The Columbia herald. [volume], February 13, 1891, SUPPLEMENT, Image 7

About The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935

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V
GOV. TAILOR'S MESSAGE.
The Last Communication on
State Affairs by the .Re
tiring: Governor.
HIS ADMINISTEATION REVIEWED.
Numerous Subjects Discussed and
A Number of Recommend
ations Made.
Below we publlnh tbe final message of
Got. Robert L. Taylor to the Forty-sixth
General Assembly.
To tbe Senate ana House of Representatives
of tbe Forty-sixth General Assembly of tbe
State of Tenneuee Gentlemen: Tennessee has
achieved wonderrul ;a.-cw n material growth
in the past quarter centni7 . .T? "xrim-vis-ajred
war bad smoothed its wrinkled front," it
left naught bnt wasted fields and devastated
homes. Desolation reigned supreme, and there
was nothing left but the soil and the determi
atiou of a people decimated in numbers but
strong in purpose to retrieve their lost fortunes.
The credit of the State was ruined, its treasury
empty, its school-bouses in ashes, and all its in
stitutions in chaotic condition. For years our
people have struggled to restore prosperity to
the commonwealth, to rebuild its waste places
and start it again upon the road to fortune.
When I came into tbe executive office in 1887, 1
found our finances in the severe straits incident
to tbe incomplete processes of readjustment
tbst bad been set on foot and with a seemingly
inadequate revenue; but tbe planof fundinsrhas
been resolutely carried to practical completion,
very obligation has been met punctually, and
public con tidence in tlie State's perfect ability
to meet every demand has been completely es
tablished. The necessity for negotiating loans
bas been gradually diminished until at the be
ginning of my second term I felt justified in
predicting to your predecessors that the
achievements of the few preceding years fore
shadowed the possibility that two years more
would see Tennessee emancipated from the
thralldom of uuweildy obligations. How well
that prediction baa been verified is found in tbe
happy announcement I now make that this
present hour witnesses for the first time since
the debt was funded tbe ability of the State to
Beet its semi-annual interest without the ne
cessity or borrowing a dollar. While successive
Legislatures and officials have labored wisely
and earnestly to meet this end, candor and jus
tice compel me to say that its thus early ac
complishment is due to tbe ecouomic
.wisdom, energy and watchfulness of our
present Comptroller, Hon. J. W. Allen, and to
the financial ability of our exceellnt Treasurer,
Hon. M. F. House. The figures o their reports
tell the tale. Assessments were never before
managed with more ability, and collections
were never enforced so rigidly. The law bas
been splendidly executed to the letter, and i
hardship has resulted anywhere it is due to
rlKorous laws and not to the officers sworn to
their faithful execution. An increase in the
revenues ot above 400,u00, and a delinquency
of only 3o0a in an assessment of millions, is
tbe measure of the superior efficiency employed
and tells in trumpet tones how well these faith
ful officials have served their people. One of
them bas acquired the anomalous reputation
of being the most liberal man with bis own
means and the mo3t careful with the State's
money ever known in her capitol.
During the past two years there bas been an
increase in receipts of 41tf,608.j3, and in the
tonr years an increase of (13,000,000 in taxable
property. This increase is not for one year
alone it comes to stay and to afford a perpet
ual source of revenue and if the methods and
energies now being used are continued, the day
is not distant wbeu Tennessee will be without
a debt. It will be observed also that our loan
account is decreased Jo.tOO, and that tbe rev
enues now in sight will retire the balance ow
ing of 1409,797.10, and the probability is that tbe
smiilHoan to be negotiated next July will be
thelast. The reports of the financial offlccis
arssolull aud explicit, and abound in such
wholesome suggestions to your honorable
bodies that I deem it unnecessary to recapitu
.ate further. 1 would earnestly recommend
t :at tbe policies now being pursued, yielding as
ley do bo richlv in results, be not disturbed,
1 't strengthened by the endorsement of the
representatives of the people. I need
not admonish your honorable bodies that the
tri' ulations through which we have reached,
sigbt of safe harbor is a warning to strict eeon-om;-.
I slior.ld feel that the sweetest fruits of
all ihe effort and privations or the past would
be lo6t if the present policies are not prosecuted
until the foundations ol a sinking fund are se
curely made for the extinguishment of tbe
principal of the -debt. Touching the matter
and manner of the collection of revenues, we
seem to be upon a better road than we have
ever traveled. Exactly equal assessment laws
exist only ideally. You cannot hope to adjust
every 6pecies of property to ils precise relative
value, and neither can yon stifle tbe voice of
the grumbler. You cannot expect to have all
the as-esMirs rend tbe laws alike, nor collectors
t work with equal energy. Approximate per
lecliun only is possible aud when tae results re
veal such approximation, it would seem to be
wise to rest there.
THE r-ENITENTIABY.
The recent destruction by fire of the work
shops at the main prison opens the way to a
consummation demanded by every consider
ation, i. e., the removal of the penitentiary out
side tbe limits of the city of Nashville. The
only item in tbe consideration that is suscepti
ble to argument is tnat of expense, and the
weighty reasons that will be pressed upon your
attention by wise and patriotic men and wvmcn
I would emphasize with my most empbf en
dorsement. The petition and argument the
Commercial Club or this city, assigning unan
swerable reasons for the removal I particularly
commend to your attention.
Tbe facility with which the extraordinary
expenditures incurred in building our new
asylums were met and the Bank of Tennessee
obligations were taken up, amounting together
to above a tl,5o0,0oo. at a time when revenues
bore small proportion to expenditures, fur
nishes safe assurance that this work may be
undertaken at this more favorable juncture
without jeopardizing the credit f tbe fctate.
The couditions of the lease and the iuterests of
the lessees will not permit unnecessary delay
in rebuilding, and whatever provision is made,
baste iu building must be a prime consideration.
If convicts are to be employed in the work a
contract outside of the lease must be made
with the lessees. The labor of convicts does
not now belong to the State, but I doubt rot the
interests of tbelessces being so largely involved
they will be found ready to make any reasona
ble contract to release a number of convicts to
the State for the rougher work of ibis under
taking. In my opinion there is not another Interest
with which your honorable bodies are cbarged
that appeal so graveiy to ycur attention as that
of prison management. Fifteen hundred of
our fcllow-creaiures are immured there, and
thousands of hearts are bleeding and breaking
for them. I hare sougbt by all means that I
have exerted to impress upon its managers and
its inmates tbe idea of reformation. It should
not be a place of punishment alone, but a place
of reclamation. If the modern system of pa
roles and rewards for good conduct was inau
gurated here it wou'd work great good to the
eon victa, to society and to the State. I earn
estly recommend that you renitentiary Com
mittees make inqniry into this matter and set
on foot well-devised methods looking to refor
mation and reclamation. I desire to say in
this connection that the prisons have been
excellently managed. The wonderful de
crease in the mortality record speaks elo
quently in praise of the officials and the
lessees and the general universal improvement
In morals, resulting in better conduct, better
iscipline, better work, fewer escapes, fewerd
mutinies, less trouble and better results gener
ally, furnish conclusive evidences of wnat in
fiiiiiely better results would follow a well-considered
system. Fifteen hundred wretched hu
man beings appear to yon in their humiliation
and the tears and anguish of thousands of our
women and children, our friends and neighbor'
and kindred piteously beseech you. In the
name of God and humanity I b.ive sought to do
mvdutv mercifully towards my unfortunate
fellow-man, and have felt that I have bad noi
hiprher obligation upon me than lo listen
patiently to the appeals of their friends, their
mo'l.ers and wives and children, and to afford
such consolation as I could; and the conscious-,.
ness that I may have saved some beiug from
dishonor and a career of crime to bless bis
family and society and save nil own oul,-to
sweetest solace I carry with me into retirement.
I adjure you, gentlemen, to give this matter
your most serious consideration.
CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS.
Our insane asylums nre all iu splendid con
dition and are doing a noble work . Tho recent
increased accommodations provided and the
avidity with which they were seized evinces
the supremo need that existed for them. They
should be most liberally sustained. God's poor
and those whom for some inscrutable purpose
He has bereft of reason are the most holy
charge opon the State.
The Tennessee Industrial School deserves
more liberal sustenance. It is doing a great
wovk and there could not be too much effort
and means expended to reclaim and reform
wayward children.
I had the honor to recommend to your prede
cessors tbe establishment of a reformatory in
stitution for youthful criminals, and herewith
renew it. It is cruel to send children to asso
ciate with criminals and educate them thu
into crime. In the absence of any such provi
sions I have felt it a duty I owed to humanity
and society to pardon children as fast as they
arrived at tbe penitentiary. Doubtless ample
provision could be made for thorn at the Indus
trial School, keeping them separated from the
other inmates. It bhould not longer be neg
lected. Modern humanitarians have pressed their
work so assiduously in recent years that the
laud is covered with charitable institutions for
the amelioration of every phase of poverty,
want and affliction. Tennessee is not in pace
with the more advanced effort. She has been
bumpered for means, but she has not been en
tirely neglectful. These charities should have
our first attention and aid.
The next venture we make into this benefi
cent field should be the establishment of a
school for youthful imbeciles. Other States
have tnem and it is found that by bringing
them together and employing scientific agen
cies in their behalf many cures have followed.
These agencies are not ordinarily available
throughout the country and tbe result is that
many children are permitted to remain imbe
cile and degenerate into idiocy for lack of
early expert at'ention aud training. Such a
school could doubtless be made nearly self-sustaining
after a time, but it cannot be estab
lished and successfully started unless the state
begins and fosters it.
STATE BOARD OF HEALTH.
In making provision for the interests of the
people of Tennessee the efficient support of the
Mate Board of Health should be carefully
looked after. From a personal knowledge of
its work, I can speak highly of its value, both
in preventing the spread of disease in Tennes
see and in promoting the best character of im
migration. Jt is also of great public utility by
maintaining an efficient State weather service
in co-operation with the Federal Government.
This board should be furnished with additional
means for disseminating information among
tbe people, and also for investigating tbe dis
eases of animals, by which damage is done lo
the public health.
EDUCATIONAL INTERESTS.
While I have sought by all means in my
power to conserve the interests of the Stato
and the people in every department that my
supervision encompassed, I have been most es
pecially anxious and diligent in promoting our
educational system. When I came intoollice I
found our common schools languishing and the
leading State university almost iu ruins.
There was a general apathy and lack of effort,
superinduced by the failure of the schools to
meet the wants of the people. The appoint
ment of Hon. Frank M. Smith to be Superin
tendent of Public Instruction breathed lire into
the expiring system. Under his intelligent di
rection the very best methods and expedients,
born of modern experience and thought, has
been injected into the system, not only render
ing the schools effective for good, but popular
izing them and bringing- the people to
their support. The effect has not
stopped with the public schcols, but
new energy and life has been infused into the
entire fabric, increasing facilities, bringing
tho people into a more intelligent appreciation
of the importance of educating their children,
until schoolsof all classes are multiplied, do
infinitely better and more general work, reach
ing into remotest confines and bringing all the
children of all the people within its benefits.
When that end is entirely reached, in my
opinion, the greatest and most beneficent boon
within the province of tbe .State to bestow will
have been conferred upon ber people.
The General Assembly of Tennessee, rep
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rcsentatives and servants of the people, cannot
go too far in enacting laws for the enoourage
ment of education, and especially the exten
sion and perfection of our publio school system.
It is significant that in the conntiea in which
the sosiools are most liberally sustained, better
prosperity obtains and the people are happier
and better off, and in view of the fact that the
law as it now exists leaves to the counties tho
determination of the amount of tax that shall
be levied for this purpose, it would perhaps
lead to more liberal provisions being made if
your honorable bodies should, by resolution or
otherwise, counsel the County Courts to greater
liberality in those connties that seem not to be
in pace with the advanced educational thought
and effort that is obtaining all over the land.
UNIVERSITY OF TEUNES8EE.
The most wonderful and gratifying resusci
tation that ever came within my knowledge is
tbe rehabilitation of the University of Tennes
see Four years ago I found it almost literally
in ruins, with buildings decaying, its work
languishing and almost ready to succumb.
Immediately Dr. Charles W. Dabney, Jr., was
called to its management, and within this short
period, by means of most superior tact and en
ergy, with an ability and a knowledge of mod
ern educational expedient rarely equalled, he
has brought order irom chaos, and by resort to
excellent financial strategem, has builded and
added and enlarged until he has made it a model
modern institution, inferior to none in the
South an institution that should bo the pride
of every Tennessean, worthy of unlimited
patronago and fully able te confer the highest
order of educational benefit. Dr. Dabney has
been ably sustained and assisted by a splendid
faculty and an eminently wiue-awake Board
of Trustees, who, while sharing with him the
labors that have accomplished the miraculous
results and entitled to proportionate honors,
yield to him the superior credit of being the
master hand iu the great work.
AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT.
This department bas undergone a revolution
in its methods aud purposes within tho past
four years. When I came into office I found
that there was a c.isppsition to abolish it alto
gether, but the present commissioner, Hon. B.
JI. Hold, immediately set about making it an
instrument of benefit to the farming classes,
and so abundant have been these benefits that
it now commends itself as an indispensable ad
junct of State Government. I am of tbe opin
ion, however, that the time has arrived when
this department can more profitably turn its
attention and divide its effort toward the ac
complishment of immigration, and to that end
a. more liberal appropriation should be allowed
it for the purpose of printing and disseminating
maps and statistics and such matter of the
kind as will attract immigration and invest
ment. There should be better matured plans
more rigidly prosecuted, and tho vesults I am
persuaded will more than requite the expendi
ture and effort. Tbe department bas been ex
cellently and honorably managed and much
good has resulted, but its scope may be profita
bly widened and its ben fits multiplied if your
honorable bodies take the viow of it here sug
gested and provide the means and direct its ac
complishment. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY.
In view of the great interest the immense re
ronrces of the State have assumed, and the
great and pressing demand for Information
relative to them, I desire to call your attention
to the importance of encouraging and enlarging
the work of the Geological Survey of the State,
and especially to the importance of having the
reports and results of each work published and
presented in proper form to tbe people of tne
State and of the world. It is anomalous that
while work bas been done and reports in due
lime presented, the Legislature has neglected
to make any provision for their publication.
No report has been printed since the appear
ance of Dr. Safford's "Geology of Tennessee"
in 1&63. Since that this has been the great
authority as to our mineral resources and geo
logical formations in their phases. But now,
unfortunately, the book, while greatly in de
mand, is wholly out of print and cannot be ob
tained. It would appear that tbe time bas
come for a new edition of this work, an edition
which shall embrace in a simple, practical
and digested form not only the matter of the
original work but all the mass of new facts and
material which has been gathered and has ac
cumulated from year to year since 1S09. The
matter is recommended to you for your favora
ble consideration. ,
THE MILITARY.
The report of the Adjutant-General 6hows
a decrease in the number of volunteers in the
J.z& tlxe Strongest,
GREATLY
$3 50
4 00
- 4 50
5 50
- 7 00
i w E ti Lis EiP
See Our Seed
Rational Guard. The maintenance of the guard j
depends upon the patriotism and enthusiasm of
ouryonng men, and that has been dampened
by the failure of the State to make adequate
provision to sustain it. It bas been the par
pose to enlist large numbers, the appropriation
from the National Government being iimited,
and the reduction in numbers was made with
a view to increased efficiency. The guard now
is in amply efficient condition to
meet any demand the State may make for its
services, but there are not adequate means and
facilities at band to foster and keep alive a
general interest. If the military spirit is to be
fastered more ndeqnate appropriation should
be made and tbe Adjutant-General Bhould be
relieved of the duties of Private Secretary to
the Governor. He has been forced to subordi
nate the military interests to his other duties
for lack of time properly to attend to both.
With an Adjutant-General who can give un
divided attention to his duties and an appro
priation sufficient to cover the expenses of an
annual encampment, efficiency of tho Guard is
assured.
ELECTION LAWS.
Our system of election laws have already been
found to be defective iu some minor details that
can be easily remedied. That their tendency is
lo securo a fairer and fuller expression of in
telligent popular will is already demonstrated,
and they should be cured of such defects as ex
ist. I call your honorable bodies' attention
particularly to the loose provisions respecting
the exhibition of poll-tax receipts. The law
provides that tho judges of election must be
satisfied that the citizen offering his ballot has
paid his poll tax, and it is claimed that in some
counties it has been almost altogether evaded,
tbe judges accepting all ballots presented, tak
ing it for granted tho voter has paid his poll
and taking his presentation of his ballot as an
assertion of that fact, with which they profess
to be satisfied. The law should be amended so
as to provide that the Trustee or Assessor shall
make out a fu'.l list of all persons who have
paid their polls up to a time stated, say the day
preceding, aud iurnish such liet lo the election
officers, and providing that no man shall be
permitted to vote who is not thus shown to be
eligible.
A conflict is impending between Federal and
and Stale authorities in the management of
elections, which, in my opiuion, if persisted in,
threatens the stability of the Republic. 1 have
no fear but that, whatever the temporary dis
position of this question may be, in the end the
intelligence and patriotism of the people will
prevail, and the right of the State to the sole
management of elections be maintained. In
the meantime it behooves us to perfect our
laws with a view to rigid and exact fairness,
and a full, free and intelligent expression of
the will of the people, and boldly maintain and
execute them fairly and impartially, tbus fore
stalling any reason for Federal interference and
stoutly maintaining the sole right of the State
to control this, its own affair.
THE WORLD'S EXPOSITION.
The World's Columbian Kxposition to beheld
in the city of Chicago in 1803 will be the grand
est international and national expedition ever
held on earth. Other States are already beam
ing to prepare for a proper representation of
their products and resources, aud Tennessee
cannot afford to neglect this opportunity to ad
vertise herself to the world. Apart from the
patriotic motives that should animate us to as
sist in making tbe occasion memorable and
successful, there will be an opportunity to lay
before the assembled intelligence of the world
such evidences of our wealth and capabilities
as will result largely to our benefit, and tbe
amount of effort we exert w ill be the measure
of the benefits derived. A large appropriation
for this purpose will be monry loaned at great
interest. I present herewith certain sugges
tions matured by tho commission which will
aid your honorable bodies in perfecting the
initial work, and a copy of a bill carefully
drawn which has been presented to all the States
to secure uniformity of nation. They may
serve to guide your commiitees if you should
determine to act iu the premises.
CUI0KAMAU9A PARK.
The United States Government bas made
provisions for tho establishment of a National
military park at the battlefield of Cbickainau
ga at Chattanooga. Ample appropriations
have been made to establish a park that will
be an ornament to the South and will preserve
for all time the scene of one of tho most re
markable battles in tbe unnals of war, but tbe
commissioners have pmcee led as far a they
can until the State of Tennessee shall cede to
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CONTINUED TO FOIBTH PAGE. KM'h .JUIHH I iriMirm
NO. 3 PLOW, RIGHT OR LEFT,
NO. 4 PLOW, RIGHT OR LEFT,
NO. 10 PLOW, RIGHT OR LEFT,
NO. 15 PLOW, RIGHT OR LEFT,
STEEL BEAM PLOWS
R WJXJL SUFP2L1T YOU AT THESE PRICES.
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Quotations in the Market Reports Elsewhere
"DNDREDS of Milliners
they are more successful
bought of us than any other house in the coun
try. With 20 years' experience, we know
precisely what will sell, and therefore only
buy first-class selling goods, and in buying of
ns you get no "stickers," and have at the end
of the season no bad stock left over. Our
enormous Retail Business enables us to offer
you a great many advantages. You can have
the assistance of our Milliners and come to our
work-rooms and get pointers, see the new
styles and copy anything you wish. We save
an expense of 20 per cent, in not sending drum
mers out, and YOU derive the benefit. Be
sure and call on us for your stock; it will be
the best and most profitable trip you ever
made. L. JOXAS & CO., 410 Union St.
Best elticL
FOR 189
$8 50
9 00
- 9 50
9 50
- 1 00
EXTRA
in 11 M W'y y.M 11 . i XW
WW Irm "
will testify that
with Millinery
M1
"ERCIIAXTS
and be up
should advertise. To do so, they should
buy accordingly. We carry many Leaders,
bought especially for this purpose, and show
hundreds of Novelties which other wholesale
houses don't think of procuring. When wo
say "Novelties" we mean "New Things" just
out. Low price Novelties, to retail at 5, 10
and 25c, as w ell as higher price goods, snch as
will tone up a stock and give a merchant tho
name of having the prettiest stock in town.
You should also buy your Hats of ns. We
trim them in our Millinery Department, and
they sell at sight. Call on us and give us a
look. Don't care if you don't buy.
Retail Department, L. JONAS & CO.,
"The Palace." 410 Union St., Nashville.
Manufacturers, Importers, Jobbers and
Retailers of 3Iillinery, Notions, Taney Goods,
Embroideries, Laces, White Goods, Yarns,
Zephyrs, etc.
Gliesipest.
- RETAIL PRICE:
NO. 302 HILLSIDE PLOW,
NO. 304 HILLSIDE PLOW,
NO. 306 HILLSIDE PLOW,
NO. 305 STEEL BEAM PLOW,
Best Hillside Plows on tho Markot.
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LlHr-i rr III r3 $'sM
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turn:
in This Paper.
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who wish to be wide awake
with tho city merchant.
$ 7 00
9 00 1
- 12 00
13 00
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