Message of the Governor of Georgia to the General Assembly, October 26, 1898, W. Y. Atkinson, Governor

MESSAGE
OF THE
Governor of Georgia
TO 'rH1<1
GENERAL AssEMBLv.
OCTOBER 26, l898.
W. Y. ATKINSON, Governor.
ATLANTA, GA. GEO. \V. HARRISON, STATE PRINTER
(Franklin Prtg. and Pub. Co.) 1898

MESSAGE.
STATE OF GEORGIA, EXECUTIVE OFFICE,
ATLANTA, GA., Oct. 26, 1898.
-Gentlemen of the Gtmeral Assembly of Georgia : In obedience to the requirement of law, I send this
-communication to inform yon of such transactions since -the adjournment of your predecessors in office as may better -enable you to discharge your duties as members of the -Oeneral Assembly; and make to you such recommendations as will, in my opinion, aid in the perfection of our laws and promote the growth of our material interests.
The reports from each of the regular Departments of -the Government, as well as from each of our eleemosynary and educational institutions, will be printed and furnished to each of you. Coming, as these reports do, from men Of recognized ability, who are thoroughly acquainted with -t~e subjects discussed, I cannot too earnestly urge upon _you the importance of giving careful consideration to -every recommendation made.
ELECTION OF JUDGES AND SOLICITORS-GENERAL BY THE PEOPLE.
The amendment to the Constitution proposed by tlie -Oeneral Assembly, providing for the election of Judges .and Solicitors-General by the people, was in accordance

4
with the law submitted to the people at the general election this year, and ratified at the polls. On ascertainingthe result of the election, I issued my proclamation declaring the result, and the proposed_ amendment became a part of the fundamental law of the State.
SPECIAL ATTORNEY WESTERN & ATLANTIC RAILROAD.
For a number of years the State has employed a Special Attorney to look after questi9ns arising in connection with the Western & Atlantic Railroad, and to represent the
State in the settlementof a number of disputes which had
arisen as to rights-of-way. Having arrived at the conclusion that this office should not be a permanent one, in the early part of this year I entered into a contract with Hon.
,v. A. Wimbish, Special Attorney, in which it was agreed
that for the :imount appropriated as salary for this year, he should dispose of all unfinished business. This contract is now of file in the Executive Office. I, therefore; recommend that there be no further appropriation made for the payment of the salary of the Special_ Attorney of the Western & Atlantic Railroad. Whatever legal business may arise in connection with this property can hereafter be done by the Attorney-General.
TE\IPORARY LOAN.
Early in July I received an offieial communication from the State Treasurer, in which he informed me that, in order to carry out the law providing for the quarterly payment

5
-of the salaries of teachers, it would be necessary for the .State to borrow two hundred thousand dollars. This nondition of the Treasury was due to the fact that the increase in the appropriation for common school purposes of four .hundred thousand dollars would not reach the Treasury un.til the collection of the taxes for this- year, and would not likely be available until some time in December. It became necess~ry, therefore, for me to decide whether it would be better to ignore our obligations to pay the teachers quarterly, or to exercise the authority given me by the last General Assembly to borrow money and meet the demands promptly. I reached the conclusion that it would be better for the State to pay the interets upon this amount than to ignore the obligation to the teachers and require them to discount, at ruinous rates, their claims against the State. Fortunately, the condition -of the Treasury was such that we did not need the entire four hundred thousand dollars, and by making a loan of two hundred thousand dollars, anticipating the revenue which would come in on the collection of the fall taxes, we could meet every demand. I, therefore, went to New York and secured a loan of two hundred thousand dollars at the very lvw rate of 2 per cent. per annum. We had -on hand one hundred thousand dollars, known as the .sinking fund, accumulated for the purpose of paying the public debt, which, under our constitution, could not be used for any other purpose, and consequently was not :available to pay the teachers. vVe had a right to place this money in any on~ of the Stat~ depositories. In the exrcise of this right I left it on deposit with banks which

6
agreed to pay for the use of the loan the amount which the State contracted to pay. The State, therefore, whileborrowing two hundred thousand dollars, paid interest on only one hundred thousand dollars at two and a half percent. per annum, and the banks ha\Ying on deposit the sinking fund paid the interest on the other one hundred thousand.
CHICKAMAUGA MONUMENT.
I regret exceedingly to be obliged to report to you that the monument for which the State has made an appropriation, to be erected on Chickamauga battle-field, has not been completed. The reasons for this will appear from the report of the Board having the work in charge. I am confident, however, it will be completed and ready fordedication in the early part of 1899, and respectfully recommend that you take such action as you may deem properto provide for the ceremonies of the dedication.
TROOPS FOR THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR.
On April 22d the President of the United States called upon the State of Georgia to furnish, for service in theSpanish-American war, two regiments of infantry and two batteries of light artillery ; and on May 26th another call was made for one regiment of infantry. On the receipt of the call, I at once issued my proclamation calling for volunteers, and am gratified to report that both calls wereresponded to with cominendable promptness. U oder the first call we were the third of the original thirteen States, the-

ninth of all the :States of the Union, and the first of the Southern States, in completing our organization and turning them over to the Federal government. The people of Georgia have reason to be proud of the character of the men and officers furnished by this State in response to the calls made upon it. These were splendid bodies of men, which, I do not believe, could be surpassed by any volunteer soldiers in the world.
EXPENSE OF ORGANIZING THE TROOPS.
Soon after the declaration of war, the Federal government declined to furnish a regular army officer to assist the State in the office of Adjutant-General, as had been done for a number of years. On this account, and because of the large increase of the work incident to organizing the military forces, it became necessary for me to employ some one to aid in the Adjutant-General's department. Colonel W. G. Obear, an able and experienced militia officer, was employed at a salary of one hundred and fifty dollars per month, which was paid out of the military fund. This employment has continued up to the present. There was necessarily a large expense to be incurred in raising the troops, and the problem was presented to me of determining from whence this fund should be derived. On account of the expense which would have been incurred by so doing, it was not considered advisable to convene the General Assembly and ask for an appropriation for this purpose; and it was, therefore, determined to use the fund appropriated by the St~te for

8
militar,ypurposes. Itemized accounts of the amounts ex:'pended have been carefully kept by the Adjutant-General's Department, and will in a few days be in a condition to be presented to the Federal government for payment. Most of the expense incurred in organizing the troops will be refunded to the State by the United.States government in a very short time.
THE STATE MILITIA.
The State militia orgauizations were so much impaired this year by havini:- taken from them officers and men who entered the volunteer forces of the Unite<l States, that it was deemed advisable not to have the usual State encampment. In the organization of the volunteer force of the United States, furnished by thls State, the militia proved an invaluable source from which to draw officer.~ and men. The experience acquired in the service of the State Militia proved to have been of incalculable value to the forces furnished by this State, under the call of the national government. My experience, however, while organizing this national force, has convinced me that it is of the utmost importance that the laws governing the militia organizations be revised and radical changes made therein.
I respectfully urge that your committee on military affairs take this subject under consideration and ask for the passage of the needed legislation. I hope your body will continue its aid to the State Militia. When reorganized under such new legislation as may b~ bad, it will be of more value than ever before in preserving -p~ce, enforcing obedience . to, law, and furnishing a. source from which a volunteer a~my may be quickly raised in time of war.

9
PENITENTIARY DEPARTMENT.
Pur,mant to the Act of the General Assembly approve<l December 21st, 1897, I appointed, on the date named, as Prison Commissioners, the following gentlemen, viz.: Hon. Clement A. Evans, of the county of Fulton; Hon. Jacob L. Beach, of the county of Glynn, and Hon. Joseph S. Turner, of the county of P11tnam, who immediately qualified, gave the bond required by said act, and entered upon the discharge of their duties.
For full information as to the work of this department, I !efer you to their report, which has been written and laid upon your desks.
Referring to but one portion of this report, it will be seen that the misdemeanor convicts have, by virtue of the authority conferred upon the Commission, been brought under direct State supervision and that satisfactory progress has been made toward bringing all misdemeanor camps up to a Uniform standard.
All private chaingangs have been abolished, and a large majority of the convicts are now being worked upon the public roads, much to their improvement, and the ultimate benefit of the counties so using them.
NORTH EASTERN RAILROAD.
The last General Assembly conferred upon the Governor authority to sell the Sorth Eastern Railroad whenever he thought advisable.
I have not offered this property for sale, because I did not deem it advisable in the present condition of the

10
country, but I feel sure that soon a sale can be perfected, in compliance with the conditions imposed, for as much as or more than the amount of the bonded debt for which the State is liable.
For full details of the maQage1mmt of this property I refer you to the report of Hon. R. K. Reaves, State Agent, in charge, which will be printed and laid before you.
OMAHA EXPOSITION.
In compliance with a resolution of the General Assembly, approved December 18, 1897, authorizing the Governor to appoint a committee of fifteen citizens, to secure an exhibit of the products and resourcee of the State of Georgia at the Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition, I appointed the following named gentlemen thereon~ Hons. W. J. Northen, C. E. Harmon, W .. A. Hemphill,. .F. H. Richardson, J. B. S. Thompson! and Geo. C. Smith, of the county of Fulton; J. F. DeLacy, of the county of Dodge; Edwin Brabston, of the county of Glynn; W. A. Knowles, of the county of Floyd; Thos. K. Scott, of the county of Richmond; Geo. Ketchum and J. F. Hanson, of the county of Bibb; H. M. Comer and P. A.. Stovall, of the county of Chatham.
These gentlemen, at a great personal sacrifice of time and money, secured and placed in position at Omaha a magnificent exh1.bit which has attracted the attention and admiration of thousands of visitors, and which, it is ex~ pected, will be productive of much good to the state.

11
PENSIONS.
It has become the just, humane and settled policy of the State to pay pensions to Confederate soldiers and their widows, where the circumstances justify it. Since 1866 all legislative action has tended to that end, and on three several occasions the question has been submitted to the people, and each time by a practically unanimous vote they have amended the Constitution for that purpose. It. is a patriotic and noble spirit which inspires and puts io active operation the discharge of this obligation.
In legislating for that purpose such restrictions shon Id be kept in view as will tend to keep the pension roll as a roll of honor. No exact statement can be made of thenumber of soldiers Georgia furnished the Confederatecause, but conservative estimates put the number at 125,000, and there are less than 10 per cent. of that number of pensioners on our rolls, while the Federal pension roll& show nearly 1,000,000 names, approximating the number in thii entire Federal army.
The above comparison is made to show the danger of imprudent or unwise legislation, and not in any sense torestrict payments so as not to reach those justly entitled.
In extending aid to indigent and disabled Confederatesoldiers the State has adopted the policy c,f paying direct to the beneficiary the money appropriated for his benefit. To show what Georgia and other States have done and aredoing for the old soldiers, the table below is submitted. The figures, except for Georgia, are for 1897:

Alabama. Arkansas Florida Georgia Kentucky

Louisiana

..

Maryland Mississippi . . . North Carolina . South Carolina . Tennessee Texas Virginia

GENERAL PENSIONS.

SOLDIERS' HOME.

TOTAL.

I Number.

Paid. No.Inmates.[ Paid.

I Number.

Paid.

7,105 $ 116,532

None. $

7,105 $ 116,532

1,336

35,000

49

7,105

1,385

42,105

600

65,000

600

65,000

10,390

609,520

None.

10,390

609,520

None.

None.

None.

None.

Estimated.

70

10,000

Estimated.

70

10, 000

......
t,:)

Estimated.

Estimated.

None.

75

10,500

75

10,500

75,000

75,00 0

105,000

67

8,500

113,500

4,714 537

100,000 59,940

None. 100

8,500

4,714 637

I

100, 000 68,44 0

None.

175

38,258

175

38,25 8

3,541

110,800

246

30,000

3,787

140,8 00

Paid by all States . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . $ 1,389,175

Paid by Georgia . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . $ 609,520

Paid by all other States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 780,135- 1,389,175

13

It will also be remembered that it is provided by law

that such Confederate soldiers as cannot support them-

selves, hy reason of poverty and injirmity, shall receive food

and clothing from the county authorities (see Section 432

Vol. 1, Code 1895) and thus they may supplement the

amount paid by the State. Besides on the sa,me line by

the Act of 1897, page 24, no license for peddling can be

demanded of any disabled or indigent ex-Confederate sol-

dier, and in some instances they are exempt from poll tax,

as provided in Section 766 Vol. 1, Code 1895.

The following table shows payment of pensions during

my administration, and two years previous:

Number.
For 189:J__ --------------- 7,2HO " 1894 _______ -- -------- --- . 7,232

Paid.
$429,080
424,820

" 1895 ---- _ -- -- -- -- --------- 7,308

426,340

" 1896 ------ ------ --------- 9,291 " 1897 --------- ___________ 10,445

~45,140 57:3,460

" 1898 _--- --- -- -- _-- -- _____ 10,390

609,520

There are now pending in !he Pension Office 2,715

claims, of which, probably 1,000 under the proofs are en-

titled to be paid; and to cover such payments $60,000

should be appropriated for 1899 in addition to the sum

appropriated for 1898.

FEE SYSTEM.
I am persuaded that the interest of the State will be conserved by abolishing thA fee system, and suggest the passage of a law providing a different method t,f compensation for our public officials. All officers who are com-

14
pensated in this way should be required to keep an itemized account of their receipts, and make return thereof under oath. A maximum limit ought to be fixed, and re-ceipts in excess of this limit covered into the Treasury. The limitation should be sufficiently liberal, however, to secure the services of our best men, and I apprehend ,no difficulty in adjusting the new system so as to satisfy all requirements. I commend the matter to your serious attention.
BIENNIAL SESSIONS.
Another step in the direction of retrenchment which I would propose, is an amendment to the Constitution providing for biennial sessions of the Legislature. Heretofore much of the time of our assembly meetir{gs has been taken up in balloting for J ndges and Solicitors, but now that the Constitution has been so amended as to require the election of these officials by the people, ample time will be allowed for the purposes of needful legislation within
the period now fixed fo; a single session-fifty days.
This change will result not only in a net saving to the State of $70,000 for the session dispensed with, but will have a good effect in other respects. Arrnual sessions are prolific of much needless_ legislation, and too much legislation has a disturbing effect upon business and commercial affairs. All States of the Union, except Georgia and five -0ther1,, now have biennial sessions, and the experiment has proven so satisfactory, that it will be only a question of a short time when the plan will be adopted also in the States

15
t<hwhich I have referred. It is not necessary to hold a constitutional convention, in order to give -practical effect to _this suggestion. It can be accomplished more directly and at less expense by amending our present organic law, in the usual way. Conventions are expensive, both in the matter -0f primary deliberation and in the subsequent legislation necessary to make our laws conform to the requirements of the new instrument. When a change in our fundamental law becomes necessary, it can be done just as e!fectively by amendment, and at a cost comparatively trifling. Numerous arguments can be adduced i1;1 favor of the proposed change, but it is not necessary to appeal to your intelligence by such a course of reasoning. The advantages to be derived are so obvious that specification would be useless.
TAX ON INHERITANCES.
As a means of adding to the State's revenue, I recommend the imposition of a tax on inheritances, direct as well as collateral. Other States have set us a good example on this line, which we would do well to follow. A measure providing for a levy of this sort would, I believe, receive the approbation of the people, and add materially to the State's revenue.
EDUCATION.
The State has made most gratifying progress in matters affecting its educational advancement. Perhaps never before in the history of Georgia has there been such widespread interest in the cause of popular education. The

16
Legislature, in answer to the demands of the people, has made liberal appropriations for the support of all ourschools. These large investments that the Sta~ is an-' nually making for the education of the masses, will yield larger returns than the State could derive in any other way. The problem before us as a people is to make our own children capable of developing our own resources. It is extremely gratifying to me to note the steady and rapid improvement in our educational conditions.
The pnQlic school term has been lengthened from one hund1ed days to one hundred ~nd thirty. The public school fund bas grown from $937,871.12 in 1894, to $1,640,381.00 in 189R. Within the same length of timewe have added to our teaching force one thousand teachers, who have been professionally trained)n Normal schools. The enrollment of children of school age in the common schools has also largely increased over the enrollment of previous years. The building of new and comfortable modern school-houses is steadily going on in all parts 01 the State. The two Normal schools supported by the State-the Georgia Normal and Industrial Sehool at Milledgeville and the State Normal School at Athens-have
been taxed to their utmost capacity to make room for the-
pupils that apply for entrance in both institutions. During the present year, indeed, a large number of applicants have been denied admission in both of these schools for lack of room. Teaching is no longer an avocation. It is now a profession, and teachers who are wanted everywhere are those who have had professional training. These two schools, therefore, that are providing profes-

17
sional training to our teachers, deserve the liberal support that the Legislature has provided.
We have come to a time when practical education is demanded for the changed conditions that coi\front us. Our children must be taught in the schools to do what the world wants done. Most of the manual labor of the future will be done with a machine. This will be true, not only of the manufactory and workshop and printing house, but it wiU be true to a large extent on the farm as well. Wo have come to the age of the machine. Such changes should be made, therefore, in the courses of study in our common schools as will broaden the foundation of popular education, by focluding such industrial branches as the times demands of us.
The addition of training like this for industrial pursuitsin all our schools, will hasten the day when Georgia will work into manufactured products all of the raw material that the State produces. The State can never reach that proud place of independent sovereignty that she sho~1ld bold, in fact as well as name, until she has made the children of all her people independent and intelligent producers of wealth, and umil there is not only no badge of reproach for honest toil, but everywhere in every department of. buman endeavor, respect and honor and remunerative rewards for well-diversifi, 1d in'telligent labor.
GEORGIA SCHOOL OF TECHNOLOGY.
The rapid advance of all nations in industrial and mechanical lines directs attention to the conditions existing i'"iiGeorgia for the cultivation of natural resources and

18
scientific talent. The State should provide the means for enabling Georgians to fill the most remunerative positions in the material advancement of the State. The heads of industrial enterprise, and the. hi.gh__ salaried men in our manufacturing e;;tablishments sh.ould be natives, and not,as is often the case, residents of foreign countries and other sections.
By giving our young men the opportunity to obtain, practical and scientific education of high grade in the different fields of Engineering and Industrial Science, we continually add to the population a class of citizens, familiar with our resources, capable of organizing manufacturing plants, and qualified to increase the wealth and importance of the State. In view of these facts, I recommend for your continued support the Georgia School of Technology. Its thorough courses_ and the excellent records of its graduates are commanding the attention and ::idmir~tion of every S:rnthern State. The dormitory built by the State is inadequ~te for the accommodation of the hundreds of boys who desire to attend the school at cheap rates and under wholesome regulations.
I recommend that you appropriate money for another dormitory, as the present buildings are now too crowded for comfort and health .
.As the attendance at the school has been more than doubled in the past few years, I recommend such increase in th,e maint,mance fund as yon may find necessary.
In my last message I recommended the establishment, in the school, of a Department of Textiles, and the General .Assembly appropriated $10,000.00 for such purpose,

19
:provided friends of the school would give an equal amount in money or equipment.
I am gratified to. announce that donations have been made as follows:
ln cash .................... ; . _; ......... $10,2:H.65 In Machinery............................ 12,000.00
Total. .............................. $22,221.65
A list of the donors and the amounts given are appended to this message.
The most important donation was made by Mr. Aaron Frem.:~, a citizen of Pittsburg, Pa., who became an interested patron of the school through his friendship with President Lyman Hall.
Mr. Oscar Elsas, Vice-President of a large manufactur-
ing firm in Atlanta, and an ex-student of the school, rendered valuable services in securing donations of machinery. Both of these gentlemen deserve the thanks of the people -of Georgia.
Including the donations and the State's appropriation -the Textile Department will have an equipment in building and machinery of $32,0()0 00, and in the line of Cot,ton Textiles, it will have no superior. At one-third the -cost, Georgia has secured this equipment for the instruction of her sons and daughters in designing, weaving-, dyeing, etc., of our great staple whose manufacture has .heretofore enriched other sections of the country. It is Georgia's duty to provide liberally for the support of this Department.

20
THE UNIVERSITY.
I recommend the continuation of the State's support of" the University.
The intellectual supremacy of a people is the key toprosperity and material greatness, and the University of the State, if properly supported, will continue to add to the growth and greatness of the State. I advise that the excellent dormitory system now existing at the School of Technology be provided for at the University, so that young men of limited means may obtain the adv.,antages of the institution at small cost and that parents may feel that their sons are under the continual guardianship and pro-tection of the authorities.
SCHOOL BOOKS QUESTION.
I would again invite your attention to the importance of legislation looking t.J a reduction of the cost of school books used iu the Public Schools of this State, and urge upon your body the growing necessity for action thereon.
In this connection I refer you to the special message on this subject which I had the honor of layingbefore thelast General As~embly. In that message I submitted, some comparative figures that are worth considering in this connection, to wit :
The following statement presents clearly the compara-tive cost of our Code published upon State's account under the competitive bid system and what we are actually paying for the school books used by our children in the pub-lie schools.

21

CODE.
'Three volumes of Georgia Code, containing 1,500,000 words, 'cost- ____ . ______ -----$ 4 00

SCHOOL BOOKS.

Five School books, containing 659,000 words, cost . _____ _ ____ . __ _ ___ . ___ . ___ .. _____ 1 88

Five School books, containing 215,000 words,

cost _ ----- _ ---------

4 00

The cost of printing the same number of words

in school-books as in the Code, would be__ 9 52

In this calculation I have not computed the compensa-

tion which must be paid to authors nor other necessary ex-

penses which will readily suggest themselves to you. On

the other hand, it must be borne in mind that only a fe.w

thousand copies of the Code were printed, while school

hooks are issued by the hundred5 of thousand5 and their

.printing should, therefore, cost less.

ANOTHER COMPARISON.
At my request, one of the best equipped and reliable pubiishing house~ in the State has furnished me the following ,;tatement showing what is now being paid for school books in Georgia, and at what price it would be willing to .,print the same books in lots of one hundred thousand:

BOOK.

PUBLISHER.

PUB. PRICE

,ventworth's Practical Arith-

PRICE. BID.

metic ........, ................... Ginn & Co ............400 pp.$ .65 $ .18

Third Reader ....................Ginn & Co ........... 256 pp. .40 .12

First Book in American His-

tory (Eggleston) .............. American Book Co 224 pp. .60 .11

:Swinton's ,Word Primer ..... American Book Co 96 pp. .15 .()4

Sanford's 'Higher An. Arith-

metic ............................. American Pub. Co 160 pp. 1.00 .24

Graves' New GradedSpeller ..Ginn & Co ............ 160 pp. .25 .10

McGuffey's Third Eclectic

Reader ............................ American Book Co 208 pp. .40 .14

22
This company is _able and willing to take the contract to publish at_ the prices named_an-d give bond to comply with their contract.
You 0an add to these prices a fair royalty to be paid to the author and draw your own conclusions as to .whether or
not we are being made to pay a..n unreasonable and unjust
tribute to a lordly trust. I submit to you the consideration of the question, with
the confident belief that you possess the wisdom to discern and the courage to apply the remedy.
BALLOT REFORM.
For. soie years past there has been considerable discussion in regard to a change in our election laws, making them conform, in some degree, to the advanced laws on this subject in other States. In my first message to the Legislature in 1894, and in every subsequimt message, I have adverted to this measure. In one of these I said:
"The decided advance taken by our State in the passage of the Registration Law, recently enacted, has met with the hearty approval of the people of the State, and they hope for such advancement in the reformation of our elec.. tion laws, that no honest mim's vote can be neutralized by a dfshonest or fraudulent ballot, I earnestly urge upon you a,tb'.orough study of the election systems of other States~ that Fmch election laws that may be passed by you will be
i/n harmony with the best methods of the day, and serve to
~ecure honest elections and a government wherein the l>allots of honest men will certainly control."
\

23
Now that the agitati<:m has . become general throughout the State, and is being adcvo?ate<l by .those :who formerly opposed it, I hope for oofinite action by your bod~ .and again add my urgent lippsal to the general demand.
BETTER PRIMARY RLECTION . LAW . NEEDED
Fully as important everywhere as stringent election laws, and a more crying demand in Georgia, is the necessity for the strictest regulation of the party primary. For thirty years past the welfare_and destiny of this State have been in the hands of one party, and the re<:ent election has but furnished a fresh demonstration that this condition is to continue indefinitely, or at least so lo,.ng a.s the present party alignments remain. The .democratic prirnary not. only virtually, but actually, determines who shall fill every important office in the State, and in nearly every county, and what shall be the policy of the State government so far as these officers may determine it. The constitutional amendments. of two years ag0 and this year, making the Supreme and Superior Court Judges elective by the people, vastly increase the responsibility of the dominant party by adding the burden of choosing a pure judiciary.
The most vital part, then, of our politics is the primary, and any reform that does not include this inceptive function in its scope will fail to strike at the root of the real evils of which the people are complaining.
Politics has features which have led many good people to unthinkingly deprecate its existence; but politics will never cease so long as this remains a party government>

24
and men 8ek preferment under it. We should not expect a political millennium under any circumstances, butwe can and should seek every opportunity to be rid of uusatisfac~ tory Jeaders and to make the political organization responsible to its voters. Thus far the reformer and the liberal partisan can go together, and in this nnity of purpose lies the hope of better primaries.
The growing demand for better party methods was recognized by the Legislature as far back as 1891, when an Act was passed and approved by_ the Governor "to protect primary elections and conventions of political parties in this State, and to punish frauds committed thereat.'' This law was n;iodeled very much after the pattern of our present election laws, with the one glaring deficiency that it was not ~andatory upon the party managers to apply the primary in th~ selection of delegates and nominees for offices; and in practice it has been applied with about the same laxity, .all of its provisions seldom being complied with and none of its penalties ever e~forced, and has long since been outgrown by the movement for better primaries. It may be safely said that the volnnt.eer reforms inaugurated by the democratic conventions in 1894 and 1896, and continued by the convention of this year, and effectively urged in the campaign against the caucus methods into which the populists had fallen in their turn, caused great numbers of the latter party to stay away from the polls; while others returned to their former affiliations. I call attention to these facts to show how the people stand in this movement for better primaries, which is really a revolt against bossism.

25
The present demand for primary reform is not confined to Georgia. }""'ew States have been, or are, entirely without statutory regulation ot' the primaries, but in mos~ cases these, like ours, are ineffectual. Ten important States now have statutes more or lesi;; complete controlling primaries, .and as many more are considering and investigating the problem. Recognized as the most progressive of the Southern States, there is every consideration why Georgia .should lead in this as well as in other improvements in the South. The practice of general primaries upon a stated -day, under fixed rules, which hai:r been found so satisfactory in recent years, should l?e made the statutory law, which cannot be changed at the whim of a committee, or the will of a candidate who may control a majority of its members, and should be binding upon all parties. In framing such a statute, there will be many additional features besides those with which we have been made familiar, the character of which I can only suggest here, leaving the details to the wisdom of your body, should you give this matter the consideration which, in my earnest opinion, its importance demands.
In the first place, I cannot too strongly emphasize the statement that the ballot should be made absolutely sncret. No possible opportunity should be given to the briber to .see that the vote corruptly purchased is faithfully delivered, .and thus corruption will be discouraged. Neither should .an employer have any method of ascertaining how bis mployees really vote, and thus the laboring man, whose interest may not always be the same as that of the capitalist, but whose views are equally worthy ofexp~ession in

26

a free government, cannot be successfolly coerced. This.

.

.

becomes more vitally important every year, as indt~strial

and corporate factors enlarge their scope and employ in-

creasing numbers of intelligent suffragists, whose franchise

cannot be too vigilantly protected against any improper

influences.

So satisfactory has been the practice of holding -State.

primaries on one day that I would by all mrums incorpo..

rate this iri the law; and I would also advise that the date

of the primary be made a fixed day, at such season as may

be most convenient to the masses of the voters. If neces-

sary, separate succeeding days might be named fo1 each

party, or all could be held on one day. -The first provision

prevails in New York, whose Legislature last March unani-

mon'lly passed what is generally regarded as the broad-

est and most complete law regulating primary elections,.

political committees and conventions; the second provision

is part of the recently-enacted law of Michigan. Such a

proviso would be perfectly just and satisfactory to all can-

didates and factions alike, and would remove a serious

cause of complaint recently made.

Candidates for all offices should, of course, be directly

voted for, and provision made for delegates who will ex-

press that vote in the convention. In some States, notably

the neighboring one of South Carolina, the nominees are

.Qamed by tbe consolidated vote of the whole State, a

majority of the whole vote being required to nominate.

In any qase, conventions would seem to be necessary to

promulgate principles, and these conventions, in turn,

should be regulated by a provision against proxy and secret,

27
voting, and by proper restrict~ons against interference with the temporary organization.
With these safeguards, including also a provision for secu,r~ ing the fair submission of all party questions to the members of that party, we ,vould have a law unexcelled by that of any State in the Union, and our primaries would command the confidence and respect of all .par.tie~. Then party organizations will al ways be responsible to the reople, anq political leaders will become liberal statesmen; advocating beneficial public measures, instead of scheming politici'~ns, caring only for the favor of those in control of tbe machine.
EQUALIZATION OF TAXES.
A great deal of comment haR been made recently about the high rate of taxation in Georgia. That the tax rateis higher than the people who pay the taxes can well afford is an indisputable proposition ; but I fail to se<:> how theamount of appropriations made can be materially reduced without receding from the position which the State has taken respecting its treatment of the old soldiers and the education of its children, and against this policy of retrogression all a.re mutually pledged.
I am as much in favor of economy in State affairs as any one can be, as I think the record of my administration will show ; but the proper and only way to reduce the taxes that everybody pays, is to make everybody pay his taxes. If there were a just and equitable system of tax assessment in the State, instead of leaving each taxpayer to swear to the amount that he is willing to pay taxes upon, according

28
to investigations that have been recently made in different localities and according to the painstaking report of ComptrollE;r-General Wright, to which your careful attention is called, the valuation of property would be so increased--so much additional property would be placed upon the tax books--that the rate of taxation would be decreased onethird, and still afford the same amount of revenue that we are receiving to-day.
In 1892 tax values were fixed, not by the taxpayer, who bas a direct interest in omitting to give in .property, or in placing the lowest possible value upon it, and thus burdening his neighbor with a part of the taxes which he should pay, but were fixed hy a board of disinterested tax asse~sors. As a result, tax values increased from $444,000,000 in 1891 to $463,000,000 in 1892. This act was rep~aled in the fall of 1892. The next year there was a decrease of $11,000,000 in the returns of taxable property., and now; after a constant decline, it is $54,000,000 less than in 1892, when valued by tax assessors. If so much good was accomplished in one year, with the experience of this effort, tax values ere now would have been equalized and largely increased, and vast amounts of property, real and personal, which now escapes taxation, would be bearing their share of tne common burden.
This law was not a failure, as was claimed by its opponents, some of whom suffered by its operations, and made other people believe that they also suffered, so that there was a general clamor for its repeal, to which a succeeding legislature succumbed. It had its imperfections, as any Ia w which you may enact will have, but these defects should have been

29
remedied by further legislation. I have repeatedly called
upon the legislature to enact some measure that would bring
about reform in this matter of taxation.
In my message to the Geueral Assembly -of 1895, and
again referred to iu my message in 1897, I said:
" 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 thereal or market value of the property of the citizens of the State subject to taxation. Under the present syslem of making tax returns, outside of where the returns are affected by local assessment systems of towns and cities~ each man is hi,; own tax-ass(lssor and places upon his prope.rty such value as he sees fit, even himself in many instances confessing that the amount at which it has been returned by him for taxes bears no approximate relation to the real value of the property. While the legislature nominally fixes the tax rate fur the State tu he collected from her citizens, each citizen has the power to fix his own tax rate, and many of them do fix it at au unjustly low rate by placing a val nation upon their property far below its value, and on a scale much lower than that by which the property of theit 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, is lowering his own tax rate one-half, depriving the State of its just revenue, and placing an unjust bnrden upon his honest neighbor who values his property correctly. I most earnestly recommend that some plan be devised by which the State can arrive at something like a just valuation of the property of its citizens subject to taxation~ and protect the man who honestly returns his taxes against imposition 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 into practical operation~ prove imperfect; btit as these defects appear 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 be adopted can be open to greater abuses or more flagrant in-

30
justice than the law under which our property is now re-
turned for taxation. A. proper plan for assessment of proprty for taxation will not only equalize valges, but place' upon the tax-books a vast amount of personal effects which now escape taxation."
I now appeal to your body to respond to an awakened public interest on this subject, and am -persuaded that effectual steps will be taken in the direction indicated.
SUPPRESSION OF LYNCHlNG.
I respectfully but urgently invite your attention to my message to your predecessors, iu which I asked for legislation for the suppression of lynching in this State, and suggested legislation for their consideration. The Democratic platform in 1896 declared in favor of legislation on the line of my recommendation, and I respectfully call attention to the fact that this pledge of the party has not been fulfilled.
WORK OF LAST FOUR YEA.RS ADMINISTRATION.
In sending this, my last official communication to the General Assembly, I will take the liberty of calling your attention to many results which have been accomplished <luriQg my adminintration.
The State now collects interest. on its money deposited with banks.
The Northeastern Railway has been sold and is now the property of the State, yielding a net income.

31
The public debt has been decreased four hundred and ten thousand dollars.
The annual interest account of the State has been decreasad $40,905.
All State bonds which will mature prior to l 915, except those which can be paid with the sinking fund received annually, have been either paid and cancelied, or retired by substituting in lien thereof bonds bearing a rate" of interest much lower than the rate of the retired bonds.
The State has borrowed money at the low rate of 2 per eent. per annum.
The amount of pensions to Confederate soldiers annually has been increased one hundred and eighty-five thousand dollars.
The annual ~ommon school fund has been increased six hirndred and ninety-four thousand dollars.
The State N orinal School at Athens has been opened and maintained by the State.
New buildings have been erected at the State University, State Normal School, School of Technology and at the Georgia Normal and Industrial College.
A textile department has been established in the School Of 'rechnology.
Large additions have been made at the lunatic asylum, and substantial improvements made at the School for the Deaf aud Dumb.
The penitentiary question has been met and solved by the adoption of a system which will guarantee state control of all its convicts, felony and misdemeanor, secure just .and humane treatment to all and yield.to the State a net

32
income approximating one hundred thousand dollars perannum.
A State Board of Medical Examiners has been established.
Our election laws have been improved by the passage of the Registration Act.
0
The State School Commissioner has been made electiveby the people.
Three additional Justices have been added to the Supreme Court, and the entire bench is elected by the people.
The Constitution has been so amended as to provide for the election of the ,Judges and Solicitors-General by the people.
A new Code hlls been adopted and published. An Act has been passed revising the criminal laws of theState. The resources of the State have been exhibited at three expositions of a national character, to wit: The Cotton States International Exposition, at Atlanta, the TennesseeCentennial Exposition, at Nashville and the Tran-Mississippi International Exposition, at Omaha. Specimens of the products and resources of the State have been collected, which may, at small cost, be transported for exhibit at any future exposition. The office of Governor has been relieved of a large part of its work and rEsponsibility because of the action of the General Assembly in creating the office of Pension Commissioner and giving to the Prison Commission the power of pardon, in so far as it could be done under our-

33
Constitution. But for the imtnse amount of work imposed upon the Governor in organizing the \'olunteer force of the United States, the duties of the position would, this year, on account of the reduction of the work of the Governor by the two above mentioned Acts, have been vastly lighter than it has been for years.
During the last four years the democratic party, which has been in control of the affairs of this State, has shown a disposition to correct existing evils and to inaugurate such reforms as the interest of the country demanded. The exhibition of this spirit has gone far to convince all the people of the State that there is no good to come from divisions and dissensions; but that within the ranks of this party all may come who desire to take part in perfecting our laws and advancing our business interests.
There is no reason to doubt that the same forces which have carried us forward during recent years will continue in the line ofprogress and reform, detecting and eradicating defects and upbuilding every interest which looks to the advancement and progress of all the poople.
I cannot take leave of your body without, through you, extending to the people of Georgia -my sincere gratitude for their many kindnesses to me. If, in the discharge of the duties imposed by their partiality, I nave in any way contributed to the happiness of the people and the greatness of my State, it is to me a rich reward.
W. Y. ATKINSON,
Governor.

34
PRESIDENT'S OFFICE, GEORGIA SCHOOL OF TECHNOLOGY,
ATLAN'rA, GA., OCTOBER 10, 1898. Jii8 E.l'cellency, Govemot lV. Y. Atkinson, Atlanta, Gli.:
DEAR Sm-I have the honor to submit, at your request, the following list of donors to the Textile Department of the Georgia School of Technology:

MACHINERY.
T. 0. Entwistle, Lowell .. S. OolYin & Co., Riverpoint, R. I .... Easton & Bernham Machine Co., Pawtucket. The Draper Co., Hopedale, Mass . Curtis & :\Iarble Machine Co., ,vorcester .. Kitson :\Iachine Co., Lowell, niass ...... . Fales & .Tenks ;\,fachine Co., Pawtucket. Winship :\Iachine Co., City. Elliott & Hall, Worcester. The .\merican Drosophore Co., Boston. A. T ..-\therton :\Iachine Co., Pawtucket. :\Ietallic Drawing Roll Co., Indian Orcharu .. aco-Pettee :\Iachine Shop, Newton, Upper Falls .. "" H. Weston, Yarmouthville, Me .. Lewiston :\Iachine Co., Lewiston, :;\le ... .Tones & Laughlin, Pittsburg, Pa .... Providence :\Iachine Co., Providence .. B. F. Stnrte,ant Blower Co., Boston. "'oonsocket }Iachine & Press Co., ,voonsocket ... "'hitin Machine Co., Whitinsville, Mass. KiH:mrn-Lincoln & Co., Fall River, Mass. Crompton & Knowles Loom ,vorks, Providence Fairmount :\Iachine Co., Philadelphia .

* 402 00 55 00 200 00 584 80 290 00 900 00 864 60 180 00 250 00 1,600 00 700 00 400 00 1,140 00 200 00 75C0 300 00 430 00 500 00 550 00 710 00 55 00 300 00 100 00

Total ............. .

.$ 10,786 40

Other small equipment and machinery donations w..ill increase

this arl,}ount to at least $12,000.00.

35

CASH.

J<'. ,Johnson .......................................................... $

D. Donaldson ... .... ... .... ........................................

V. H. Elsas ....................................................... E. H. Bacon, Jr ... .............................................

E. Cahn ............................................................. ..

:P.R. La1nar ... ,.......................................................

,T. 0. Hall ............................' ......................'. ........

.T. R. Brun1by, Jr ................................................... ..

Aaron French ........................................................

Ularence Knowles ............................................... ..

,T. F. Gibbon ...........................................................

H. H. P.eek ..........................................................

,T. C. Garlington ........................ ,........................ ..

B. ,Y. Seawell .................................................. ..

\\'. B. E,erett..........................................................

I\'. H. En1erson ..................................................... .

T. P. Branch .......................................................

,T. H. Jones ............................................................ ,T. B. \\'ood ...................................................

R. 1\'. Quick ......................... ..
'r. }I. Gibbes .......................... .

.T.S.Coon .................... .

P ..T. Huson ............... .

.J.B. Edwards ................ .

H. T. Powell ..... .

.T. A. Sullivan. ,T. L. Langston

W. 0. Weatherly

......... .

F. T. Hard"'ick .............................................. .

.T. }Iizell .............................................. 00 .... .. E. Pfeiffer ..............................................................

E. S. Gay ...............................................................

.T. Paulsen. ...... .. ...... .. ...... .... . .. ..... ... .. ..... . .. ... . ... ..

0. H. Howard ........................................................ E. }1. ::\Iaclean. .... .. .............................................

}Irs. R. J. Binford ................................................ .. .Z. D. Harrison .......................................................

5 00 5 00 1000 5 00 5 00 5 00 5 00 5 00 100 00
100 oo
10 00 5 00 5 00 5 00 5 00 16 66 10 00 10 00 8 33 15 00
5 00
50 00 5 00 6 66 5 00 5 00 5 00 5 00 5 00 5 00 5 00 5 00 5 00 5 00
5 00 10 00
5 00

36

W. L. Peel
,v. G. Logan _, ......................................................
.T. M. Markely ................. , ...................................... .. C. D. Horniker. .. ... .. . .. ... .. ... .. ........................... .T. C. Kirkpatrick ................................................ .. D. 0. Dougherty ..... ........ . ............................. ..
.r. Nutting ........ ...... ..... ........ ... ...... ..... ... ... ..: .....
.T. C. Ruse. ........ ......... ...... .. ................................. \V. C. Davis .......................................................... 0. R. Goette.......................................................... B. A. Guill ....................................................... E. A. Greene ........................................................ H. L. Smith .......................................................... :YI. Goldsmith .. .. .. .. ... .. .. .. .. .. .. ... ... ... .... ..................... A. R. Colord ........................................................ .. C. B. Little ............................................................ . R. B. Tufts ................ .. P. H. Harrison........ ... ...... .. ............................ .. Aaron French ... .. . ... .. ... . .. .. .... .. .. .. ... ... .. ... .. .. .. .. . ....... . H. H. :Miles ........................................................... W. B. Nunnally .. .T. T. Wikle .... :\I. ,vaterman. :YI. W. McRae W ..T. Nalley. ,J. ::VI. Fischer .. Aaron French. City of Atlanta
Geo. ,v. Parrott
Lyman Hall

5 00 5 00 5 00 5 (X) 10 00 5 00 5 00
5 oo
5 00 6 00 5 0()
5 co
10 GO 10 00 10 00 25 00 10 00 10 00 2,500 00 10 00 10 {)'.)
10 00 5 00 10 00 10 00 5W 3,000 00 3,000 00 1,000 00 50 00

Total ... Total in cash and Machinery. The donations may be expressed briefly a~ follows:

*10,221 65 22,221 6iJ

Machinery Cash.
Total ....

Very respectfully,

* 1:.l,000 (X) 10,221 65
...... * 22,221 65
LYMAN HALL, President.

37
PARDO"NS GRANTED BY THE GOVERNOR.
FELONIES. Alex \V. "\Vells-Arson. :Monroe Superior Court. Sentence., three years. Recommended by Prison Commission. Liclence circumstantial. Granted June 23, 1898.
C1harley Roberson-1Ianslaughter. Jefferson Superior Court. Sentence, three years. Recommended by Prison comnumon. Reasonable doubt 0 guilt. Granted July 1, 1898.
FreLl Ellington-Burglary. l<'ulton Superior Court. Sentence, twelve months. Recommell'ded by Prison Commission because u precarious state 0 health. Granted .Tuly S, 1898.
Cl.nle Lovelace-Involuntary manslaughter. :Forsyth Superior Court. Sentence, three years. Prison Commis-
sion recommends commutation to one year. Granted Aug.
1 G, ~SfJ8.
Hester McFadden-Voluntary manslaughter-Baldwin Superior Court. Sentence, ten years. Recommended by 1)l'ison commission, judge, solicitor-general, jury and county officers. Granted Aug. 23, 1898.
:Ed \Valker-Murd~r. Muscogee Superior Court. Sentrnce,. lie impdsonment. Recommended by Prison Com11uss1011. Crime probably accidental. Urged by judge

38
and solicitor-general, and many citizens. Granted April 14, 1898.
Jim Oliver-Burglary. Sentence, ten years. Elbert County. Recommended by Prison Commission. X ot. guilty. Pardoned May 24, 1898.
Jno. W. Lewis-Murder. Appling Superior Court. Recommended by Prison Commission. Main witness unworthy of credit. Urged by judge, jury and many citizens. Granted June 3, 1898.
W. L. Tillery-Voluntary manslaughter. Laurens Superior Court. Sentence, fifteen years. Recommended by Prison Commission. :Main witness for State not reliable. Growing blind. Element of self-defense. Recommended by solicito:i:-general, county officers and many citizens. Granted June 4, 1898.
;r. P. Br,Y'an-Involuntary manslaughter. Superior
Court Fulton. Sentence, three years. Recommended hy judge, solicitor-general and foreman of jury. Pardoned Dec. 21, 1897.
Wm. Hopkins-Murder. Superfor Court Rabun. Sentence, life. Prison commission recommended. Quite young. Committed crime with a rock. Served ten years. Recommended by judge, soli~itor-general, county officers, jury and many citizens. Granted Dec. 30, 1897.
Allen Hodges-Forgery. Glynn Superior Court. Sentence, ten years. Recommended by Prison Commission. Has consumption. Good conduct. Pardoned Feb. 24, 1898.
Calvin Kirkland--Burglary. Heard Superior Court.

39
Sentence, three years. Recommended by Prison Commission. Recommended by judge and solicitor-general. Granted March 19, 1898.
S. Bradbury-Voluntary manslaughter. Madison Superior Court, Sentence, two ylt.ars. Very seriously shot when he committed the crime. Very ill' in the penitentiary. Sub-committee of penitentiary. Solicitor-generai, trial jury and grand jury recommend pardon. Pardoned Dec. 9, 1897.
Hennie Hudson and Albeilt Srnith-}1urder. Jointly indicted. Putman Superior Court. Sentence, life. Recommended by judge, solicitor-general_, trial jury,. grand jury, joint committee of House and Senate. Pardonr,l Dec. 10, 1897.
.Tim Davis-Assault to murder. Chattooga Superior Court. Sentence, five years. No one was hurt when the assault was made. Recommended by judge, solicitor-general, foreman of grand jurY,, trial jury and county officers. Pardoned Dec. 14, 1897.
Jim Griswold-Murder. Dodge Superior Court. Sentence, life. Recommended by judge, solicitor-general, county officers and many citizens. Good conduct. Sentence commuted Dec. 15, 1897.
Neal Starks-Murder. Superior Court of Fulton. Sentence, life. . Quite young. Killing probably accident.al. Recommended by solieitor-general and number of citizens.
Ambrose Harris-Murder. Superior Comt of Chatham. Sentence, life. Was quiet and peaceful before crime committed. Killed a notoriously bad chamcter. Element of self-defense. Recommended by solicitor- gen-

40
eral, representatives, jury, county and city officers. Bad health. Pardoned Dec. 3, 1897.
L. \V. Strickland-Voluntary manslaughter. Pierce Superior Comi. Sentence, five years. Prntecting his yo'unger biother when critne was commited. Element of self-defense. The solicitor-general, judge, grand jury, trial jury, representative and senator, county officers all reccommend pal'don. Granted Dec. 3. 1897.
Frank :Martin-Burglary. Oglet,horpe Superior Court. Recommended by judge and solicitor-general and prosecutor. Granted Dec. 3, 1897.
y_ 11. Ponder-1Iurder. Superior Court of Cherokee. Sentence, life. Recommended by jurors, judge, solicitorgeneral, 500 c,itizens. Testimony of St~te's witnesses impeached. Good confederate soldier. Pardoned Nov. 16. 1897.
\Yilliam Hallman-1htnle_r. Oct., 1896. Whitfield Superior Court. Sentence, life. A great deal _doubt about guilt. :l\faterial witnesses for State all impeached. Recommended by judge, solicitor-general and foreman of jury. Conspiracy against him. Good conduct. Pardoned Sov. 22, 1897.
Ben Humphries-Burglary. Stew.art Superior Court. Sentence to penitentiary. Value of articles taken very small. Employ of party whose store was burglarized. Recorinnended by senator and representative. Pardoned November 24, 1897.
Scott. Wimbish-Burglary. Fulton Superior Court. Sentence, ten years. Recommended by Prison Commission, jnclge and soli~itor-ge~eral. Pardoned Sept. 28, 1898.

41
J. \V. Lee-Assault to murder. Habersham Superior Court. Sentence, thirteen years. Recommended bj; Prison Commission because of new testimony that tends to
proye guiltlessness. Granted Oct. 7, 1898.
MISDE11EANORS.
Oscar Mc1fahon-Burglary. Spalding Superior Court. Sentence, twelve mo3:ths. Recommended by Pr_ison Uommission, judge and solicitor-general. Granted April 14, 1898.
John \Vord-Burglary. Floyd Superior Court. Sentence, twelve months. Recommended by Prison Cimmiss10n. In last stages of consumption. Granted April 29, ]898.
George Graham-Selling liquor. Bartow Superior Court. Sentence, twelve months. Recommended by Prison Commission on account of death of his wife leiaving 5 children. Urged by judge. Granted :May 4, 1898.
Charles Gibby-Selling liquor. Hart Superior Court. Reconunended by prison commission. Sentence, commuted to payment $50 and costs. :May 6, 1898.
A. C. .Jackson-Larceny. ::Munay Superior Court. Sentence, one year in chaingang. Recommended_ by prison commission because urged by judge. Deiendant suffering with chronic pneumonia. Granted May 13, 1898.
\v..J. Phin1azee-Selling liquor. City Court of Mon-
roe. Sentence, fine $90 or four months in chaingang. InYalid-large family dependent. Recommended by judge . andsolicitc,r-general. Pardoned November 23, 1897.

42
Alex Brady-Selling liquor. City Court of Laiuens. Sentence, nine months in chaingang. Sole support of family. Good conduct. Recommended by judge, county officers, and many citizens. Pardoned November 27, 1897.
John Satterfield-Assault, three indictments. Lumpkin Superior Court. Recommended by judge and solicitorgeneral and citizens. Granted February 10, 1898.
Kid Lewis-Selling whiskey. County Court of "\Yalton. Twelve months in cha1ngang. Recommended by Prison Commission. Bad health, and other reasons. Granted }farch 16, 1898.
:;\1:yrtle Blake-Convic,ted of larceny. Criminal .Court Atlanta. Sentence, $100 or nine months in chaingang. Good conduct. Recommended by judge and solicitor, and chairman committee public works. Pardoned :Kon'mber 3, 1897.
,Jno. T. Long-Convicted April, 1897, Union Superior Court. Misdemeanor. Sentence, ,twelve months chaingang. \Veak-minded; terribly diseased. Recommended by senator, representatiYe 'and solicitor-general. Pardoned November 8, 1897.
Thos. Lockharl;'--Shooting a pistol on public highway. Sentence to chaingang. Recommended by judge. Pardoned November 10, 1897.
'J. Vv. Raven-Gambling. Clayton Superior Court.
Sentence, six months in chaingang. Recommended by mayor and council of Lovejoy, and many citizens. Parcloned November 13, 1897.
Sigmond Friedman. Forgery. Superior Court of Bibb.

43
Sentence, six months. Suffering with epilepsy. Served five months. Pardoned November 12, 1897.
Miles W all-:Misdemeanor. Rabun Superior Court. Sentence, twelve months. Recommended by prison commission. Youth and delicate health. Urged by judge,. grand jury, and many citizens. Granted May 17, 1898.
Rafe Ellison-Misdemeanor. vVhitfield Superior Qfrurt.
Sentence, twelve months. Reoommended hy judge, solicitor-general ,and many citizens. Pardoned May 24, 1898.
King Shubrick-Simple larceny. City Court Richmond. Sentence, ten months. Recommended by pardon ?oard; also by judge and solicitor. Granted May 24, 1898.
John Harri&-Burglary. Carroll Superim Court. Sentence, twelve months. Recommended by pris.on commission. One side paralyzed. Granted :May 26, 1898.
George Graham-Misdemeanor. Bartow Superior Court. Sentence, twelve months. Recommended by prison commission, judge, and many citizens. Granted June 4, 1898.
Gilbert Raper-Adulfery. Forsyth Superior Court. Sentence, twelve months. Rec_ommended by prison commission. Evidence circumstantial. Granted June 4, 1898.
Ed Shipp-Forgery. Coweta Superior Court. Sentence, four years. Recommended by prison commission, prosecutor, judge and solicitor-general. Granted June 10,. 1898.
Saunders wheeler-Assault. Forsyth Superior Court. Sentence, twenty-five dollars, or eight months. Recommended by prison commission, judge, solicitor-gener-ai,. grand jury, and many citizens. Granted June 21, 1898.

44
Joe Roper-Misdemeanor. Union Superior Court. Sen-tence, twelve months. Recommended by prison commission, judge and solicitor-general. Granted June 30, 1898,
Edward Clair-Cheating and swindling. Douglas Superior Court. Sentence, six months. Recommended by prison comm1ss10n. Badly diseased. Granted July 8. 1808.
MISDEMEANORS.
Carey Bennett-Larceny form the house. City Court of Atlanta. Sentence, six months. Recommended by prison commission. Pardoned July 8, 1898.
J. B. Briggs-Larceny after trust. Richmond ~upe-
nor Court. Sentence, twelve months. Recommended bf
prison commission. Larceny not intentional. Granted July 27, 1898.
Alfred Bastian-:Misdemeanor. Thomas County Court. Sentence, $500, or twelve months. Recommended by prison commission, judge and solicitor-general. Granted August 16, 1898.
Joe ~Iobley-l\1.isdemeanor. Cobb Superior Court. Sentence, six months. Recommended by prison commission, judge, solicitor-general. Granted August :26. 1896.
James Varner-Stealing a ride on railroad train. City Court of Newnan. Sentence $25.00 or six months. Young boy, didn't know he was violating law. Granted September 3, 1898.

45
Gu,s Rowl,and-Simple larceny. Greene County Court. Recommended by Prison Commission. Granted Se1)tember 29, 1898.
Henry Christian-Simple larceny. City Court of Elberton. Sentence, twelve months. Recommended by Prison Commission, judge and solicitor. Granted October 5, 1898.
J. W. Johnson-Adultery and Fornication. :Milton Superior Court. Sentence, twelve months. Recommended by Prison Commission, judge and solicitor-general. Granted October 6, 1898.
B. F. Matthews-Convicted August 1891. Paulding Superior Court. Murder. Sentence, life. Prejudice at time of trial. Asked for by jury, judge and large numbercitizens. Sentence commuted to ten years, November 6, 1897.
Dock Gross-Convicted :February, 1896. Glascock Superior Court. Burglary. Sentence, four years. Principal witness swore falsely on trial. Recommended by judge and solicitor-general. Pardoned November 6, 1897.
1 Disley Echols-Convicted Cmveta Superior Court, 1889. Infanticide. Sentence, life. Recommended by judge, solicitor-general, every county official and many citizens. Pardoned November 8, 1897.
L. H. Bass-Fornication. City Court Floyd. Sentence, $50.00 and cost or sixty days in jail. Recommended by Prison Commission ,and commuted to fine $25.00' December 29, 1897.
T. J. Askew-Selling whiskey. Fayette Superior Court. Sentence, $200.00 fine. Recommended by Prison Com

46
nuss10n and sentence commuted to fine of $100.00 and costs. December 29, 1897.
Edward C. Crawford-Larceny from the house. Ful-ton county. Sentence, three months in county jail, and $150.00 fine. Recommended by Prison Commission. -Quite young. Honest parents. Loser of goods recommends pardon. Sentence commuted to three months in jail, February 3, 1898.
Thos F. Allen-Murder. Bibb Superior Court. - Sentence, death. Prison Commission recommends commutation. In state of complete intoxication when crime committed. Seemed to be no malice. Recommended strongly by judge, solicitor-general, majority of jury. Largest petition from citizens ever presented at executive office. Sentence commuted ,to life impiisonment February 9, 1898.
George Gill-Murder. Troup Superior, Court. Sentence, death. Recommended by Prison Commission. Crime committed during a fight. Voluntary manslaugh-
ter. vVeapon used, not one usually likely to produce death.
Recommended by solicitor-general and county commissioners. Sentence commuted to life imprisonment February
u, 1898.
Dave }Jallard-Misdemeanor. Two indictments. Sentence c;ommuted upon recommendation of Prison Commission to fine of $100.00.
W. A. Williams-Assault and Battery. City Court Fulton county. Sentence six months in jail. Recommended by Prison Commission. Sentence commuted to two months in jail March 1, 1898.
Truman Orow--Selling whiskey. Forsyth Superior

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Court. Sentence, twelve months in chaingang. Recommended by Prison Commission on various grounds and sentence commuted to seven months March 9, 1898.
William Smith-l\forder. Troup Superior Court. Sentence, death. Recommended by Prison G_ommission or following reasons: Beastly state of intoxication when crime committed. X o malice. Previous good character. ProLably accidental. Recommended by judge and &olicitorgeneral and many citizens. Commuted to life irnprisonw.1ent ::\larch 10, 1898.
John 0. Patterson-Simple larceny. mty Court of Atlanta. Sentence, $50 and costs or three months. :Recommended by prison commission because of youth. Asked for hy prosecutor. , Commuted to $50 and costs or thirty ~fays in jail.
H. I. Akin. -S,elling whiskey. Paulding Superior Court. Sent~nce, $200 and costs, or twelve months in chaingang. Rec0nni1ended by prison commission because defendant 11oor man with large family. First offense. Recommended by county officers, judge and many citizens. Commuted to $100 fine March 19, 1898.
\Y illiam E. Saunders-Larceny from the house. Fulton Superior Court. Sentence, three years. Recommended by Prison Commission because of good conduct, recommendation of prosecutor, the grand jury, trial jury, municipal officers of Atlanta, county officers, one-half members of legislature. Granted March 28, 1898.
Henry Sims-Larceny from the house. Fulton Superior Court. Sentence, two years. Recommended by Prison Commission and sentenc_e commuted to one year. :March 28, 1898.

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Elizabeth Nobles-l\!Irnder. Twiggs Superior Court. Sentence, death. Recommended by Prison Commission. Either insane or very weak-minded old woman. Insanity in family. Been treated badly by her husband. Sentence commuted to life imprisonment J\Jarch 31, 1898.
Oscar Peak-Canying concealed weapons. Fulton Superior Court. Sentence, t.,'elve months in chaingang. Recommended by Prison Commission. Sentence commuted to two months in chaingang April 2, 1898.
Gus }'ambles-Murder. Twiggs Superior Court. Senten,ce, death. .Jointly indicted with :Mrs. Nobles. Recommended by Prison Commission because of commutation of Mrs. Nobles. Commuted to life imprisonment April 7r 1898.
Essex Jones-Burglary. Randolph . Superior -comt. Sentence, five years. Recommended by Prison Commission because asked for by judge and prosecutor. Defendant old man. Commuted to three years and ten month;, April 14, 1898.
\Vm. J. Cro-w-Selling liquor. Forsyth Superior Court. Sentenc_e, aggregates $1250 or five years in chaingang. Recommended by Prison Commission. Commuted to fine of $150.00 or three mc.nths J\fay 17, 1898.
warren Hightower-Larceny. City Court of Atlanta. Sentence, $50.00 and costs or twelve months. Recommended by Prison Commission and judge and solicitor. Commuted to payment of $50.00 August 16, 1898.
George Dillard-Misdemeanor. Hous,tonCounty Court. Sentence, $30.00 fine or twelve months in _chaingang.

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Recommended by Prison Commission. Commuted to payment of $30.00 August 22, 1898.
William Billings-Stabbing. Fulton Superior Court. Sentence, twelve months in chaingang, six months in jail and $1000 fine. Recommended by _Prison Commission and judge. Commuted to twelve montJ.w in chaingang and six months in jail August 23, 1898.
E. :F. Shewmake-Concealed weapons. Monroe Superior Court. Sentence) fine $250.00 and costs. Recommended by Prison Commission, solicitor-general, county and city officers. Commuted to $60.00 and costs August 26, 1898.
RESPITES.
Gus Fambles-Murder. Respite granted November 17, 1898.
Grady Reynolds-Murder. Respited 30 days until case of Brooks could be heiard in Supreme Court December 1, 1897.
Tom Cyrus-Murder. Fulton Superior Court. Respite thirty days granted December 22, 1807.
Tom Allen-Murder. Bibb Superior Court. Respited until February 11, 1898. December 24, 1897.
Gus Fambles-Murder. Twiggs Superior Courl. Respited until February 11, 1898.
"William Smith-Murder. Troup Superior Court. Res~ pifod until February 25, 1898, for further investigation.
Gus Fambles-Mnrder. Respited until March 18, 1898.
Mrs. Nobles-J\Inrder. TIPspitPd until April 1st, 1898,

50
so that a full commission could act on her ca,ie. 1\farch ~2, 1898.
John "\Veaver-Rape. Upson Superior Court. Sentence death. Respited until ,July 1, 1898, for further investigation.
John ,Veaver-Rape. Upson Superior Court. Sentence death. Respite granted for further investigation, July 1, 1898.
;rohn ,Veaver-Rape. Respited until July 1; 1898.
REMOY AL OF DISABILITIES.
Jefferson ,Vaters-Robbery. Chatham Superior Court. Sentence, six years. Recommended by Prison Commission on account of good conduct since. Disabihties remOYed 1\larch Hi, 1898.
Greene Hardin-Simple larceny. Rockdale Superior Court. Sentence, twelve months in chaingang. Recommended by Prison Commission for subsequent good character March 19, 1898.
Joseph Seales-Assault to murder. Chatham Superior Court. Sentence, six years in penitentiary. Sentence discharged. Recomme~1ded by Prison Commission. Disabilities removed May 24, 1894.
G. w. Spratlin-Forgery. Fulton Superior Court.
Sentence, fiye years. Recommended by PriBon Commission. Upright citizi."n. Disabilities remoYed ~lay 24, lSDS.
Colmnlm;; Scott-Cattle ;;tealing.. Baldwin Superior Court. Discharged sentence. Good citizen. Recommend-

51
ed by prison commission. Disabilities removed August 16, 1898.
John Bell-Misdemeanor. Served sentence in chaingang. Disabilities remornd November 8, 1897.
Fayette Smith-Misdemeanor. Paid fine. Disabilities removed November 8, 1897.
Rufus Lumpkin-Misdemeanor. Discharged his sentence. Disabilities removed November 8, 1897.
Robert Cowan-Misdemeanor. Discharged sentence. Disabilities removed N onmber 8, 1897.
Alonzo J ones-1Iisdemeanor. Discharged sentence. Uisabilities removed November S, 1897.
Geo. Jenkins-Misdemeanor. Discharged sentence. Disabilities removed November 8, 1897.
Jake Barrett~Misdemeanor. Discharged sentence. Disabilities removed November 16, 1897.
W. G. Fairchild-Voluntary manslaughter. Served out sentence. Disabilities removed December 8, 1897.
Andrew Lawrence-Assault to murder. Bibb Superior Court. Sentence, three years. Recommended by prison commission. Disabilities removed February 18, 1898.
RECAPITULATION.
Felonies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 :Misdemeanor~ ................................. 31 Commutation of Sentences. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Respites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Disabilities removed ............................ 14
Total granted ........................... 108