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About The Henry County weekly. (McDonough, GA.) 18??-1934 | View Entire Issue (July 9, 1909)
GOVERNOR BROWN'S MESSAGE TO ASSEMBLY Atlanta, Ga. —Governor Brown’s first i message to the general assembly was presented to both houses Thursday. Governor Brown begins his message by asking the cc-opcraticn of the gen eral assembly in certain matters which Stem to him timely and expe dient. A Constructive Georgia. Governor Brown states that the motto of the state —“Wisdom, Justice, Moderation' —must ever be kept in mind in solving the problems before the general assembly. He says ani mositay and denunciation must be! discarded ard the right to hold indi vidual opinions and to exercise indi- 1 -vidual judgments be accorded to those who differ with us. Moved by tnis *pirit, he quotes from the democratic platform whereunder he was elected, as follows: “We pledge not only to the citizens of this state, but, to clti-| zens of other states, that all capital invested in legitimate enterprise in j Georgia, whether foreign or domestic, I ■corporate or private, shall have the 1 equal protection of the laws and the equal friendly consideration of those, who administer the laws.” He ex plains that tho above words are but aun amplification of the principle enunciated in the bill of rights of the ■constitution of Georgia, wherein it is stated “protection to person and property is the paramount duty of j government, and shall be impartial and complete.” From this he finds the synonymous words “equal” and "iiupartiar’ irt the two mandates which declare the will of the sover eign people and, therefore, esteems "Equality” and “Impartiality” the; Icey-words in the state relationship to the citizen. The governor points out that as ♦here is not sufficient capital in Geor gia to develop the resources of the state, build railroads and to furnish more banking capital, foreign capital must be induced to come to the state, and it must be guaranted protection its principal and protection of itsj power to earn a reasonable income. J He states that the capitalist from outside of the state must have the guarantee that his money invested in | Georgia shall have the same right \ iwhelher invested in public utility cor "porations or otherwise as the Geer '’tgian’s money invested in his o\yn l state —the same, no more, no lest* ; \ 'Governor Brown states clearly that s the full power vested in the execu tive shall be used to protect the peo ple against any unjust conduct on the part of the corporations. Prompt Payment of Teachers. Governor Brown, in his message, jstat.es that one of the greatest draw backs to the advancement of the common school system of Georgia is ,in the manner of paying teachers. .The state is one year behind in pay ing the teachers’ salaries. He pro- j poses that the general assembly sub- j mlt to the people of the state an amendment to the constitution au thorizing the issuance of about $600,- 000 of bonds, the proceeds of which should be used to create a permanent loan fund to be loaned every spring to the school fund for the payment j of teachers’ salaries and returned to; this loan fund in December. Public Institutions. The governor asks that various ed ucational institutions, including the agricultural schools recently estab lished, be properly supported. Labor Commissioner. 'The governor urges the general as sembly, as a matter of simple jus tice, as well as an industrial economy and necessity, to establish a depart ment of labor, where the toiling ele ments of the people may have their interests guarded and their rights pro tected. He says the commissioner of labor should be specially charged with the enforcement of the child la bor laws; it should he his duty to <comptle statistics showing labor con ditions throughout the state and fur xjjah the same to industrial institu tions who desire such information, and, in connection with the attorney general, and in the case of railroad (■employees, in connection with the * chairman of the railroad commission, :»ct as a mediator in disputes between (capital and labor, when called on by either side. T axation. The governor points out that, lin ger the present imperfect tax system, it is imposible to secure uniformity or equality of taxation. He recom mends the enactment of legislation providing a new system of taxation, with boards of equalizers for each •county, and state board of equalizers upon whom shall devolve the duty of assessing all property now required to be returned to the comptroller general, as well as equalizing the as sessment in the various counties of the state. Inheritance Tax. The governor assures the legislature that an inheritance tax law which they may pass will receive his unqual ified approval. Change Time of General Elections. The governor calls the attention of the general assembly to the advisa bility of changing the time of the general election from tie first Wed nesday in October to Tuesday after the first Monday in November, and thereby saving to the people the cost of an election. Biennial Sessions. Yfca governor states that the con viction of the people seems to be that annual sessions result in the making of unnecessary laws and in unneces sary expense to the taxpayers. Public Roads and Convicts. governor Brown points out that the •Diedge of the present administration to place the convicts of the state upon the public roads had been re deemed, in a great measure by the last general assembly. He states that convicts should be employed upon the | public roads or works, and no traf- 1 lie in convict labor should be allow-' ed; frequent inspections of the vari ous camps should be made in order j to prevent, as far as possible, viola-; tions of the rules «f the prison com mission, and feeble and disabled con-; viets should be placed upon a farm for their support and maintenance. I Governor Brown bespeaks careful consideration by the general assem bly of amendments to the convict la bor act of 1908. The operation of the law has suggested to the author ities charged with its execution the necessity of amendments looking to the perfection of the law. Common Carriers. Governor Brown regards it as un fortunate that railroads should have; become the bone of political conten tion in this state, and says: “While j abnormal increase in traffic of several i years ago, due to the rapid growth and development of our state and its industries at that time, had much to do with the inability of the railroads to render proper and satisfactory | transportation services, thereby caus- j ing much irritation to the public, it | cannot be doubted that there were other just causes of complaint on the i part of tho people which could not be fairly attributed to mere increase | in business. Among some of these complaints were the frequency of overcharges and inaccuracies in the freight bills; long delays in the set tlement of just claims; lack of prop er consideration for the interests of the shipper and consignees of freight. Vndoubtedly these evils ought to be corrected. Certainly they should be diminished as far as the regulating power of the state can diminish them. But regulation and correction of evil is quite a different matter from re taliation and revenge. As a matter of fact, neither revenge nor retalia tion should have any place in gov ernment or legislation. It frequently happens that when the people have a just grievance against a public ser vice corporation, it is comparatively easy to arouse public passi/n and prejudice to such an extent that in stead of attempting to correct exist ing evils, they content themselves with punishing the corporation in other ways, and when the pendulum of popular feeling has its force and exhausted its power ifl revenge alone, and the wreck is surveyed, it swiugs back to the other extreme, leaving the real evils uncorrected. I, therefore, suggest to you the advisa bility of providing by direct legisla tion, some fair and reasonable meth od whereby the individual shipper ami consignee of freight may enforce his rights, and obtain redress prompt ly in the courts of the state, for over charges in freight, and for delays in the settlement of just claims. This can be done by legislation providing reasonable penalties for delays in set tling claims. In my opinion, such laws will prove a much more efficient remedy to the individual shipper and consignee, who can bring suits in their local courts, if they prefer, rather than pursue the present indirect meth od of relief through the railroad com mission.” Double Tracking Main Lines. That the state will, In a few years, be able to require the railroads to greatly improve the railroads; to build larger’ depots and more comfortable waiting rooms; to increase their side tracks, add more passenger trains and like improvements; if, the future pol icy of the state be to abstain from unwarranted reduction of rates, i. e., the income of the owners of these railroads is asserted by Governor Brown. He thinks that if the owners of common carriers could be shown that their incomes would not be unreason ably reduced, they would, undoubted ly, double-track their main lines, and thinks it would be w r ell for the gen eral assembly to authorize the rail read commission to confer with the authorities of the main lines with the view of double-tracking them ; vet the governor does not advocate any increase in the rates now in ef fect. It would cost, approximately, $25,- 000,000 to double-track the main lines in Georgia, and the governor esti mates that two-thirds of this amount would lodge in the state. Municipal Control. Governor Brown commends the principle of municipal control of pub lic utility corporations. Railroad Commission. Thte governor calls attentien to Ihe amendment or addition, to the railroad commission law, regulating the issuance of stocks and bonds by common carrier corporations. He states that theory upon which the amendment was founded is, on the j surface, quite tenable, but on exam ination will show that the result will i be the practical stay in railroad build ing in Georgia save in branch or short lines. Governor Brown favors a reduction in the membership of the railroad commission from five to tnree, and the abolition of the offices of special attorney and rate expert to the same. He shows that the commis sion is costing the taxpayers $19,500 a year, and states that the sinieures provided in the amended railroad commission law are too patent to jus tify discussion, hence ho submits the subject to the general assembly with these crucial questions: What has the railroad commission of five members, with a special at [ tcrney and a rate expert done, which a railroad commission of three mem bers composed as under the law could not have done, if clothed with the same powers now existing? If three commissioners (each with qualifications formerly required, and j each clothed with the same powers now conferred upon five commission ers) could have dene during the past two years and can do in future the same things done and to be done by the five commissioners, 'the attorney for the commission and the rate ex pert, why should the taxpayers of Georgia be burdened with the unne cessary salaries now paid to the two surplus commissioners and the two other gentlemen associated with, them? Registration Law. Governor Brown calls attention to serious defects and unnecessary bar rieis in the registration law passed by the last general assembly. No provision was made for registry lists before the general elecNon in 1910. He states that this omission has al ready caused considerable confusion in connection with holding special elections, and unless corrected, will cause more, besides laying serious grounds upon which to question the validity of every special election or dered under its terms. In his judgment one of the main provisions of the law should be amended. It provides that the reg istry lists shall be closed on April Ist of election years, or more than six months in advance of the election. He recommends that this be changed, . o that the interim between the clos ing of the lists and of the elections may be no more than thirty days (be fore general election, special or pri mary elections. As a large majority of farmers and business men do not pay their taxes in person, but by agents or by clerks, the governor says, the present law will practically disfranchise many good citizens. Lobbying. Governor Brown urges the legisla ture to pass laws which will elimi nate lobbying. State Banks. The governor asks the general as sembly to pas-s just but rigid laws to give the innocent depositor, who sim ply deposits his money for safe keep ing every protection he deserves. He states that all penalties for violating the law applicable to banks of issue should be made to apply to every bank chartered under the laws of Georgia, as strict inspection as is required by the federal law for na tional banks should be required for state banks. Game Laws. Governor Brown calls attention to the necessities for changes in the game laws. He suggests that the season for killing game be shortened and limitation be placed upon the exportation of game from the state, as birds and other game, once plen tiful are now scarce and in some lo calities almost exterminated. Fish and Oysters. The governor suggests that the gen eral assembly name a joint commit tee to examine the state laws of Maryland and Virginia and other coastal states on the subject of acqui sition and protection of oysterbeds, with the view to making these beds a source of income to the people and of revenue to the state. He stales that fish laws should be in harmony with the plan to stock the streams with fish and to give them such protection as will cause them to increase. State Military. Governor Brown urges the general assembly to give proper support and encouragement by appropriate legis lation to the militia of the state. As the military schools of the state are important feeders to the military or ganizi**£on of the state Governor Brown suggests that the governor be authorized to commission the princi pals or commandants of such schools as may comply with the necessary re quirements. Confederate Soldiers. The governor points out that it will be necessary for the general assem bly to enact suitable legislation to carry out the constitutional provisions extending pensions to all confeder ate soldiers, and widows of confeder ate soldiers, who are r.ot worth ex ceeding $1,5000. He says care should be token that no reduction be made in the amount paid pensioners enrolled under the existing law. The governor suggests that the general assembly, before passing upon this question, ascertain, through appropriate com mittees, the probable number that will c»me within the requirements of ' the constitution as amended. Governor Brown calls the attention of the general assembly to the con federate cemeteries neaj - Resaca and in Marietta and urges that these hal lowed resting place be kept in such order as befits the affection the peo pie cherish for the heroic ones who braved war’s terrors and died for Georgia’s honor. As further evidence of Georgia’s enduring gratitude the governor urges the general assembly to take under consideration the erection, in the capitol square in Atlanta, of a monument to the memory of the con federate dead. In concluding his message, Govern or Brown says: “I trust that you will allow me to express the high appreciation in which I hold your honorable bodies, and the confidence I feel in the loy alty to our state, and in the fidelity to her constitution which inspires the heart of each member. While you doubtless will differ at times, as to policies, or the application of prin ciples, with each other and with the executive, I feel assured that your and our differences, if such there should be. will be found bordered by a circle within which we can all unite —a circle whereon, written as in letters of gold, we read the words, 1 ‘Love for Georgia.’ ” “Jht cXinbaq-Scfioof INTERNATIONAL LESSON COM meats i on july 11. Subject: Paul’s Second Missionary Journey—The Philippian Jailer, Acts IG.TG-40—Golden Text, Acts 10:31—Commit Vs. 29-31. TIME.—A. D. 52 PLACE.—PhiI- Ippi. EXPOSITION. —I. A Midnight Prayer and Praise Service in Jail, 23, 2(5. This is one of the most inspiring and instructive prayer and praise ser vices on record. (1) The circum stances—in a dark hole, with torn and bleeding and achihg backs, and with a very dark outlook for the mor row. A good time to pray (Ps. 50: 15; comp. Jas. 5:1.3). But it might seem a strange time to sing praises (Luke 6:22, 23, ch. 5:41; Ro. 5:3; Phil. 2:17; 1 Pet. 14:4; Eph. 5:20). Sorrows and aches taken in that way become sweet friends. (2) The time —midnight. There is no better time for a prayer and praise meeting. It might seem as if Paul and Silas would have been better employed sleeping and getting strength for the next day’s trials. But strength can often be better gained by prayer than by sleep. (3) The result —“a great earthquake,” “foundations of the pri son shaken,” “every one’s bands loosed,’’ the jailor and his whole household converted and rejoicing. This land needs a moral eartjiquake. Let us pray for it. There are many prisoners who need to have their bands loosed. Let us pray for that. There is great need of the conversion of whole households. Let us pray for this also. Paul would jtever have gotten a hearing from those prisoners had he not himself been cast into pri son. They were doubtless a' hard ened crowd, more used to profanity and blasphemy than to prayer and songs of praise. 11. The Jailor at Philippi Suddenly and Thoroughly Converted, 27-34. In a moment the brutal jailor becomes an anxious inquirer. He asked a great question. A question every man should ask. Note why the jailor asked it, how he asked it, from whom he asked it. (1) Why: Because he was lost and had been brought to see it and feel i{. The jailor had not been listening with the prisoners as Paul and Silas prayed and sung. He had been fast asleep. But God woke him up. It is a great thing to have God wake us up. He had been brought face to face with death. He had been brought face to face with two holy men. He had been brought face to face with God, and he saw’ himself utterly lost, as any sane man sees himself when brought face to face with eternity and God. (2) How: In deep earnestness. None of the trifling and shallowness charac teristic of so many modern “inquiry rooms” here “trembling for fear, fell down.” Men who ask this ques tion, in this spirit, will soon he rejoic ing as this jailor was. (3) From whom: From men who knew the an swer; from men who knew God’s word (v. 32); from men who were saved themselves. A great answ’er to the great question. But a very sim ple answer. What is it to believe on the Lord Jesus? To “receive Him” or take Him (Jno. 1:12). Take Him as our Saviour who died in our place (Isa. 53:6; 1 Pet. 2:24; Gal. 3:13). Take Him as the One who rose again to he our Lord and King, and to de liver us from sin’s power (Acts 2:36; Heb. 7:25). Again it is to commit ourselves and all that we have to Him (2 Tim. 1:12). Cast yourself upon Him, surrender absolutely to Him, leave all with Him, that is the step that saves a man. But Paul and Silas did not stop with merely telling the jailor to believe on the Lord Jesus, they “Spake the Word” unto him (Rom. 10:17; comp. Jno. 20:31). Here is where many workers make a mistake. They rightly tell people to “believe,” but they do not give them the word about Christ crucified and risen to enable them to believe. It does not take long to get a man saved if he is in earnest. This jailor seemed a hard case. He was brutal, he was indifferent, he was utterly ignorant. But in an hour (v.’33) he had passed out of suicidal despair into the rejoic ing, gentleness and abounding hospi tality of a baptized believer in Christ. Surely there is nothing about the way of salvation that it takes long to tell or long to learn. One hour is suffi cient for the whole business. Note the results of genuine conversion: (1) Transformation from brutality to ten der compassion. (2) Open and im mediate confession of Christ in bap tism. (3) Great joy (R. V.). (4) Generous hospitality. (5) A trans formed home. 111. Paul and Silas Released From Jail, 33-40. In the morning the mag istrates were frightened. They no longer wished to punish Paul and Si lasfbut to get rid of them as quickly ,as possible. The earthquake had set them thinking. But they were not to get rid of Paul as easily as they thought. He was a Roman citizen and they had beaten him publicly and nncondemned. This was a serious of fense. They had beaten him publicly and now they must justify him as publicly. Their former severity changes into utter obsequiesness. They came and they besought and they brought and they begged. They did not hasten their departure from the 1 city. They comforted the young dis ciples before they left. Their impri sonment had turned out to their honor and to the glory of God (cf. Rom. 8:28). The officials were very foolish. They ought to have begged Paul to stay instead of to have gone. The Cause of Many Sudden Deaths. There is a disease prevailing in this country most dangerous because so decep —-j ill I tive. Many sudden Sr*rtiy=l rh deaths are caused ky it—heart dis ease > pneumonia, 1 /til f * heart failure or J , ceil apoplexy are often fhe d(l Z-i! ney disease. 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Swamp-Root is pleasant to take and is sold by all druggists in fifty-cent and one-dollar size bottles. You may have a sample bottle and a book that tells all about it, both sent free by mail. Address, Dr. Kilmer & Co., Binghamton, N. Y. When writing mention reading this gen erous offer in this paper. Don’t make any mistake, but remember the name, Swamp-Root, and don’t let a dealer sell you something in place of Swamp-Root— if you do you will be disappointed. CHAHBERUIKS J COUGH REMEDY iajaoaaaaanaaaaaugaaß3BaaßUß3enaßa CITBE3 Goughs,Colds, CROUP* WhoopingCoiig!] This remedy can always be depended upon and is pleasant to take. It contains no opium or other harmful drug and may be given as confi dently to a baby as to an adult. Price 25 cents, large size 50 cents. ■■l PORATABLE AN D STATION ART Engines AND BOILERS gew, I.nth and Shlnrle Mill*. Injector*. jhinjH and Fitting*, Wood B*trs, Splitter*, ■haft*, Poller*, Belting, Gasolin* Eugin**. LOMBARD, hudi} HmHlu and loHn Works wd Supply Stars, AUGUSTA. OA. fKIULTHECOUGH l amp cmigTHimmss piPiMira mamrnt ■" ,<?<-. J The first of a new type of steam driven taxicabs will shortly be running in London. In place of the motor there is a three-cylinder vertical steam engine fitted under the foot board. while the generator and con denser are placed under the bonnet. Paraffin is used as fuel, and one gal lon will run the cab from fourteen to twenty miles. The secretary of finance. Sener Villegas, stated that the forthcoming Cuban budget would reach a total of $29,000,000, leaving a deficit of $2,- 000,000, which is expected to be cover ed by the receipts from the national lottery. Congress has finally passed the lottery bill, approving all of its articles. CASTOR IA For Infants and Children. The Kind You Have Always Bought S^TurTol
