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/ As Bead to Both Houses of the General Assembly. THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE MAKES MANY RECOMMENDATIONS, And Advises Reforms In Various Hranches of State Government. The fall message of Governor W. Y. Atkinson, to the general assembly, read to both houses Monday, was as follows: MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL. ASSEMBLY : In obedience of official duty, it is my pleas¬ ure to communicate to you such information aswill aid in the discharge of the important trusts confided to you, and to make sffch sug¬ gestions and recommendations as, in my judgment, will promote the interest, of the stato. Fortunately for me, in tho perform¬ ance of this duty, the reisjrts from the depart¬ ments of state, made to mo in conformity to law, aro so thorough and comprehensive that by transmitting them to you, which I will do, I place you iu possession of such information that it is unnecessary for me to enter into an extended statement covering the subjects so ably discussed in these reports. I call your special attention to each of those, and ask that you give duo consideration to the recom¬ mendations of these'thouglitful, painstaking, ‘and faithful officers. It is a source of groat gratification to my¬ self, and it must be to each of you, that you convene at a period in tho history of our state when wo ate enjoying the blessings of Provi donco in fruitful harvests. I rejoice that tho worst of tho torriblo financial panic which has boon upon us is over, and am confident we can look forward to an ora of prosperity. While tho cotton crop of this year is not so largo as wo had liopo for, tho unexpected good price and tho largo yield of corn, poas, pota¬ toes, rico, and other food crops, places the people of the stato^in bottro condition than they have been for years. COTTON STATES AND INTERNATIONAL EXPOSITION. Tho offort of somo of tho public-spirited and enterprising citizens of this stato to hold this year a groat International exposition, which was/it first regarded as an audacious un¬ dertaking, has lieen brought to n happy termi¬ nation. In its arrangement, variety, and pro¬ portions it excels any exhibition of tho re¬ sources and achievement of tho American people (with tho exception of the World’s Fair at Chicago) which has over been made, aud will bring to Georgia visitors from every quarter of tho globe, whoso impressions of our pooplo, our civilization, our rosorcos, and out inviting fields for investment will id tho near fiitmo greatly advance oor growth in industries, population and wealth. STATE EXHIBIT. Realising tho importance of this great event, at your last sossion you mads an ap¬ propriation which you di roc tod to bn used for the purpose of making an exhibit of Georgia’s resources at tho Cotton States and Intornn ional Exposition. Tho duty of expending this money and making the proposed exhibit was imposed by you upon Hon. R. U. Harde¬ man, state treasurer; Hon. J. M. Terrell, attorney-general; Hon. G. K. Glenn, state school commissioner; Hon. W. A. Wright, Comptroller-general; Hon. R. T. Nesbitt, conuniseionei of agriculture, and upon my¬ self. The board solectod Hon. W. S. Yeates, state geologist; Hon. Goorgo F. Pnyno, state chemist, and Hon. Robert J. Quinn, assis¬ tant school commissioner, ns honorary mem¬ bers, each of whom has rondorod us valuable aid without compensation. Mr. George W. Kelly was eJoctod as assistant to the commis¬ sioner of agrilcnlture, who was tho executive officer of tho board, and Mr. E, M. Durant was elected ns socret.nry. With this forcowe under¬ took to do the work entrusted to us, and feel a just pride in the magnificent exhibit, made by tho stato. At an early period in our work we became convinced that tho sum appropriat¬ ed by tho state would not enable us to make so comploto an exhibit of all the resources of the stato as wo felt it was tho duty of the state to make on such an occasion. Fortunately some of the public-spirited and patriotic cit izeua of the state, who aro interested in manu¬ facturing, same to our aid. AVith their ap¬ proval amd co-operation a convention of the maunfacturors of Georgia was called to meot in the hail of the house of representatives. Tho convention was largely attendod, and as one of the results thereof money was raised, and a special building erected at the expense of the manufacturers themselves, in which you will find the exhibit of tho Georgia man nfact.urm*. The variety, character, and ex tont of this oxhioit must inspire the pride of evoiy Georgian, and when taken in connection with the exhibit made by tho stato board, places Georgia before tho world in a most en¬ viable light. Those who come from abroad to visit this great exposition, and views Geor¬ gia’s resources bb exhibited in the state building and In tho Georgia Mannfaturcrs’ building, will leave us with a higher esti¬ mate of the resources and capabilities of our state and the character and achievements of onr people. Tlie influence of the exposition and of tbo state's exhibit will be of incal¬ culable value in directing to Georgia a vast amount of capital which tho revival of busi¬ ness will causo to seek safe and profitable in¬ vestment. COMPTROLLER-GENERAL'S (REPORT. The toport of the comptroller-General pre¬ sents a number of interesting facts. I call your special attention to two tabulated statements auanged by him, the one showing the value of tire different, classes of property in 1879 and in 1895, and the other tho value of the taxable property of our colored population during each of the years within that period: 1879. 1895. Otty and town real es¬ tate-.......— •—............ $49,007,286 $116,311,095 Agricultural lands ------- 90,493,822 120,872,615 Llvo stock............ 21,017,6S4 21,174,682 Farm implements 2,971,372 4,754,651 Household furniture..— 9,156,404 15,165,146 Merchandise------------- 12,012,755 31,056,175 Mtoney, etc ................ 25,513,005 17,419,116 Cotton factories——— 1,640,000 9,684,286 Iron works, etc. 295,640 968,333 Bank capital............. 4,667,567 18,098,686 Railroad property. 9,866,129 39,952,572 STATEMENT OF PROPERTY RETURNED BY COLORED TAXPAYERS FROM 1879 TO 1895. 1819 $ 6,182,39? 1880 . 5,764,29? 1881 . 6,478,951 1882 . . 6,589,876 IRS3 . 7,582,396 1884 . 8,021,528 I88» » i:'l . 9,163,390 1886 ....... 8,655,29? 1887 ....... 8,936,479 1888 ...... ....... 9,631,271 1889 ....... ID, 415,3710 1890 ....... 12,322,003 1891 .. ....... 14,196,735 1892 .. ....... 14,869,575 1893 ....... 14,960,675 1894 ....... 14,387,730 1805 ....... 12,941,230 The tax returns for the present year show a loss of nineteen million dollars of valuation as compared with the returns for the previous year. While this is to bn regretted it is scaice ly to lie wondered at when we consider tho depressing effect of tho panic upon business and property values everywhere. THE NEED OF A NEW ASSESSMENT LAW. In reference to the value of property as shown by the comptroller general’s report gathered from tax returns, it is my duty to say to you that it does not approximate the real or market value of the property of the citizens of the state subject to taxation. Un¬ der the present system of making tax returns, outside of where the returns are affected by local assessment, systems of towns and cities, each man is his own tax assessor and places u[X)n his property such value as he sees fit, even himself in many instances confessing that tho amount at which it has been returned by him for taxes bears no approximate rela¬ tion to tlie real value of tho property. While the legislature nominally fixes the tax rate for tho state to be collected from her citizens, each citizen lias the power to fix his own tax rate, and many of them do fix it at an unjust¬ ly low rate by placing a value upon their property far below its value and on a scale much lower than that by which the property of their neighbors are valued. The man who pays taxes upon property unfairly valued at $500 while on property of the same value his neighbor pays on $1,000 islowering his owntax rate one half, depriving the state of its just revenue and placing an unjust burden upon his nonest neighbor who values his property correctly. I most earnestly recommend that some plan he devised by which tlie state can arrive at somotliing I iko a just valuation of the proper¬ ty of its citizens subject to taxation and pro¬ tect the man who honestly returns his taxes against impositions from those who return their property at an improper valuation, It is well to bear in mind that any plan which you may adopt, will when put in practical operation prove imperfect, but as the defects appeur it will be the duty of your successors to correct them and continue to perfect the law. Certain it is that no system which can bo adopted can be open to greater abuses or more flagrant injustices than tho law under which our property is now returned for taxes. A proper plan for assessment of property for taxation will not only equalize values but placo upon the tax books a vast amount of personal effects which now escape taxation. In connection with this recommendation I de¬ sire to suggost that you authorize the comp¬ troller-general to prescribe and furnish to the tax collectors and tax receivers of this state such books as in his judgment should be kept by them and to prescribe rules directing how those books shall be kept. This will enable him to require tho business of the state con¬ ducted by each of those officers to be conduct¬ ed in a systematic and businoss-liko manner and will result in a large saving to the state. TREASURER’S REPORT. Tho report of tho ttato treasurer will give you ample information as to the conditions of our finances. By reference to this report it will bo seen that under tho law enacted by your honorable body at its session in 1894 pro¬ viding for tho quarterly payment of teachers that the treasury will have a severe strain to bear. The payment soon to bo made will re¬ quire tho treasurer to 8dvanco to tho school fund about four hundred thousand dollars. I respectfully suggest that your finance com¬ mittee make close inquiry into the effect of this groat draft upon the treasury and that such legislation as may ho needed for its re¬ lief if any bo enacted. STATE DEPOSITIONS. Soon after coming into offico I undertook in conformity with the acts of 1878 to make an arrangement with the various depositories providing for the payment of interest upon the public funds entrusted to them. As a result of this effort I consummated contracts with all of tho banks but two, which two resigned rather than pay interest, which contracts pro¬ vided for the payment,of interest at. tho rate of two per cent on daily balances from March 1, 1895, to March 1, 1896, to ho paid semi-an¬ nually. I am informed by the state treasurer that the amount of interest due the state for the six months, ending September 1, will ap¬ proximate eight thousand dollars. It must be borne in mind in this connection that the provisions for quarterly payment of teachers, which is a wise and proper one, has largely re¬ duced the state’s deposits in its various de¬ positories, aud for that reason tho income from this source can bo nothing like so large as it would otherwise have been. It is grati¬ fying, ho wove r, to know, notwithstanding this large decrease of deposit, that within the first six months I have been ablo to make for the state tho sum of oight thousand dollars from this unexpected source. I respectfully suggest that the law providing for state depositories be so amended as to remove all doubt that may exist in tho mind of any one as to the power of the governor to appoint a successor when he is unable to agree with them upon the rate of interest to bo paid upon the state’s deposits. SALE OF 3 1-2 PER CENT BONDS AT A PREMIUM. Under the provisions of the act approved De¬ cember 18, 1894, 499 five hundred dollar bonds on the Northeastern railroad indorsed by the state were deposited with the treasurer to be exchanged at par for the new three and one half per (tent bonds to bo issued under said act. Fortunately, however, for the state, these new three and one half per cent bonds were, when offered for sale, sold to the Columbus Savings bank at a premium of 11-100 per cent for each five hundred dollar bond. To have sold a bond bearing three and one half per cent interest at a premium during such a financial stringency, is an event in our his¬ tory of which all Georgians may wel l be proud, and speaks volumes for the high standing of our state in the commercial WOT Id. The sale aif these bonds enabled me to discharge our obligation on tho Northeastern railroad bonds which had one year to run and weTe bearing interest, at 7 per cent. ;ht annum. The saving to the state in tho difference between 7 and ;j j.v per cent, for tho period that those 7 per cent bonds were to run wits tlie sum of $8,155. PROCEEDS OF SALE OF BONDS. From the following statement of the stato treasurer you will see what disposition was made of the proceeds of these bonds: R, U.HARDEMAN, TR..IN ACCOUNT WITH PROCEEDS ARISING FROM SALE 3 1-2 PER CENT BONDS. DR. To amount received from sale 3 1-2 per cent bonds $287,063 80 To amount received 3 1-2 per cent bonds not issued in my hands ...... 3,000 66 To amount received from R. K. Reaves, reciever Northeastern rail¬ road................................... 2.SOOOO $292,863 46 CR. By amount paid holders ol bonds and ooupons $281,374 SO By amount paid proclamations tor t sale railroad snd bond transaction 2,346*29 By amount paid engraving, printing and express charges................. 827 46 Bonds in my hands not issued and premium............................. 3,000 63 Balance on hand...................... 5,315 55 $292,884 48 This balance is now on deposit with the Merchants bank of this city, a state depository, to meet the out¬ standing bonds of the Northeastern railroad, all of said bonds having been paid by me, with the excep¬ tion of eleven (11) five hundred dollar ($500) bonds and coupons which will make outstanding bonds and coupons.........................$ hand 6,077 5,315 50 55 And as abovo stated, I have on Leaving a balance of...............$* 181 55 Which amount we can get from the receiver of the road, or by the issuance of one of the bonds now in my hands, as your excellency may determine. It, is proper for me to call your attention to the condition of some of the past due coupons on the bonds of the Northeastern railroad which I have not seen proper to advtse the treasurer to pay, and suggest that you decide the course to be pursued in reference thereto. Coupons attached to these bonds, amounting to the sum of eleven hundred dollars, which wore past due at the time the state was noti fled of the default of the road on payment of interest have not been paid. These bonds indorsed by the state contained the provision that whenever there should be a default on the part of the road and notice of such default given the state, that the gover nor should seize the road and operate it so as to protect tho state as surety on these bonds. Had the stato been notified of this road at the time these coupons matured it could have at once seized the road and operated it from that period. Its failure to seize and optrate it from that time, securo an income therefrom and protect itself from further loss on matur¬ ing coupons was duo to no fault of its own, hut the fault of the holder of tho bonds, de¬ clining to give the state notice of the default of tho road. Under these condition I have thought proper to refer tho matter to yon, that it might bo disposed of as you thought j ust . NORTHEASTERN RAIL¬ CONDITION OF ROAD. Since coming into office I have found if necossary to go to considerable expense In putting tho Northeastern railroad in good condition. Among other extraordinary ex¬ penditures incurred was in the purchase of an engine, for whch we paid four thousand dollars. Wo were paying fifteen hundred dol¬ lars per year as rental for an engine, and under the contract were required to keep the same in repair at our own expense. This policy I did not deem wise to continue and therefore made the purchase as above stated. SALE OF THE NORTHEASTERN KAIL , ROAD. As provided by law, and adivsed by act of 1894, after advertising same according to law, that part of tho Northeastern Railroad lying between Athens and its junction with the Southern Railroad was exposed to sale in the city of Athens on tlic 16tli of April, 1895, and bought in by me for tho state of Georgia for the sum of one hundred thousand dollars, this being tho only bid made. Tho deed to the property has been made to tho state aud properly recorded. I submit herewith a state¬ ment showing the running expenses and ex¬ penditures of tho road from date of seizure by the state to date of sale, and from date of sale to September 1st: Statement of earnings and expenses of the Northeastern Railroad of Georgia from Novem¬ ber 20, 1893, to April 10,1895, inclusive: liiisii m- So A £ 7* ^ * ce co od oo cr m CO ,_i CO CO <*; -* ^ — CO 00 CO C® »-* 'O CO CO CO r-iiii-iii n mm s $ - oc L 2,354 so l S3 s Cn *4 OKD O! O C<i M ^ O U A 1- £88 & co OS CO CO H* -I to M M 00 H* © tx> Oi 13 Ol OS VL 11 CD •^•dOOCCOtH w to h3 Os e- 00 -I h- CS 0- 4.169 3,728 s 3.597 —* CO CO « 03 4* H* 4S* OC O 86 nr CO CO CO Ox tO O *» 8 Id ■ £ MClOOJCi 62 02 6 r.r, OO 59 04 Ol T. CO OO CO CS CP 5 4a O OO p I -da Oi 2.436 2,024 r : 2 749 670 380 2S9 392 180 237 oo I 04 cs to 29 89 12 OS 39 80 10 29 86 74 of CO * : : : j j • j | j j j j i j i i V Deficit. Ol § 665 !!l!!!!ll!!m!li 12 Statement of earnings and expenses of the Northeastern Railroad of Georgia, from April 17,1895, to September 30,1895, inclusive. Earn- Ex- Net De Inga. > peases. Earnings fleit. April, 1859 $1,304 91 $1,549 61 $ $244 60 64 May, 1895 3,269 74 3,281 38 21 June, 1895 3,147 74 3,079 22 68 52 July, 1895 3,420 98 2,974 31 446 67 Aug., 1895 3,860 93 3,263 98 602 95 $15,010 30 $14,158 4oi$1,118 14l$266 24 After purchase of the road I placed in charge Hon. R. K. Reaves, who has been operating tho road since the purchase as agent of the state. There is no doubt that the road will earn a very large dividend on the pur¬ chase price paid therefor by me, and will yield a sufficient income to pay the interest on tho. entire series of bonds which the state issued to take up the old bounds of the North¬ eastern Railroad endorsed by it. FUTURE DISPOSITION OF THE NORTH¬ EASTERN RAILROAD. I desire to call your attention to this prop¬ erty. and submit to your consideration the question of its future operation or disposi¬ tion. If iu your judgment, it is wise to soil or lease this property, it will be necessaiy for you to enact the provisions under which you desire the sale or lease contract to be made. BLUE RIDGE AND ATLANTIC RAILROAD. This road reaches from Cornelia, on the Southern Railroad, to Tallulah Falls, and was originally a part of the Northeastern Railway property. Glowing out of this fact is the claim of the stato thereon to secure the payment of the bonds indorsed by the state on tlie Northeastern railroad property. This claim, it is understood, will bo contested by those who at present claim tho Blue Ridge and Atlantic railroad. The road is now in the hands of a receiver appointed by the United States court. It has been reported to me that one half of it has been abandoned and is not now being operated. It has been, and is now,a mooted question as to whether ornot an effort to enforce the claim of the state will result in expense or benefit to the state. I re¬ spectfully suggest that a committee of the best business men in your body make an ex¬ amination of this propoity, consider its con¬ nections and surroundings, and give directions whether or not the state shall proceed to en¬ force its claim thereon. THE WESTERN AND ATLANTiC COMMIS¬ SION. In pursuance of an act passed by the general assembly in 1894, providing for a method of settling controversies between the state and other parties over property connected with the Western and Atlantic railroad, I appointed at commissioners to pasd upon and determine such questions ns might be submitted to them under the terms of tho act. Eon. John L. Hopkins, of Fulton county; Hon. T. H. Jones, of Whitfield, and Hon. H. W. Hill, of Meri¬ wether. There was submitted to them foj adjustment a controversy over somo railwa.i property lying between Whitehall and For¬ syth streets, in the city of Atlanta. The value of this property was very great, and the case was a long and tedious onp, and hotly contested on both sides. After hearing evi¬ dence and argument the court decided the is¬ sues involved in favor of the state. The evi¬ dence is so voluminous that 1 have not deemed it advisable to go to the expense of printing it. The finding of the commission I have or¬ dered printed,and it will in a short time be placed before you. I have agreed, as author¬ ized by law, to pay each of these commissioners the sum of six hundred (600$ dollars, subject to your approval. I re¬ spectfully ask that your body make provision for th9 payment of this sum, and for other expenses incurred by the commission to the amount of three hundred and fifty dollars and fifty cents. PENSIONS. I herewith submit to you a statement show¬ ing the amount of pensi ons paid to Confederate soldiers for each of the last three years. It will be seen, notwithstanding a number ol: deaths, that there has been an increase in this sum due to the fact that as they grow older their wounds and afflictions increase their disabilities and make it necessary for them to call upon the state for assistance: Maimed Soldiers. Number. Amount. Year ending 26th Oct., 1893—3,222 $185,000 00 Year ending 28th Oct., 1894—..3,235 185,000 00 Year ending 26th Oct., 1S95....3,369 190,000 00 The following table will show tho amounts received by widows for each of tho three years, during which they have received .sixty dollars per annum: Widows. Number. Amount. Year ending 1.5th Feb., 1893..... 4,008 $ 244,080 00 Year ending 15th Feb., 1894—3,997 239,820 00 Year ending 15th Feb., 1895....3,929 235,740 00 The decrease in the amount paid as pensions to the widows of Confederate soldiers has been about five thousand dollars per year. PENSIONS UNDER ACT <3f 1894.'' Under the act of the general assembly pro¬ viding for the payment of pensions to indi¬ gent soldiers, the number of applicants ap¬ proved to date aro 1,768, and new appli¬ cations continue to arrive. To pay tho claims already approved would require $106,080. The appropriation made for the payment of this class of soldiers was only thirty thousand dollars. Following the precedent established heretofore in cases where the appropriations fell far short of the demands for pensions, it was deemed wise not to pay out this thirty thousand dollars, and for that reason nothing has beau paid under this act. I submit to you these figures and leave to your wisdom to de¬ termine what shall bo done. It is probable that it will take $125,000 to meet tho require¬ ments of this act. I cannot forbear saying that, tho motives which prompted the passage of this act was generous, noble and worthy the great state of which you are accredited representatives. There is no class of our fellow citizens, no class of our pensioners, who are more deserving of the state’s bounty than those who are entitled to pensions under the provisions of this act, and I most earn¬ estly recommend that you make provisions for the payment of this class of pensioners. TRANSFER OF PENSIONS TO OFFICE OF ADJUTANT-GENERAL. The work of the pension department has grown to such an extent that it has become a great burden upon the limited clerical force In tho executive department. It has been mentioned by my predecessors, and by one ol them the recommendation was made that the executive department be released of this bur¬ den. As the constitution limits the clerical expenses there we cannot for the purpose of doing this work increase the appropriation for the executive office. I therefore recom¬ mend that you authorize tho transfer of the entire work of the pension department to the office of the adjutant-general, and that you provide a clerk for that department. At the time the constitution limited tho amount of expenditures in the executive department tho state granted no pensions. The num¬ ber of pensioners under all existing laws will be neat to ten thousand and will re¬ quire an enormous amount of labor. To consider carefully every application, guard against imposition, and to do justice to every worthy petitioner is a delicate and ar¬ duous task which should not bo done hastily or carelessly. PENITENTIARY. Tho report of the principal keeper of tiro penitentiary will give you all necessary in¬ formation in reference to that important and growing department.- It is gratifying to know, however, that during the last twelve months tho increase in the number of con¬ victs has been smaller than the year previ¬ ous, and, with few exceptions, smaller than any year sinco the lease act went into effect. Tho greatest trouble with tho lessees during tho year just past has grown out of what is known as “trusties” in the convict service. From my knowledge of these camps aud the way the are conducted, I am satisfied that it is wise to permit this to somo extent under strict iules and limitations, but as to wheth¬ er or not this practice of making trusties of some convicts is being abused is now a grave question. I have instructed the piincipal keeper and his assistant to make diligent in quiiy into this custom, its use and abuse, and ieport to me with such recommendations as may in their judgrqent be wise. The principal physician of the penitentiary reports that, in his opinion, two of the camps now being operated in South Georgia may piove disastrous to the health of con¬ victs which are required to labor therein. As both these are comparatively new camps, we have not as yet sufficient opportunity to thor¬ oughly determine this question to my satis¬ faction. I will have these camps closely cared for and take prompt action if the con¬ ditions should at any time demand it. ENFORCEMENT OF LAWS. The enforcement of the criminal lavs of this state has been carried on fox the last twelve months with gratifying results. On several occasions it has been found necessary to call out the militia. It affords me pleas¬ ure to say that in each instance the troops have borne themselves in a commendable and soldierly manner, and for their prompt and efficient services rendered on these occasions they are entitled to the thanks of tho com¬ monwealth. LYNCHING. Since the day of my inauguration there have been five persons lynched in this state. In each instanco the party lynched was charged with the same offense. No one has been lynched during my administration except for the crime of rape. I have vainly endeavored, by an appeal to the civil authorities and by offering rewards for the lynchers, to bring to trial some of these violators of the law; but neither an appeal to the courts nor the offer¬ ing of rewards have had the desired effect. The courts have been unable to secure proof, and without this they axe powerless to en¬ force the law. Our people are peculiarly situated. No civilized people on earth other than Southern states are surrounded as we are. Our country in m any sections is thinly set¬ tled, and fully one-third of our population is composed of those who up to a few years ago were slaves, a large percentage of whom lack moral training and have not the proper respect for law or the rights of others. Jtu - si that sometimes, when these cnuZ."’*® women do occur, people—who Ceel ti Upoa safety ishment, of our find women their thdi depend upon prom mV*' vm <• hie and inflict gnat in DEtr "3 , ' penalties authoritVaC^f which a imposed by lawful a court of justice. This is wrong g ? flees the good name of our state in the' toe civilized world, the ;.'.- p .ves of good ' which should be desired Tht ou * by violating by all the law, create a lessness and directly increase th*. „. : ? !r ‘ which they seek to ^ rv .'I 1 * 9 stances tho parties lynched suppress, in f been in this S j a . (1 irave taken from the hands of officer most brutally, cruelly, and itthinatmlv and c-d. Such conduct cannot be top b-.-at deemed. In opinion it. s;-ve r ,.] !' euu. my will be wi for the general assembly to enact a l :;v . ing that wherever a person is falcon JiFOYlfi. bands of officers and maltreated from ri that the governor be authorized or murdevY from office the from whoso to rpm' ' man cwodv h was iljy of t aken t.li8 deceased that the shall admin liavo istrator tlio or'the cover from the county '.he full right tv re¬ Hfe. The state has value pen&ftj , . officers take no right to to charge of a man, render hi powerless to protect himself, and while ( this helpless condition in tho custody of ti state to be taken by an armed mob and 8 treated murdered. In all instant m i or such their legal representatives should ha W dress in the courts, with right ve re adjoining to sue in county the one whore the was empowered, committed, in his and discretion, tho governor removal should^ to ove tho officer. Such provisions would make more active our law-abiding citizens in suppressing l aw lessness and encouraging all of our peonin t" resort to the courts for the punishment of crime, even where the offense charged is th most brutal, the most dastardly and the most heinous. In each of tho instances mentioned the party lynched has been a negro. Wh ** t excuse can be given for this conduct when race has control o the legislature our the courts, furnishing both and .J of I the jurors? No the j nd and white man should insist upon the infliction of punishment in where he is unwilling to a case entrust to the most intelligent and upright of his If a fair trial cannot be had before these ia a court of justice, how can one be justly an 4 fairly had by a raving mob? REFORMATION IN CRIMINAL LAWS I commend your action in promptly taking I up at your previous session the matter of ret- ! ormation rectly informed of our criminal bill laws. If I am cor . j a covering this subject _1 has already passed the lower house. I rec ommend that action be taken upon this meas- I ure at the earliest practicable moment in or- I der that such changes in the criminal laws I as may be made be emobdied in the codifica* tion of our laws which is soon to be pub¬ lished. DIRECT TAXES. Herewith I furnish you statement of direct! tax refunded by the federal govomment to the I state of Georgia, to be disbursed to such of her citizens as were entitled to it under the I provisions of the act of congress: Total amout received by state........$83,031 03 Balance in treasury October 18,1895.. 19,031 0$ Amount paid out during my admin¬ istration, 694 27 j GEORGIA EXPERIMENT STATION. The expenses of the meeting of the board of directors of the Georgia Experiment Station are now paid by the state. As this institu¬ tion receives from the federal govrenment fif¬ teen thousand dollars annually, and the erected! state! has already furnished the farm and its buildings, it is entirely proper that the expenses of the meetings of this board be paid out of the funds at their command. If the fund received from tho fed- 1 eral government cannot be used for this pur¬ pose—and I see no reason why it should not be —it should be paid from the products of the farm. The sum paid annually to this board of directors, covering their expenses, amounts to about eight hundred dollars—a sum worth, saving to the state. VIOLATION OF TREATY WITH SWEDEN AND NORWAY. I transmit herewith letters with accompany¬ ing documents from the secretary of state of the United States requesting that Georgia make indemnity for the violation at Bruns¬ wick of the treaty of tho United States with Sweden and Norway. I called upon the honor¬ able secretary of state to furnish me with some precedent where states had been called upon and paid the indemnity in such cases. He has, however, failed to furnish me with this information. The relation of our people with foreign governments is regulated hj in¬ ternational law and treaties entered into by the United States. For a violation of these laws and obligations the United States is ie» sponsible to the foreign governments, and un¬ less the secretary can furnish some authority to justify the demand that the state of Geor¬ gia pay in this case, this amount, I «annot advise its payment. I, however, furnish jotfl with the documents giving ali the informa¬ tion at my command, knowing that after mak-l ing thorough investigation that you will iisd pose of it as is just and wise. If, is • ,CI, J judgment, gia this, it is proper requested that the state to make of ^'J 1<1 pay you aro needed appropriation. EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS. I Tho educational institutions of Georgia though not perfeet, show such progress as to furnish cause for just pride. The convention of the county school commissioners held i* the hall of the house of representatives bu few days since furnishes high evidence o thB improvement of our schools and the pwl gress being made by the various counties n$ securing It efficient intelligent county school body of conunissionj earnest p ieB '| ers. was an tbtfij who impressed all who looked upon not only Georgians but strangers, that tj common schools are in the control of CCID ”J tent men. The progress in this rospect * j cheering and means much. ThecommoDse *1 fund for this year is as follows: I SCHOOL FUND FOR THE YEAR Amount. | LiqnTrtox Sources ................I 1,500 Show tax... 2,046 Dividends, Georgia railroad stock 15,000 Hire of convicts............... 17,5® Fees oil inspectors.................. One half rental "Western and At¬ 210,006 » lantic railroad............. 600,000 « Direct appropriation........ 208,000* Foil tax...................... Aggregate. .............$ 1,156,052 Add to this $500,000, the total amount by local taxation in various coun . cities, and we have as the total amoun by taxation in the state for education poses $1,656,052.00. This great inters , its your careful attention an stantial aid. While heartily favoring ^ tinned increase in the aid of the sta common schools, I recommend that . ^ such steps as will encourage c° n jj localities tc co-operate with toe seeking to uphold the common sch° 0 -• s! .is no better work in which you ® an & legislators. If we can secure the * ^ operation of the citizens of j®' duce them by local taxation r°‘ cr ‘ .pose npon themselves by the P e ° p [locality to oo-operate with the fta ( US in COTunletto- »nd narlee ir