Newspaper Page Text
C>be Jeffersonian
Vol. 8, Number 2
A Few Questions For Qapt. Tip Harrison
x
WASN’T hunting for trouble with
you, Tip. Was surprised when you
sounded your virtuous snort, flung
young indignant flout, and butted into
a matter that didn't concern you.
Why couldn't you leave Dr. Fox
and A. W. Force to make their own defense?
Why did you follow the example set by
Slippery Seely?
In the Augusta Chronicle and Macon Tele
graph, you were so indiscreet as to admit that
you, the salaried Secretary of the Board of
Trustees, did not know how the supplies for
the Home are purchased. Your idea of keep
iny the minutes must almost be as unique as
your method of keeping yourself in two
offices, one of which you have held ever since
we served together in the Legislature in 1882.
No matter who else goes out, you stay in.
How do you contrive it, Tip?
I remember that our mutual friend, Watts,
of Stewart, told me that you were a slick
one, and not over-scrupulous. Your agility in
adjusting your sails to every change of wind,
proves you an artist in petty politics.
Did you. last year, get your salary increased
from SI,BOO a year, to a very much larger
sum ?
Do you get $l5O a year for attending four
meetings of the Trustees?
Does the Board examine the vouchers of
Dr. Fox? Does it ever test the honesty of
those accounts? Is any inquiry ever made
into the actual prices paid by Dr. Fox, and
the actual amount of the provisions delivered
at the Home?
You say that you didn't know that Dr. Fox
acted as purchasing agent— are the other offi
cials of the Board equally ignorant ?
Isn’t it a fact that Dr. Fox is the whole
cheese; and that the Trustees let him do as
he pleases, without ever making the slightest
examination ?
Were all of you unaware of the fact that a
two-horse wagon makes regular trips to At
lanta, every week; and that Dr. Fox buys the
provisions, in small quantities and at retail
prices?
Is that your idea of business and economy,
Tip? Does Dr. Fox pay taxes on any prop
erty? Is he the bondsman of Force? Why
was he accepted as bondsman, if he pays no
taxes ?
After old man Few had been beaten and
bloodied by Force, was it right to throw him
into the streets, like a homeless dog?
WHAT WOULD HAVE COME OF
THAT POOR OLD CREATURE, IF
SOME KIND-HEARTED PEOPLE HAD
NOT GOT HIM INTO THE GRADY
HOSPITAL?
Didn’t Force remain in the Home, after
Few had been put out?
Isn't the Home now in charge of a brute
who heat an old Vet to death, some years ago?
WASN'T HE INDICTED FOR MURDER
RY THE GRAND JURY OF FULTON
COUNTY, and didn't Dr. Box get the mat
ter side-tracked?
Did you put your fine Italian hand into
that business, also, Tip?
Don't you know that 11. AV. Bell is too old
Thomson, Ga., Thursday, January 12, 1911
to be President of the Board; and that he is
completely dominated by Dr. Fox?
Don’t you remember that, in testifying be
fore the Legislative committee of 1906, the
1 ice-President of the Board swore that he
would not INSULT Dr. Fox by examining
his accounts?
As a matter of fact. Tip. are Dr. Fox’s ac
counts ever examined? If so, by whom and
in what way?
Inasmuch as you had no knowledge of the
hand-to-mouth, unbusiness-like and costly
method of buying supplies for the Home,
maybe there are other things that Dr. Fox
does, without letting you know of them.
Tip, I’m ashamed of you !
In such a fight as this, I would have almost
been willing to swear that you would take
sides with the old soldiers.
In 1906, you heard the evidence against the
management. Did you use your influence to
Simple Talks on the Tariff
OU will see in the newspapers, from
time to time, a great deal on the sub
ject of our merchant marine. By
merchant marine is meant ocean
going vessels which are engaged in
commerce which has to depend upon
Y
deep water for the carriage of merchandise
from one sea-port to another. While it is
true that the United States can boast of a
larger number of ships and steam-boats that
are engaged in this line of business, than any
other nation, it is a fact that the greater num
ber of them are engaged on the Great Lakes
or in the trade between one American sea-port
and another.
Consequently, the American flag is not
seen upon the ocean as often as that of
France, Germany or Great Britain. This
fact causes the subsidized press to agonize
constantly and noisily. The editors who con
tend that the comparative absence of our flag
from the high seas is a national calamity,
never explain how it came to pass that, while
we had the Walker Tariff in operation—a low
Tariff imposed for revenue rather than pro
tection—American ships, flying the American
ag, did nearly all of our maritime business;
whereas the extremely high and protective
tariffs inflicted upon the country by the
Republican party have caused the American
vessel, flying the American flag, to become
almost a rarity upon the high seas.
Now, I am going to tell you something
which you will find difficult to believe, but
which is, nevertheless a startling fact. Any
sort of vessel which an American citizen pur
chases for his pleasure, is allowed to come
into this country, free of charge; but any
kind of water craft which he buys for the
purpose of doing business, is taxed at the
Custom-house at a rate which is practically
prohibitory.
In other words, if one of our millionaires
goes or sends abroad and buys a magnificent
yacht, naptha launch, house-boat or pleasure
boat of any kind, he is privileged to bring it
prevent Legislative action on the Committee's
report ?
And when Force has tried to murder one of
the Vets who was in HIS POWER AND
UNDER HIS PROTECTION, you Ring
rulers appoint Miller to succeed Force—A
WOULD-BE MURDERER OF AA 7 OLD
SOLDIER REPLACED BY AA 7 ACTZ7AZ
MURDERER OF ONE!
Miller beat his victim at this same Home—
beat him so savagely that the man died from
his injuries.
Force would have killed Few, if others had
not come to Few's rescue.
Nice HOME, for old Confederate Veterans,
isn’t it, Tip?
You'd like to live there, as one of the mis
treated soldiers, wouldn’t you, Tip?
How many friends have you made by rais
ing your powerful hand against your old com
panions-in-arms, Tip ?
in free of duty. If, however, he purchases a
ship, steamboat, schooner or any other kind
of vessel meant to transport passengers or
merchandise, he has to pav a heavy tax to get
that species of water-craft into one of our
ports.
Now, if you will reflect upon this discrim
ination in favor of the rich pleasure seeker,
against the patriotic business man, you will
see how it hurts. The pleasure-boat cannot
possibly add anything to the useful wealth
and industry of the country; it adds nothing
to the output of mine or field or forest or
factory; it opens up .no avenues of employ
ment which in their turn contribute to the
comfort and happiness of our fellow-citizens:
yet, this purely selfish enjoyment of riches
is selected by our government for especial
favoritism and encouragement.
On the contrary, if vessels which carry pas
sengers and cargoes of merchandise were
given the same generous treatment, think how
nationally beneficial would be the conse
quences.' Not only would thousands of
American ships and boats be empoying
American crews and earning the freight now
paid the foreign vessels, but our foreign com
merce would be enormously expanded. There
would be an increased sale of American pro
ducts of every kind. This, in turn, would
stimulate their production; and this, as a
natural consequence, would augment the de
mand for labor and raw materials. At a
glance, you can see an almost boundless en
largement of American trade, American
revenues, American production and American
prosperity.
Why is it that our government will not
extend to the American sea-merchant the
same favor which is granted to the pleasure
seeking millionaire? Why is it that the
American merchant is not allowed to buy
HIS vessel wherever lie can get it cheapest
and bring it into our ports on the same terms
the pleasure yacht enjoys? Why is it that
(concluded on page nine.)
Price, Five Cents