above table), were largely of pine, which was shipped mainly to the Eastern States, though a portion of it went to foreign markets. The hard woods are largely used in the production of furniture. The planing-mill products, including sash, doors, etc., were valued at $4,300,000. From the pine forests in the southern counties are secured enormous quantities of turpentine and rosin almost equal in value to the timber products themselves. The product increased during the decade from $4,200,000 to $8,000,800 in that region.
Transportation and Commerce. The superior transportation facilities of Georgia are largely responsible for its advanced industrial position among the Southern States. Railway construction dates from an early time. The Central of Georgia was built from Savannah to Macon in 1833. In 1860 the mileage of 1420 was exceeded by only five other States. The period from 1880 to 1890 showed an increase from 2460 to 4600 miles. In 1900 the mileage was 5650. There are 57 lines in the State, of which the longest are the Central of Georgia, Southern Railway, Seaboard Air Line, Plant System, and the Georgia. The State Railway Commission fixes rates, and the companies are subject to penalties for their violation. The railroads of Georgia no longer question the constitutionality of this commission. The State has recently taken a decided stand in behalf of good highways, and it now has several hundred miles of macadamized roads. The law enables the counties to assess special road taxes, besides a commutation tax on all males, and provides for the employment of convict or free labor. Many of the counties have taken advantage of these provisions. The number of large rivers offers advantages of water navigation to a large portion of the State. The Savannah on the east is navigable to Augusta, and the Chattahoochee on the west to Columbus, giving an outlet to the Gulf, while the intervening streams, Flint, Altamaha, and others, are navigable for considerable distances. The city of Rome, in the northwest portion of the State, has the advantages of water navigation through the Coosa and Oostanaula rivers. Though the coast-line is not extensive, there are the excellent harbors of Savannah, Brunswick, and Saint Mary's, the former ranking eighth in order of importance as to foreign commerce among American ports, being the largest Atlantic port south of Baltimore. The foreign exports from Savannah in 1901 exceeded $46,738,967, and from Brunswick $7,952,637. The largest part of this was manufactured cotton; other important items were naval stores (spirits of turpentine and rosin) and fertilizers.
Banks. There were, in 1900, 171 State banks in operation, with $8,735,327 capital, $22,009,064 deposits, and $27,753,942 loans. There were also 27 national banks with a capital of $3,556,000, 22 private banks with $605,123 capital, and 11 loan and trust companies with a capital of $1,194,650. It is necessary to have a capital stock of $25,000 in order to establish a State bank.
Government. The present Constitution was ratified by a vote of the people in December, 1877. Proposed amendments must receive a two-thirds majority vote in each House, and a majority vote of the electors qualified to vote for members of the Assembly, each amendment being voted on separately. A two-thirds vote of the members of each House is required in order to call a constitutional convention. The right of suffrage is limited to men twenty-one years of age who have been citizens of the State one year and of the county six months, and have paid assessed taxes, and registered.
Executive. The Governor, Secretary of State, Comptroller-General, and Treasurer are elected by the people. The Governor, who holds office for two years, may serve two terms consecutively, but is then ineligible for four years. The President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House, respectively, succeed to the Governorship in case that office has become vacant. The Governor has the usual power of granting reprieves, pardons, etc. A two-thirds vote of each House overcomes the Governor's veto. The right of veto may be exercised against any item of an appropriation bill.
Legislative. Senators (44) and Representatives (175) are chosen for two years. There are 44 Senatorial districts, composed of contiguous undivided counties. Representatives are elected from counties on the basis of population, and the counties can neither be joined nor divided. The elections are biennial in October of the even years. Sessions of the Legislature are annual, and limited to fifty days; pay of members is $4.00 per day and mileage. The seat of a member of either House shall be vacated on his removal from the district or county from which he was elected. The House of Representatives has the power of impeachment and the Senate the right to try impeachments. Money appropriations must originate in the House of Representatives. The general appropriation bill can embrace only the ordinary expenses, and every other subject of appropriation must be included in a bill by itself. Every bill requires a majority vote of all the members elected to each House.
Judicial. The Supreme Court consists of a chief justice and five associate justices, chosen by popular election for terms of six years. There is a Superior Court judge for each judicial circuit, the judge being elected by the General Assembly for the term of four years. The Superior Court must sit in each county not less than twice in each year. The powers of a court of ordinary and of probate are vested in an ordinary for each county, and in each militia district the voters elect a justice of the peace, whose term of office is four years, as is also that of the county ordinary. The people elect an Attorney-General for the State, and the General Assembly elects a Solicitor-General for each judicial court.
Other Constitutional and Statutory Provisions. Legal interest is seven per cent., and the rate allowed by contract is eight. Judgments outlaw in seven years, notes in six years, and open accounts in four years. Cruel treatment; habitual intoxication; willful desertion for three years; conviction for offense involving moral turpitude, and under which the person has been sentenced for two years or longer, are the chief causes for divorce. The concurrent verdicts of two juries at different terms of the court are necessary in order to secure a total divorce. Property owned by a woman at marriage and that subsequently gained by her are her own, and inalienable. The State cannot make an agreement with any corporation the effect of which is to lessen competition or encourage monopoly.
