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& .ZvA- *** '*•» I 7 im I U m - A ik , 1 TlGr ( lib RAR 5- --4^il G©ab e Wg® IN THg S~ VOLUME ONE. NO. FOETY-SE VEN. WHAT WE THINK OF WHAT WE SEE We know the paragraphs on this page will in crease the sum total of human wisdom; but if we could only know that it "would make our readers happier, we -would be, oh! so glad; so here is the best recipe from the prescription book of our friend, Josh Billings: “I hav made up mi mind that human happiness konsists in having a good deal to do and then keep doing it.” Something must be done about this divorce question. Up in Michigan, recently, a bride of eighty years secured a divorce from her bride groom of eighty-two, just because he chewed and smoked. When she gets older she will realize that there are many, very many, worse things in the world than using tobacco. Now, there is an ar gument in favor of our position that too youthful marriages should be prohibited. Years ago it was announced by a great American that the need of the country was institutions of higher learning, and it was urged, further, that edu cation had away of filtering down through the strata until it reached even the lowest levels. Proof has come in the form of a news item that a hen on the campus of Cornell University has laid two hundred and twenty-five eggs in ten months. Even exposure to education counts for much. What a revolution will be worked by the new agricultural schools! The atrocities which have been occurring in the Congo Free 'State are attracting the attention of the civilized world. It is a matter of pride to every American that the people of our country are taking a real and heartfelt interest in all the steps being made to protect the natives. Owing to the location of that territory, so far removed from our shores, and, at the same lime, entirely within the jurisdiction, on the doorstep it might be said, of other countries, the United States cannot directly interfere. But the heart of humanity has been touched and the cruelties now being practic ed by the underlings of King Leopold will not con tinue much longer. Isn’t it a pity (whisper) that Uncle Sam can’t benevolently restrain those fiends with the Krag? There is no danger of “race suicide” in this country except in one way. Child-labor is the real race suicide. Georgia’s child labor law, which goes into effect this year, marks a splendid step in the right direction in the matter of protecting the young of this commonwealth. The law is good, but it is not yet strong enough. The time is com ing when public sentiment will not permit young bodies to be dwarfed and young lives to be clouded by confinement in unhealthy factories for six whole days a week. Some day the state will not only forbid such things to happen; it will, in addition, see to it that the children of the poor are educat ed up to a certain point, and that the classes who now grow up into-a diseased and ignorant maturity, will be equipped for citizenship and usefulness. ATLANTA, GA., JANUARY 10, 1907. There is a Roosevelt Third Term Club in full fledged existence now. As the name would indi cate, the club is formed for the purpose of thrust ing upon President Roosevelt a third term. In the announcement of the reasons for the formation of the club it is stated in substance that it has been rumored that Mr. Roosevelt would decline a third term, but that the promoters of the club are much better informed as to the needs of the country than is he, and it being well known that he is the man for the place, it is the duty of every good cit izen to assist in electing him anyhow—and then in making him serve. The country just at this time seems to be suffering in spots from a violent form of acute clubitis. There would be some measure of sense in the formation of a Platt and Depew Resignation Club. Let’s agitate that for a time. The Life of Mrs. Mary Baker G. Eddy, the found er and present head of Christian Science, has begun in the January number of McClure’s Magazine. This installment deals with Mrs. Eddy’s childhood, with some of her family history, and with an ac count of the succession of husbands belonging to her. Mrs. Eddy gives out an article to the press in which she says that the history so far is all right, save in one respect; namely, that it is all wrong. Sometimes she seems to directly deny certain state ments made in the* magazine article; on other points, however, her denials are in the nature of lawyer-like avoidance of the fact in question. As a matter of fact, the Life has not yet proceeded far enough to touch upon any of the issues which, to the public, are of real consequence. What we want to know is, just how much there is to Mrs. Eddy now as head of the Christian Science faith. Her honesty and not her health is what concerns us most. The free pass has passed. So sad! There is a comfort afforded by a ride on a free pass that is equalled by but few things in this cruel world. Then there is such a swelling dignity attached to the handing out of a pass when other wayfarers around you are having to cough up three cents per. We hope every one will be reconciled and not suffer as did the dyspeptic and pessimistic man who was once making a long railway journey. He was sitting beside the window, looking out very intently and scowling. His fellow passengers noticed him, and as his anger was very apparently increasing, and the cause of it seemingly being in the landscape swiftly whirling past the windows, one made bold to approach and inquire what trou bled and annoyed him so. “Stranger,” said the disgruntled one, “do you see them mile-posts? Well, I can’t help thinking that every time one of them goes a-whoopin’ by these windows, I have spent three good cents of my money!” Elsewhere in this paper we mention the gift made by Mr. Rockefeller to Chicago University of three million dollars as a New Year’s gift. About the same time it was announced that Mrs. Rocke feller had said to some guests that she liked oysters but they could not afford to have them. Now, think of that! We have never heard of a man who ground his poor wife and family like Mr. Rocke feller does. He denies them oysters in order that he may save enough during the year to make a present to Chicago University. Think of the num bers of times that- good woman could have had a half-fry, or a stew or a dozen on the half, out of that three million dollars. No doubt she likes oysters. They may be her pet dish, yet she can’t have them on her table. Why, even working peo ple in this town have oysters to eat. We should certainly be thankful that we are what we are. It may be depended upon that most of the folks who put their money in big colleges have to live hard at home and wear a wig to make up for it. It is even rumored that Mr. Rockefeller adopted that wig habit after he had foreseen the advance in the price of a haircut. We, for one, do not hesi tate to condemn him. Atlanta, Georgia, U. S. A., is a thriving and re- • markable town. There are many ways in which she sets the pace. Notable among the joyful and useful customs of the town is the manner regular ly adopted by members of public boards in settling questions involving the interests of citizens and of the city. Let a matter arise in which there is a division of opinion among the members of the council, say, for instance. The question is stated and sides taken. Then some prominent man on one side rises to remark, and an opponent also arises and remarks. The first remarker then as serts that he is able to prove that second ditto is a liar, and that years ago he did a terrible, oh, a most disgraceful thing. Second ditto takes an inning and declares, frankly, that all said charges are lies of the purest ray serene, but that the douJble-distilled and clarified fact is that first ditto has sold his honor and traded his influence on occasion, and that, moreover, in his young days, he did a most unspeakable l thing back in Kansas, or somewhere else. So it keeps on, charges and countercharges of a personal nature piling up higher and higher until, if everybody didn’t know much better, they would be trembling in expecta tion of bloodshed. After a while the geysers of billingsgate and vituperation have boiled them selves dry and subside. Nothing has been accom plished, not even a fight. And meantime the pub lic business stands still, the dignity of the pub lic’s servants is lost forever, as well as public confidence in the men having charge of affairs. There should be some method of taking such rag chewers by the scruff of the neck and casting them into some confined area where they could fight out their differences out of the hearing of the public, who really don’t care one little continental about the whole thing. What the public wants from its representatives is honest atention to duty, and a dignity in keeping with the situation. TWO DOLL AES A YEAE. FIVE CENTS A COPY.