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PAGE TWELVE “A LITTLE 2x4 EDITOR.” The Live Oak Democrat has the fol lowing on Governor Broward becom ing an editor after he steps from the gubernatorial shoes: ‘‘The rumor that Governor Bro ward may go into Florida journalism when he retires from office affects us most pleasantly. During his term as governor he has had much to say in criticism of the press of this State, and at times has seemed to think it a sin, per se, for any newspaper to question the wisdom of his policies. Now we would like him to get the benefit of a different point of view and as editor of a newspaper, see how far removed from infallibility is even the chief executive of the State. We would warmly welcome Editor Bro ward to our noble fraternity, and would chuckle with joy to see him launching his shafts of editorial criti cisms at some other Napoleon dressed in a little brief authority who would promptly report upon him with blighting scorn by referring to him as “a little 2x4 editor.” You remem ber the phrase, Governor? You didn’t originate it, for it has been in use for generations by politicians squirming under press criticism; but if our memory serves us correctly, you have hurled that ancient chest nut at Florida newspapers on more than one occasion, and we want to see some Jove on High Olympus up at Tallahassee hurl it at you a few times and carefully observe its ef fects mon a new band at the bel lows. I- has been so long since we hoard it Hie first time in our own cose that we have forgotten the sen sation. “Little 2x4 Editors’” It seems severe, hut as a matter of f"H it is perfectly harmless —a venerable petrefaction which veteran editors re gard as something in the nature of a curio in newspaper museums ?• point it out to visitors as a speci men of the now obsolete weapons used in the ancient warfare of primi tive journalism.” And maybe, too, he will consider seriously some of his charges about the Florida editors “selling their editorial space by the inch, with s n timent thrown in,’ etc. Won’t e-ir ex-governor editor have a live-wire rime of it, though, evening up whh some of us “corporation or influ enced, owned 2x4’s,” who have dared to criticise some of his official act'-? But who still admire whatever of good there is in him. just as much as does the St. Augustine Meteor, The Brooksville Argus, The Arcadia Champion, and some others that are always telling the people what “a good man our governor is.” THE HAND UNDER THE VELVET GLOVE. A story is related of two teams ters meeting with their teams in a read in which it •was very undesir able to turn out on the other side. Both claimed to have the right of way and each refused to turn out for the other to pass. After a long time spent in fruitless arguments one said to the other: “Now, if you don’t move out of the way p. d. q. I'll do to you as I once did to another fel low.” This seemed such a serious threat that the man drove aside and let his opponent pass. This done, curiosity led him to ask what terrib ly punitive method had baen adopt- ed toward the refractory wagoner, and feU like kicking himself for hav ing been so easily intimidated when he was laughingly told: “The fellow was stubborn and just wouldn’t get out of the way, so at last I drove out of the way myself.” The state railroad commission has issued orders to several railroads in the state to do immediately some repair work which was most impera tively needed. And just incidental ly Chairman S. G. McLendon of the commission let out the remark that Mr. J. S. B. Thompson, assistant to the president of the Southern Rail way, knew what the commission would do to those railroads who should refuse to obey this order, as h (McLendon) had told him (Thomp son.) Efforts made to get Mr. Thomp son to tell what terribly punitive method the railroad commission held in reserve having failed, nearly all the principal railroads in the State hastened to assure Chairman McLen don that they were willing and de sirous of aiding the commission in doing all that was possible and prop er to protect the lives of their pas sengers and employees. There was only one road which declined, and received its defiance after the warn ing threat casually made by the chairman and guarded as a secret by Mr. Thompson. The Georgia Rail road, -whose officials probably re membered having heard the story of the two teamsters, through Major J B. Cumming, politely but most posi tively refused to comply with the or deg and defied the commission to crack its whip and do its worst. Possibly the sequel of this affair s will be the same as in the wagoner story. Possibly what McLendon told Thompson was that the railroad com mission was playing a big bluff, and if the railroads should refuse to obey its orders the commission -would take off its hat and say: “Well. gentle men, if you won’t do what we de necessary and have required, -we will step aside and let you do just as ynn please.” And then won’t the rail roads which took their warning seri ously want to get somebody to kick them, -while The Georgia, smilin'" over its astuteness in having called the bluff, will go blithely on with its rotten ties and misson bolts counting a terrible catastrophe in its rails. But possibly also the railroad com mission wasn’t bluffing. Possibly its members had not heard the story of the wagoners, or did not try to work this bluff racket. Just a suspicion that this may be the case is convey ed by Chairman McLendon’s reply to Major Cumming that this order of the commission was in effect a rule nisi, and that “It is needless for me to say to you in perfect frankness, that the Georgia Railroad is not to be considered by this commission as an outlaw until it establishes its claim to that distinction by disobed ience to the reasonable regulations and orders of this commission.” Soft words are these, as soft as the touch of a velvet glove. And sometimes a velvet glove is drawn over a mailed hand. Indeed, it is generally the case that where in the case of a controversy one side is exceedingly gentle in the beginning, this course is induced by a conscious ness of its •trength and it* ability t« WATSON’S WEEKLY JEFFERSONIAN. inforee its claims, and the prelimi nary extra gentle touch is but the processor of the iron grip that is to follow. The Georgia Railroad may learn this to its sorrow, if it persists in its present course of defiance of the state railroad commission.—Augusta Herald. HE MURMURED. A few days before parliament rose for the Easter holidays, it is said that an influential constituent of a cer tain honorable member came up to town. “I say,” the constituent remarked confidentially, “I never see your name in the Times. Don’t you ever make a speech?” “Certainly,” replied the member, who is a humorist in his way, “Lock here. Here is a full report of speech of the prime minister, and the end you will notice, in bruc ‘Murmurs.’ Well, I was the man who murmured.” THE EDITOR’S TROUBLES. The editor who expects to be able to please everybody had just as well quit, for he is sure to be disappoint ed sooner or later. The religious de partment which we thought would be appreciated by everybody, but we find it has its enemies. We would appreciate it if some knowing citizen would kindly take our place and let us have a week’s rest while we vent our spleen on the quail and mule eared rabbits.—Santa Anna News. COURAGE OF A GEORGIAN IN CAMP DOUGLAS. By J. N. Hunter, Demorest, Ga. I was a member of Company K, 2d Tennessee Cavalry, under Forrest, and was a prisoner of war in Camp Doug las from December 22. 1862, to June 19, 1565. On the morning of the 15th of April, 1865, after the assassination of President Lincoln, flags were order ed to half-ma. t. The lanyard of the garrison flag was caught and hung a few feet from the top, and could not be moved either wav. Colonel Sweet, the post commander, ordered a man detailed to climb the pole, one hun dred and eighty feet high, to fix the rope. The detailed soldier climbed the pole, but just as he reached the top and before he could fix the pulley he lost his hold and fell a fearful fall to the ground. The entire garrison of three thou sand men and thousands of prisoners witnessed the appalling sight. The man lived about two hours. On the morning of the 16th the Colonel called for a volunteer to climb the pole, but out of the entire force of three thou sand men not one Avould volunteer for the hazardous climb. Then a re ward of five hundred dollars was of fered: but, strange to say, no one ac cepted the offer. “Try the Johnnies,” said Colonel Sweet. “Ont of the twelve thousand prisoners we will find a man who will climb that pole. The prisoner who climbs it and adjusts the lanyard and flag shall have five hundred dollars and transportation home at once.” Barracks No. 1, near the gate, was called out, one hundred and fifty in number. The proposition was ex plained and a volunteer •ailed f*r. Instantly a lean, lank, ragged Geor gia boy, an artilleryman, about nine teen yeas old, stepped to the front and went at once to the flag pole. It was now the evening of the 16th. In the prison and garrison and even in the city, excitement -was intense. Thousands watched that Georgia bey climb the pole. The entire garrison off duty was gathered around the flfg pole, sailors swarmed in the rigging of their ships on the lake, and peo ple on the house tops all watching one of the most daring and thrilling acts of the war. The boy from Georgia reached the top of the pole, swayed in a gale of w-ind, and in a few sec onds fixed the rope; then, waving his old Confederate hat three times about his head, threw it at the crowd be low’. A mighty cheer went up as he started on his descent. The prisoners caugh it up. and for the first and only time the Rebel yell was heard in a Northern prison. As he came down in reach the Fed eral soldiers pulled him off the pole a.nd on their shoulders, carried him to the provost officer near by, where he signed the oath,or parole, and there were handed to him five one-huadred dollar bills and his transportation pa pers home. He started homo on that evening. He had no idea of clipp ing that flag pole thirty minutes be fore he started up it. I would ]'’■« to know who be was, and if he is still living.—Confederate Veteran. 'Watson’s Jeffersonian Magazine Edited by TH OS. E. WATSON Published Monthly. Price $1.50 Per Year. This is a high-class monthly, beau tifully illustrated and printed, car rying Mr. Watson’s "The Life and Times of Andrew Jackson.” It is filled with the most excellent literary and historical contributions. The press of the nation pronounces it "one of the best” of the monthlies. You should read it. Address JEFERSONIAN, Thomsen, «a. ~FOR SALE Fine registered Bull, three years old. Also some heifer yearlings and salves. J. G. B. ERWIN, SR., Fairmount, Ga. REAL ESTATE Frank C. Davie 3M Empire Building, Atlanta, Ga. We eel! farms all over Georgia. If you are in the market, it will be to your interest to boo tjs. Our long ex perience in the business, puts us in touch with a great many people in search of homes. If you have a place for sale, we can find a buyer, if the price is reasonable. 6 mile# from good railroad town, fine neighborhood, 170 acres good land, good improvements, M acres bottoms, don’t overflow. Now rented for |4M; S2O per acre. 1-2 mile from Decatur, Ga., on one of the best streets, l-room house and 10 acres of fine land, front beautifully shaded with large oaks, good out build ings, fruit, garden and pantuns; |fi,ooo will buy this end it is a great bargain. If you want it see us at once. "We-sell farms.” Let us know your wants.