not burned would be ruined by
water
Secretary of State Strange recommends
that the old and worn volumes be carefully
rebound; that the entire collection OF price
less records be placed in steel fling cabinets;
that an up-to~date and efficient system of in
dexes be made.
It j. not a question whether the State can
afford the expense required to safeguard
these records The amount of money in
voIyati in the transaction is Of NJ consequence
whatever The State can not afford to neg
lect them any longer, whatever the cost. An
| issue Of bonds expressly to provide them
would be quite justified, were 1t necessary.
The forthcoming Legislature will assume
very serious responsibility II it allows the rec
ords to stand exposed another year.
| Our idea of 2 man whose enthusiasm is
| still fresh is he who still attends his frater-
nifty gatherings.