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/ ainbridge Search Light. ]MBER IS. v BAINBRIDGE, DECATUR COUNTY, GEORGIA, FRIDAY. FEBRUUARY f, 1904. $1.00 YEAR IN ADVANCE OFFICIAL ORGAN OF DECATUR COUNTY AND CITY OF BAINBRIDOE. de- the iu- SOURCE OF SUPPLY. ,-ranee and Ger many, tfe formed an alliance ot for offensive or ose> but to declare 5 of their cotton raa ustries of the cotton Southern States. At armers furnish near- -6tton consumed in idia and Africa supply 11 portion. Foreign •s claim that they are of the speculators in h they undoubtedly present high price of to be galling them so much so that they ing long and loud to merits for relief in of the relief proposed rical but still may be id. The soil and cli~ ica is said to be well cotton culture but the cotton has never been to any extent is the able labor. The native not be domesticated :onditions existing there to work the cotton their ancestors were his country under the ilavery. Other laborers be imported into Africa lensive and, at the same ited to cotton raising, on of the labor problem ed that the Chinese ould fill the bill, tor he aborer and the cheapest iw it is claimed that En- ice and Germany have eir willingness to extend aid to the opening up cotton plantations in importing laborers from thus creating a new upply of raw cotton for ries. nothing alarming in mation for the cotton of the South. If sue- ich is extremely doubt' take years and years of to influence our prices, the mean time the do nd the consumption of ds is on the increase in er of the globe, and the nner will as of yore be to come to us for his pay the prices that the charge are fix ular Couple to Wed. out announcing the _ marriage of Miss es Curry to Mr. Joseph laum, both of this city; ig to occur at the' Bap at half pist ten o'clock -'enteenth of February. 7 ‘ s one of the most beautiful and attractive omen of Bainbridge. She *d daughter of Mrs. A. E. an d comes of one of the stocratic families of South , ” r - Waum is a member Jewelry Co., of this 1e located here about “onths ago and is at the a nourishing business. He e * lc » pleasant and popular, esses those business and la 'ties that will make him 1 !zen to Bainbridge and J ln life’s affairs. ,‘ dte, y after the ceremony P‘ will leave on an extend- „ rn ou /’ after which they orn l ° Kaan t> r idge, their THE POOR MAN PAYS. Notice. :tra ycd or s'.o'en. One cow, marked crop and oenn ea u Ch ear> bran ded On v nsht hiP- Left EK for i, f V ’ prob5b 'y bas calf, information leadir •very. . r leading to J-C, Greene, Eldorendo, Ga. The report of the special com mittee appointed by the last Grand Jury to investigate the books of the county offices, bring to light some very startling facts concern' ing the return of property for tax ation in Decatur County.' We in ter from Comptroller Wright’s re port that a similar condition exists in many counties of the state. If there is one thing more prom nent- !y brought out than another, it is that the poor men of Georgi, are bearing the burden of taxation in very uneven proportion. The poor man usually returns his property at a figure not far from its actual value while the large land owners and the moneyed interests are returned in many instances at a ridicilously low fig ure. Imagine land adjoining the city limits of Bainbridge being valued at $2.50 per acre! Imagine if you please, a return of $100,000 money in the county! The state ments of the local banks alone show deposits and capital stock of more than $300,000. As the committee reports, in the assessment of property values, a great many obstacles are to be encountered but it is evident that the system needs some change whereby a more equitable and just plan could be engaged in raising the revenues. It is possible that the coming legislature will undertake the diffi cult task of arriving at this process. If they do so they should receive the immeasurable thanks of the poor people of the state and the honest individuals of the more wealthy of the tax payers. The poor man is least of all, able to bear these burdens, and more earnest attention should be ad dressed by the law makers to his relief. Qedie Baggett Surrenders. Gedie Baggett, who killed Clint Williams in Cairo last October has surrendered to the sheriff of Thom as County. After the killing he made good his escape and has S’nee been at large. It was com monly reported at the time that he would give himself up before court and stand his trial on the plea of justification. Application was at once made to Judge Mitchel to admit the prisoner to bail until bis trial at the April term of the Superior court. After the hearing bail was granted in the sum of $6,000, which was promptly given and he is now out on bond. Fondren Mitchell and R. R. Terrell will as sist Solicitor General Thomas in the prosecution, while Hammond & Hammond and Rodaenberry & Luke will represent the defen dant. The trial is destined to be a hard fought one and will elicit much interest. Both Baggett and Williams be long to prominent families resi' ding in Decatur county and the tragedy is greatly deplored by • all parties. The Hunter Furniture Company. A restraining order from the United States court has been served on the Hunter Furniture Co., of this city and it is possible that the firm will be thrown into bankruptcy judging from present indications. The order however does not close up the business and the concern will tor the present continue the sale of the stock and the collections of accounts due the the firm The new firm were successors to the Hunter & Jtoggs Furniture Co.. M. B. Baggs disposing of his interests to Mr. T. W. Hunter of Quitman. We understand that negotiations are on whereby it is hoped that the company will be able to satisfy its creditors and continue in business. > THE SCHOOL BOOK COMMISSION. Soncerning the award of the text books introduced under the uniformity law passed by the last legislation so much has been writ ten by certain newspapers and in dividuals that it is possible that some unjust criticism may be hea' ped at the doors of the Book Com mission, whom we beleive had only the best interests of the state at heart in the selections made. In the first place who are rais ing all this disturbance? Certainly not the common, people who have been saved tens of thousands of dollars annually under the recent award. The whole plot (?) of the st tes highest officials to rob the people, seems to have originated somewhere rou.idabout the offices of Or at least within “hollerin’’ distance of the representatives of the Maynard Merrill people. So tar as we know, there hasn’t been an utturance from any other source. No, a saving ot 30 per cent in the cost of new school books is not calculated to cause dissent a- mong the patrons of the public schools of Georgia; nor will the in troduction of those recently made famous Lee Readers—not Robt. E, Lee however—meet with dis taste at the thousands of pupils who will welcome any change from the old time-worn stories of the readers they have been using— then the readers are all right. But some one raises a howl a- bout that “sliding Exchange’’ has' is? O! Where is that in the con tract. Takes whole columns on front page full display, top of col umn, next to reading; matter to tell the tale. The Bdbk Commit tee, those gentlemen who at the state’s instance without a dollars extra pay spent weeks and months and silent midnight hours in reach ing a choice; the Committee who are responsible to the common people of Georgia for their official conduct; step to the front of the stage and whisper, Peace! They answer that the "sliding ex change” feature goes in the con tract. The Commission doubtless would like to know if other ques tions are to be asked—It so they may take a day off and repeat the performance. We desire to defend the Book Commission for two reasons. The first is that we believe they are honest. The second reason is that the fellows who arc now raising the disturbance ate the same ones who fought the uniformity text book law to the bitter end The whole truth is that they are sore; ■either over the passage of the bill; or because they lost the contracts under the bids they rendered They are therefore found chief among the knockers in general, and particularly in trying to chs suade the people from uniformity. Executive Committee to Meet. All members of the Democratic Executive Committee of Decatur county are earnestly expected to attend an important meeting to be held next Saturday, February 12th, at the court house this city. A portion of the work of the com mittee will be to call an election in each militia district for the se lection of new committeemen for such district; and to set a time when such newly elected officers will meet and order the primary. Secretary Wimberley has al ready forwarded a letter to each member of the present committee urging bis attendance, and we hope that the meeting will be well at- attended. pate seems to have a grudge against Chicago. The latest ru- mured calamity in lint vicinity is that as a result of the fluctuating cotton marke*. the city will prob ably go bankrupt. TO CONSTRUCT PUNT SOON. Major B. F. Havens, Secretary of the Bainbridge Turpentine and Pine Product Co., was in the city the first of the week, after an absence of several months in the north where he completed the financial arrangements for the construction of the plant. The major has not been well, but thinks that he will improve with his stay- in; the south. He informs Us that as soon as the question of territory is settled with the distillation plant at Albany, Georgia, he will be ready to sign the final papers and begin the construction of the p'ant. It seems that the distilla tion plant at Albany has purchased this territory so far as the Bilfinger process is concerned, and they are interposing objections to the loca tion of the plant here unless they are satisfactorily compensated. We learn that negotiations are in progress with these people and that within the next few days the arrangements will all be completed. Major Havens left Wednesday morning for Waycross and Thom- asville. He and Mrs. Havens will return to Bainbridge next week and take up winter quarters at the Wainman. It is probable that if a satisfactory arrangement is not reached with the Albany people negotiations will be opened for the purchase of some one other of the distillation processes than the Bilfinger one. Several of these are in operation in South Georgia and they are giving highly satis factory results, We have been assured that the plant is a sure thing for Bainbridge and that operations will begin at an early date. Leap Year Ball. The moat flattering reports are heard on all sides in regard to the Leap Year Ball which was given on Tuesday evening at the Hotel Wainman by the Ladies Cotillion Club of Bainbridge. Although this was the first dance given yet, the affair was a complete success. Being a Leap Year Ball, the idea conveyed by the title was car ried out in each detail. The ladies made the dates, acted as escorts and made engagements for the various dances. The thought was unique and because ot the unusual features the evening was rendered very delightful. Dancing was the popular amusement indulged in, although cards had been pro vided for those who were inclined. The spacious dining parlors at the Wainman were thronged with graceful devotees of the Terpsich- orean art and the beautifully gowned women presented an en trancing scene. The Tallahassee orchestra as on former occasions charmed the dancers with their inspiring strains. Appropriate prizes were awarded the successful contestants st hearts. The daincy and delicious re freshments served during the evening were truly the fruit of feminine art and skill and alone would have betokened the fact so clearly shown in every feature, that only feminine brains an feminine grace could have devised and accomplished successfully so splendid an entertainment. Laagley For Receiver. F:isewhere Mr. T. L Langley an nounces for Tax Receiver of Decatur County, subject to the ac tion of the approaching Democrat ic primary which will probably be called for the middle of Mayor the early part of June. Mr. Langley has been a consistent and loyal Democrat all his life, is well known in the county, in fact sufficiently so as to need no further introduc tion from us. He will make an aggressive campaign from the first and a competent officer if chosen. DECATUR COUNTY REPUBLICANS MEET Last Saturday the distinguished members of the Republican party in Decatur county met in the court house. The meeting had been called by the Honorable Gil bert McLendon, colored, chairman of the county committee, for the purpose of re-electing the chair man, selecting delegates to the district convention which meets in Dawson on the 13th and other wise resoluting and harmonizing. But harmony was conspicuous by its absence. Black clouds were lowering over and about and with in the meeting. From the word go the maddening crowd was tu multuous, irrepressible and epi- thetical. Every man unbottled his 'ittle viol of wrath and let her fly. When the end finally came and the smoke and fumes (of par ty spirit) had lifted and sought an outlet through the ventilators in the ceiling very strange to relate no dead or wounded were found. It was strictly a war of words and a wordy war it was. Two factions developed in the meeting, one composed ot the old line republicans, the dyed-in the - wool kind, and the other which wanted to get into power and con trol patronage. Gilbert McLendon wanted to be chairman for another term. He has tried the job for several year* and liked it, and it is whispered, that he has made it a source ofr- great profit to himself. To defeat 1 : his election it was charged that in several instances he obtained mon* - ey for his endorsement of pest masters, particularly in the case;- of the appointment of a postmas--. ter at Bainbridge, where it is- said-. be got $300 for his influence in behalf of the successful candidate. While none of the charges were-. ■ directly substantiated they served' their purpose to defeat the enter prising Gilbert. J. A. Grant, st. negro, secured the chairmanship. Over the chairmanship place the hottest war was waged. Among the epithets used while the debate was in progress it is said that the.; word liar was frequently used with variations and choice trim- ■ mings. The record of the Hon orable Starling Smith, black, also• came up for an airing He was. charged with mating false af£-« davits. It was said that bv had no rights in the party “no ^ hat having served his country in the penitentiary from Thomas county he was a disqualified voter. It was moved and carried that. he be white-washed and transferred to the lilly white wing of the party. The following delegates were named for the district convention at Dawson: Geo. Liverman, white, and Sol Haynes, F rank . Sutton and Gilbert McLendon, all colored. After endorsing Roosevelt for president and felicitating them selves on the grandeur of the par ty in Decatur county and the har mony exhibited during their delib ations the meeting adjourned. Burned to Death. One of the most shocking acci- dents that has occurred m the county in some time was the fatal burning of a two-years old daugh ter of Mr. and Mrs. Joe L. John son who lives in the neighborhood of Donalsonville, this county, a few days a 'o. I he burning occurred at 10 o' clock in the morning of the day the little one died at 11 o’clock P. M. The accident was a great shock t0 },^Poopl* of the community and Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have the deepest sympathies of their fnenda. The Search Light is for up-building of the people county and here to stay.