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Home People of Mr. Mercer
Commend Him To Veters
Of The Third District.
To the Voters of the Third
'%ongressional District: As citi
zens of Terrell county, feeling
an interest in and successful out
come of the efforts of our fellow
citizen, the Hon, John R. Mercer
to become a member of Congress
from this district, and believing
#that certain statements being
made by one of his opponents
are sinister in character as well
as misleading, we have deter
mined to give to the voters of
%he district the estimate placed
pon him by his people at home.
. We notice ina recent issue of
Mr. Shaw’s Southwest Georgian
that he has an article headed,
““Who Is The Man?”’ He under
takes in this article to minimize
each of his opponents and to
produce the impression that he
has indeed done great things for
the dear ‘‘common people,”’ He
¥clls you that Mr. Mercer has
areached the half century mark.
So ke has, and so have most men
who have done things for their
fellows, nor do those of us who
have observed the ordinary rules
of good conduct in life feel that
we have reached beyond middle
Jlife at this time. He tells you
%hat he is said to be a millionaire.
We wonder who teld him, and,
if it were true, would it have
made him of less value to his
neighbors or less fitted to do
things in Congress? . Mr. Shaw
has lived a generation, he tells
us. Will some one tell us what
he has accomplished to indicate
any sort of business ability? He
should have done something in
this time, especially as he is ask
ing you to place him where
there should be the acme of
business acumen. He tells you
that Mr. Mercer ‘‘would be
_ ready to enter into the celestial
gregions beiore he could do things
! for his district.”” This is funny,
He says, in substance, that Mr.
Mercer has done things in life
which have meant personal suc
cess. He says, however, that he
has not accomplished anything
Jepolitically, but that he himself
has done ‘‘yeoman service in the
jlegislature of Georgia.”’” Wonder
where or when he made those
“‘footprints’’ on the ‘‘statutes of
Georgia” to which he so boldly
refers. Mr. Mercer has been
himself a member of the Georgia
~legislature and did honest, effec
tual work for his county while
there, but is willing for others to
gay as to this. He was for four
years the honored mayor of his
town and than he we never had
i a #etter, no one quite so enter
prising, no one who accomplished
i during that period of time quite
. 0 much for his town. It is true
4k has always been a large tax
payer, but none can say he has
| ever fought an enterprise of his
town that he might be less bur
dened by “taxes; on the other‘
* hand, no man has done more to
bring to his town modern im
provements, such as mean much
‘q tax payers, than he.
" Mr. Shaw would have you be
]iehve that the kind of farmer
Gasoline Engi
SEE g
. BSOS, Bhilkd
302 South Grant St, Fitzgerald, Ga.
Agent for the best Gaseline Engines. "Expert on Gas Engines—
" will give prompt attention to all calls in my line.
_____;________——————-——m_—_—_——-———————————__—————
GOFFINS and GASKETS. T
All prices from the cheapest \\; a»:.- : "MN_
Pto the best. All calls will re- “‘2):‘”; : h-é‘;o;*
. #eive our immediate attention. gl h%?é \f/,}fl@“/
i’ Sandlin Furniture & Undartaking Company,
Day Phone 116. Night Phone 375-
Mercer is is that he ‘‘plougls
in the spring and cullects interest
in the fall.”” We are delighted
to tell you that he has been in
position to aid greatly his fellow
farmers by furnishing them
with-the means not onlv to culti
vate their crops, but has aided
many in his county in finally be
coming an owner of his home.
Nor has he ever been the man to
unmercifully crowd a farmer
‘who could not meet his obliga
tion to him when due, but has
always been entirely willing to
indulge him from year to year
for a reasonable, living interest.
We are glad to say earnestly that
we have great need of many
more of Mr. Merder’s kind in cur
town and county. Hehas meant
more to Terrell county than any
other dcZen men in it, and we
lare sure that if elected to the
position of Congressman no man
in the Third cdistrict will regret
nis choice. He is always eoter
prising, always constructive,
progressive and hesitates not at
any amount of effort or expense
to accomplish ends which mean
not only advancement of his own
interest, but that of his neigh
bors as well. He is eminently a
farmer—a model one. We take
pride in calling attention to the
fact that it was farmer Mercer
who originated the corn contests
in Georgia, a progressive step in
farming which has revolutionized
the corn production’of our state.
He was brought up in as hum
ble fashion as any average coun
try boy. and has accomplished
things in life by his own efforts.
He has had some misfortunes,
which, by the way, would not
have come to him had others
whom he had aided been more
dutiful in their obligations to
him. No man fails to have ‘‘uops
and downs.”” We dare say his
opponents have had theirs. Mr.
Shaw would have you believe
that he came “from the depths.”’
We happen to know that he has
ever had around him the average
comforts of life and has no right
to claim more in this regard than
has our fellow citizen whose
cause we plead: We ask you
whether or not you would have
;as our representative a man who
has made good, not only ina
}political way but who has in the
far more important sense, viz:
’that of personal success and ac
complishments at home for his
fellow countrymen.
We sincerely commend to you
our fellow townsman, then, as
most worthy of your franchise,
and bespeak for him great suc
icess should you see fit to elevate
‘him to the position to which he
aspires. J. G. Parks, J. C.
Hollingsworth, A. J. Hill, 8. D.
Hatcher, M. C. Caraway, Jno.
R. Irwin, R. R. Martin, C. A.
Harris, J. A. Horsley, J. G.
Dean, W. A. Davidson, J. S.
Sowrey, W. E. Hickey, A. A.
Lewis, T. D. Sale, A. J. Baldwin,
W. R. Baldwin, K. S. Worthy,
W. H. Gurr, R. M. Stewart, R.
D. Smith, S. W. Glass, W. A.
Baldwin. tf.
"HF LEADER-ENTERPRISE. FRIDAY AUGUST 16 19:2.
ANNOUNCEMENT
We, the undersigned, voters of
Ben Hill County recogrizing the
worthiness and ability of D. L.
Martin to serve as representative
in the General Assembly of Geor
gia, hereby announce him as a
candidate for nomiuation at the
Democratic - White Pr.mury to be
held in August. ;
His past-record has proven bim
to be straight forward. honest,
temperate, ardent and indefatig
able 1n any public enterprise and
fully capable of anvy demand that
might arise from this trust and
we announce Mr. Martin with the
assurance that he will be honored
by a very large majority from
those whom he will serve:
L. S. Yarbrough
D. A. Bragg
Mr. Martin Accepts.
FirzceravLp, Ga., July 9, 1912
Mg. I. GeLpErs, Editor Leader-Enterprise:
I see in your issue of July sth that a number of my fellow-citizens
have announced me as a candidate for the legisiature, subject to the
August primary.
After mature deliberation I have decidéd to give this announcement
my sanction, and I do so with a full realization that if lam elected a
grave and sacred responsibliity will devolve upon me, but I know that I
am not inspired to do this by any unworthy motive, forl am not now, nor
have I ever been, possessed with an ambition to hold any responsible po
sition because of a fear that I could not measure up to the full require
ment of its necessities.
But I believe I do possess in my soul at least one essential qualifica
tion of efficiency, to-wit: A determination to do what I conceive to be
my honest duty without the fear of punishment or the hope of reward,
save that which comes to the finally faithful.
It is a great pleasure as well as a duty to work shoulder to shoulder
with my fellow-citizens to the end that the greatest possible good to the
greatest possible number may be attained. This is the great and true
doctrine of our constitutional liberty.
Ido and can only regard this more as a call from my people,
and to pass it unheeded would be disloyal.
The names signed to the announcement are but a few of those
who have approached me on the subject and they have been from
every class and calling, farmers, merchants, lawyers, doctors and
laborers and by those on both sides of the prohibition issue.
I most humbly and profoundly appreciate this expression of confi
dence, for how could 1 regard it but that my fellow-citizens as a whole
believe that I would do my best to give each and every class a square
deal by elminating so far as possible that which is wrong and establish
ing that which is right that all may enjoy every reasonable blessing to
which they are entitled by nature and nature’s God. '
In giving my consent to this action I do so with fear and trembling,
not that I may not be elected, for I would regard such an event as the
will of my people, and I will say amen and proceed on in the even tenor
of my way, butin case of election the sacred care and keeping
of life, liberty and pursuit of happiness will be committed to my hands,
not only of the citizens of my county, but of this gdreat state.
I regard the responsibility of those who make law far greater than‘
those who execute it. When the 'druggist fills the prescription of the‘
doctor, he neither gets credit nor blame for the effect of its adminis
tration. '
I have made no pledges, nor have I been asked to make any, nor will
I make any, to any person, clique or clan, other than that which I shall
conscientiously believe to be in the interest of the whole people.
1 will not, nor will I allow my friends, to spend one cent, except that
which is legitimately required in the interest of my election. It I ever
take the oath of office it will be uncontaminated with falsehood, for he
who is false in his effort to secure an office will be false in its adminis
tration.
If I am elected I shall do my best to know the truth and be
guided by its beneficient light.
I shall accept the office as a sacred trust and to be false there
to.] regard as the blackest treason. ‘
My duties in a business way just at this time are many and it
will be practically impossible for me to see the people personally in
the interest of my candidacy in fact lam timid along this line. If
you dont know me ask some one who does and vote your own con
scientious convictions and your will thus expressed will be mine,
Sineerely yours. D. L. MARTIN.
~ For Congressman
“To the Voters of the Third
congressional District: I have the
ambition to represent the Third
district in congress. As to my fit
ness and worthiness, I propose to
submit that to the voters of the
district, along with the other gen
tlemen who may aspire to the hon
or in a democratic primarv,
«“] am a farmer, was born and
reared on a farm in this district,
and have contributed all that I
'possibly could to the advancement
of the farming interests of my
section of the country,
““ As a member of congress I
would be controlled largely by
the same desires and purposes that
have actuated me as a private citi
zen in-advancing the farming in
terest of the state arcd country,
which ultimately is the interest of
every person, whether merchant,
lawyer, doctor, banker, mechanic
or citizens following other callings.
T shall be glad to meet the vo
ters face to face in every county
of the district before the day of
election. Sincerely, =
John K. Mercer |
J. J. White
T. F. Ransom
John Bucher
W. L. Bubb
U. D. Cunningham
L. H. Yarbrough
Dr, C. D, Seely
D. B. Hanes
H. C. Daniel >
Dr. J. L. Pittman
C. L. Minter.
J. A. Portertield,.
H. B. Deyo
H. G. Powell
C. H. Owen
Dr. J. H. Moss
Dr. T. J. Haile
R. C. Butler
Early Gibos
A. J. Swords
(eo, Drexler,
For Congressman
To the Democratic Voters of the
3rd Congressional District:
I hereby formally announce my
candidacv for the office of con
gressman from said district to the
Democratic primary to be held
pnext summer. Owing to my fa
miliarity with conditions in Wash
ington (being the official clerk to
the speaker of the House) I believe
if tae people will honor me with
the great office, that I will certain
ly striv> to faithfully and intelli
gently represent all the people of
the district, Their interest and
welfare shall regulate, control and
influence my every note and act
and at all times I will be true to
the masses of our people. Before
the primary I will announce a for
mal platform of princirles, address
the voters on the public questions
of the day, presenting my views
fullv to them and endeavor to see
as many of ther in.person as pos
sible. If you can givé me your
support and influence I shall al
ways be most profoundly grateful.
Very respectfully, \
- ° . Charles R, Crisp. |
TR eAI S AADNVERTISERENT ). ¢LS e O TR
Why Mercer Should Be Elect:d To
Congress from the Third District
E. L. Rainey in Dawson News,
The candidacy of John R. Mercer for Congress from the Thired
district of Georgia seems to be bothering sorae of tie editors. One
of the brethern has recently come forward with a large-sized
piece of writing in which, by a lack-logic process of elimination, he
proceeds to show that there is only one ‘‘logical” candidate in the race,
and that is—well, not Mr, Mercer.
He says that Mr, Mercer’s ‘“‘principal argument why he should
be elected is the fact that he is a farmer, and a good one.” Then he
proceeds to hand out quite a tidy little bunch of advice to Mr. Mercer
and the folks in general. He says:
*‘His calling (farming) 1s an honorable one, and perbaps the most
important in the wnole wide world. Mr, Mercer seems to think thay
there are too many la vyers in Congress already. Perhapsso. There
are also too many lawvcrs running farms—folks call ’em ‘near farm
ers.” We venture to say that more goodfarmers have been spoiled by
‘}being drawn into more attractive pursuits than men of all other eall
iingsA That 1s one great trouble with the agricultural conditions
throughout the nation today; good farmers are too few. Mr. Mercer
should continue in his chosen vocation, in which be has met with so
much success, and by practical example lead his neighbors to a higher
standard of farm manipulation.”
You are right Mr. Editor, Good farmers are too few., That’s
what Mr, Mercer thir ks. And you need not worry about Mr. Mercer
not sticking to farming. One of bis cherised aims and most definite
plans is to continue to demonstrate to his community that farming
rightly carried on is not only a beneficence to the farmer himself, bot
a source of economic salvation to the country in general . Mr. Mex
cer does not propose to throw away a lifetime of hird-won experience
in which he has proved that the safe and sane sort of farming is &
ipaying proposition from every point of view.
If he goes to Congrees, as he hopes to do, he will go with the fixed
idea of devoting his time and energies to just the very thing that our
friend suggests—namely, the advancement of the interests of farming
lpeople generally, and those of the Third district in particular,
I‘ Mr. Mercer has been a constructive worker, and he has liberally
! passed on-his ideas to his neighbors. He bas labored both by precept:
land example to better the quality of the agricultural achievements of
his community. There’s no reason on earth why he should stop beimgr
'a, farmer. He doesn’t want to quit, He loves the soil and the pleas
lant fruits of his labor, He is not the kind of a man who, to Fteralize
a familiar wetaphor, haviog put bhis hand to the plow wants o look
l back,
Look back? Not at all. Mr. Mercer’s idea is to look forward,
l That’s exactly why he is running for Congress. He looks for
ward to the time when the interests shall not be able to put their
havds into the people’s treasury and grab greedily what they want.
He looks to the time when the government shall, by the right kind of
encouragement, training and stimulus, see to it that the great agricuf
tural classes shatl have their due and the opportunity. ‘
You are right, brother, when you say that we need good farmers,
We need them more than we need any other class of developers. But
we are never going to get them unless the government, lays a firm and
steady hand on Lhe abuses that have fleeced the farming classes of
their rights, We shall never have the general turning to agriculture
'as a life-work that the resources of our country demaund until the law
‘making bodies see to it that there is the proper protection, legislation
‘and encouragemert for the farmer.
1 Farmer Mercer does not claim superior merit over his opponenis.
‘He is a modest man, and is perfectly willing to have his record speak
for him. Neither does he decry his opponerts. But he does elaim
‘that he knows thoroughly the needs and the interests of the people of
‘the Third district. He is familiar with the conditions existing in this
splendid block of agricultural and business territory. If heis elected
‘he will do all in his power to promote and further these interests.
‘ Mr. Mercer does not believe that the agricultural classes of this
country have had fair and equitable recognition in the apportionmens
of congressional honors, The records show that there 1s only one far
‘mer from Georgia in Congress—Hon. Dudley M, Hughes—and he bas
‘made good. It is not that Mr. Mercer thinks there are too many law
vers in Congress, but too few farmers. He does not ask for the votes:
of the people just because he is a farmer. He does not expect to Le
elected just on that ground. Far from it. He asks the privilege andl
seeks the honor of representing the Third district for the good that he
can do in securing for his constituency tae legislation and recognitior
that are its due.
There are those who cannot think of the farmer as a type of the
wide-awake, thinking American. They still look for hayseed in his
hair, and expect him to blow out the gas. They are behind the times,
these would-be critics, They haven’t kept up with the facts. They
don’t seem to know that while he has been plowing he has been think
ing. While he has been tilling the broad acres he has been sobsoil
ing his mind, and making ready for the reception of dynamic ideas.
This is the type of farmer Mr, Mercer represents, He is a man
of unimpeachable integrity, and his devotion to the cause committed
to his keeping would be of a kina to stand the heaviest tests.
Mr. Mercer will be an honor to the Third district and a vote for
him means a vote for the right man.
E. WALL C. A. FRETWELL
Wall-Fretwell Realty Company
Rooms 31 and 32, Empire Annex
Fitzgerald, Ga.
We make a speciaity of selling, renting, trading and buy
ing all kinds of vacant and improved property, Farm Lands,
Cross Ties, Stave and Saw Mill Timber. We return your
property for taxes and attend to paying of same. We collect
your rents and make prompt remittonces.
' If you wish to buy, get our list before investing. If you
wish to sell, list your property with us.
We solicit correspondence.