The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-01-17
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THE AGE-HERALD !

lows,
To tho senate and mouse of repre-
sentatives: Having full confidence in
your fidelity, patriotism and wisdom,
we. in assuming our several duties,
you as law makers, and I, as execu-
tive, take upon ourselves grave and
solemn responsibilities: The peace.
prosperity and happiness OF the peo-
pie of this great state whose servants
we are depend in a large measure
upon the laws you enact and the FL
deity and faithfulness with which
they are executed. We are, therefore,
humb1ed In the presence of this great
responsibility that goes with our
commission to lead this great state
during these days of reconstruction
period. We should approach these
duties with a feeling CT fairness to
all, having in mind the good of our
commonwealth and the betterment.
OF our race.
In my opinion, no general assem-
bly, ever convened in Alabama under
more favorable circumstances. There
are no party differences, no bitter
ness in our ranks, no vital issues
upon which we are divided. but leg
islator and executive alike come with
united people behind them, and
your actions and deliberations will
be watched with eagerness and ex-
pectancy, and hope reigns in the
minds and hearts of our people.
We are entering upon duties preg-
nant with almost divinely imposed
responsibilities. 1t is indeed a great
honor TO be called into tho service of
our state; great privilege and an
opportunity for service to mankind.
We assemble at a time when history
Is to be made. The gigantic conflict
OF the World war ended, 1t is true.
but not without leaving in its wake
saddened homes, wounded manhood,
national Indebtedness, financial sys
TENS of other nations destroyed, mar
kets closed to our products, causing
our material interests to suffer, and,
1t Is but natural that our people look
to their representatives with hope.
You are the picked and chosen men
of the sections from which you come,
vested with the sovereign law max
ing power, and upon you in some de-
gree depends the realization OF the
hopes Of the people whom you repre-
sent, and in you they repose implicit
trust and confidence; the people have
faith in you, and government by rep
resentation is principle not new,
and perhaps is the best system in ex-
ole. knowing the people, n sympathy
with the people whose confidence you
nave earned, I feel that you will
without fear give expression in the
laws you make to their aspirations
and their calm and deliberate judg-
ment When this Is done laws will
be respected. laws will be obeyed
and our people contented and happy.
We have gone through a period OF
distress, many problems are to be
solved; economy in government must
obtain. duplication and unnecessary
expenditures must be prohibited; tax
payers must receive in value what
they contribute to government.
1 feel confident that you will meet
the expectations of those who have
chosen you and that you will so leg
islate as to make every dollar spent
bring returns in citizenship in devel-
oping cur rural and farm life, in edu-
eating our people, in stamping out
disease. in establishing industries, in
quieting agitation and making all
classes feel that they are all one
common brotherhood, and prejudice.
selfishness and parsimony are laid
upon the altar of our country for
the good of all.
My distinguished predecessor has
laid before you the affairs of the
state during the past four years. His
experience during a, period of recon
struction Is worthy OF your thought,
and l commend it to your careful
and earnest consideration.
The War
Our state made record second
to no state in the American union
in the World war. From field and
e. off nd
tory and mine went the flower of
our citizenship and maintained for
Alabama her traditions and her his
tory. No Drawer or more chivalric
band than our Alabamians ever
marched to marshal music or Shout
dered a gun in freedoms name than
did the sons of our own state. Many
did not return, but they left a his
tory for their people that will live
through all the ages. We owe to
those who did return, to take
UP again the duties of life, every
encouragement, every opportunity
for their development, for their ener-
gies and start them in every field Of
endeavor that Will bring our state
to its widest field of usefulness. We
should favor them in every possible
way and make them feel that CRATE
full people welcome them back home.
believing that they, in peace, as well
as war, will measure up to the true
standard of manhood. and will, with
unity OF purpose and action. plant
our flag upon the pinnacle of sue
cess.
The Budget System
The budget system as created by
my predecessor is wise. 1t should be
continued. Economy In government
is as necessary as economy in pri-
waite affairs. In my opinion, to the
present budget commission should be
added the examiner of public ac-
counts. Before appropriations are
made the income of the state should
be ascertained and no appropriation
should be made in excess OF such in
come. 1t is obvious that If appropra
tons are made beyond the Income of
the state. liabilities incur. and in
debtedness follows, and taxes are
anticipated and certain claims re-
main unpaid. 1t occurs to me that
We should, as soon as possible as
certain what revenues have been
anticipated, what our outstanding
claims are unpaid, what monies are
in the treasury, what the revenue of
the state will be, and after ascertain
ing these facts, only make such APP
preparations as will be within the
income. Thus it will be seen that
the state will live within it's income,
and trust funds will not be used for
purposes other than those intended
The business of the state is now in
your hands; let us get our bearings
by knowing definitely our financial
status and then apply the remedy
This will enable us to stop waste
duplication, extravaganza and give
the taxpayer knowledge of where
his monies go.
To this end, I ask that the legisla-
ture obtain from the budget commits
sion or such other source as they
deem prudent, a statement that will
n a 10 m