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Jackson Progress - Argus
PUBLISHED EVERY FRIDAY
J. DOYLE JONES
Editor and Publisher
Entered as second-class matter at
the Post Office at Jackson, Ga.
TELEPHONE NO. 16G
OFFICIAL ORGAN BUTTS COUN
TY AND CITY OF JACKSON
SUBSCRIPTION RATES
IN ADVANCE
One year $1.60
Six Months * 7 &
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This is leap year. Strut your
stuff, ga's.
The year 1935 was a good year
for Butts county. Let’s make 1936
.n even better year.
If cold weather kills insects, as
many seem to believe there should be
a scarcity of insects this year.
Good old Bill Biffem of The Sa
vannah Press got out the most
unique Christmas card of thqjjpaaon
, —Crt/off on the right foot by re
holving to support home institution 1
ind work for new industries this
year.
For the first time in a number of
year , streams in this seetion were
frozen ovei* during the recent cold
wave.
plenty of political fireworks will
hi in evidence this year. The politi
cal game will start early and con
tinue late.
The value of Georgia crops last
y< or set anew record for recent
yiars. This should be an even
Letter year.
Hang up your stocking for more
paved roads in Butts county during
1936. This is eomething to look
l< rward to.
In the race for cotton supremacy
Burke county has nosed out Carroll,
a state leader for years, with Laurens
m second place.
Get your new year resolutions over
v.th and then dig in and work for
community improvement. A good
slogan for nil of us.
This will be the kind of year wc
n-ake it. Don’t look for miracle 4 .,
but hitch in and help to keep things
moving in the right direction.
It was an old fashioned Christmas
from the standpoint of the weather.
The Christmas season was one of the
coldest in a number of years.
Most of the weekly newspapers
got out abbreviated editions last
week hut are now back on the job
ready to help build Georgia.
When the politicians remember
you with a Christmas card it may be
a hint that they want you to fill
their stockings later in the year.
By the time Dad wears out his
Christmas socks and smokes his
Christmas cigars the politicians
should be around with a fresh supply.
The nudists are still going strong
in spite of sleet ami snow. They
are probably living up to the repu
ration of being able to take it on the
thin.
Governor Talmadge gave red sus
penders for Christmas gifts to mem
bers of his staff. Many people
think he’s been seeing red for some
time.
The sincere good wishes of The
Progress-Argus goes out to every
citizen of Butts county for a vear
happiness, prosperity and content
ment.
Thet ■e will be several eclipses of
the son this year, all invisible in this
country. This does not include, how
ever, the eclipse of certain favorite
politicians.
TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT
By J. D. JONES
It was a sober Christmas. Prob
ably not before in years was theere
such a noticeable lack of drinking.
Law enforcement officers in this
section report almost a total absence
of drinking and carousing and prac
tical no arrests were made. This
speaks well for the country and
the growth of temperance. Un
doubtedly there was a good deal of
stimulants used at the Yuletide sea
son but it was well controlled.
The spirit of unselfish service and
lomembering those in less fortunate
circumstances has been one of the
trends of recent years at the Christ
mas season. Instead of buying ex
1 ensive gifts for those who do not
need them, the world, or a large
part of it, is now concerned with see
ing that the poor and unfortunate
tiave the ordinary needs and com
forts at the yuletide season. Agen
cies oj v&nnigg tar.ils give themselves
’unselfishly in an effort to provide
funds for the poor. The need, of
course, is more acute in the large
cities, and there is much is done to
bring cheer and comfort to those who
would be without any Christmas at
all. It is a fine spirit and should
continue to grow.
Another trend of the Christmas
season is the lighting of so many
trees. Christmas trees have conie
to be a very vital part of the Yule
season, and the Christmas just pass
ed seems to have had more than ever
before pretty trees, giving out at
tiactive lights and speaking of
v/armth, comfort and cheer within
It is a very pretty custom, and an
cr/joyable part of the Christmas sea
son.
Asa general proposition this col
tmn is not long on reforms. How
ever, with the confusion incident to
Christmas we are going to suggest
that Christmas day, like Thanksgiv
ing, be set on a certain day of the
year. The fourth Sunday in De
cember would not be bad. Christ
inas is intended to celebrate the birth
of the Savior and should be the most
sacred day of the year. Just when
the Savior was born nobody knows
with certainty. The date has been
placed all the way from early fall
to spring and the calendar has been
changed so often that it is a mere
guess that December 25 is the day
of His birth. At any rate the birth
I the Savior should be a day of
solemnity, rather than a day of fire
works, of drinking and carousing.
If Christmas were placed, say on the
fourth Sunday in December, the plan
should give general satisfaction. We
.ire not trying to debunk Christmas,
but simply trying to got the people
to think about the matter. What is
your opinion?
K. l\ Sasnett, well known Jackson
business man, who assumes the pres
idency of the Kiwanis club the first
of the year, is expected to prove
a worthy and capable successor to
those who have filled that office in
tne past. Interested in church and
civic affairs, as well ns being a lead
ei in business circles, he will devote
himself seriously to the work of the
organization. Kiwanis has meant a
great deal to Butts county and the
c ivic club movement has meant much
to the entire country. In a few days
the Jackson Kiwanis club will cele
brate its fourteenth anniversary.
At the beginning of the year mem
bers of the Kiwanis club vote on ob
jectives-—on the things they consider
most important to the county. Dur
ing the past year two or three move
ments of worthwhile and construc
tive nature were accomplshed. In
cluded was the bridge over the
Ocmulgee river, the paving of route
42, a canning plant for Butts county,
terracing equipment for the county
.v.id a school auditorium >n Jackson
The club will now turn its attention
to objectives for 1936. I’ersonal'y
ths column would like to see rural
THE JACKSON PROGRESS-ARGUS, JACKSON, GEORGIA
electrification placed * n reach of
I < very family in the county, full he
velopment of the Indian Springs
state park, better health conditions
in Butts county, well stocked libra
ries in all school canters, mo c
smoke stacks and larger payrolls in
the county, a gymnasium in Jackson,
an armory, new cash crops develop
ed. By the right spirit of entei
prize and co-operation some of these
things can be brought to pass before
the year is ouri
The political a upaign in Butts
county will get under way before
long. All county officers are to be
nominated. From what is heard it
seems there will be a large field
and keen competition for all offices.
Generally the public is in favor of
an early primary, so the campaign
may be gotten behind and efforts
turned to other things. Some have
expressed the opinion that the coun
ty primary should be held in connec
tion with the presidential primary,
in the event one is ordered.. At any
rate this is a political year and every
body from bailiff to president wi l !
be balloted on between now and the
freeze of winter.
As was to be expected and run
ning true to form, Georgia farmers
have made another wonderful record
in repaying government crop loans
These include both the emergency
seed and feed loans and production
erdit corporation loans. Gcorgi.i
farmers have always kept faith with
the government. This is true ir
Butts county where practically 100
per cent will he paid when the sea
son closes. As has been remarked
before small loans made to farmers
are the best and safest loans to be
found anywhere.
It is unfortunate for the state and
i ll concerned that Georgia starts out
the year with the public business in
such an uncertain and scrambled con
dition. Uncertainty prevails in all
ifficial circles, for it is not known
what the developments will be. A?
yet it is too early to predict what
will happen. There will be a way to get
along, but it is far better to have
peace, harmony and co-operation in
all departments rather than strife
and uncertainty and fear. Such a
i ondition should never again be per
mitted in Georgia.
I What will be the ultimate fate of
! the old age pension plan remains to
|be seen, but sentiment in favor of
1 pensions for aged pc ople is growing
at an alarming rate. It is probably
I: afe to predict that congress will pass
11c gislation giving pensions to old
■ people but the rate of pay will not
: likely be S2OO per month. Even a
1 small monthly payment and the
i knowledge that it would come regu
larly would remove fear and dread
from a large number of worthy but
distressed people who have reached
the age they cannot provide for
themselves. Old age pensions will
I come sooner or later.
I
ANOTHER BIRTHDAY
With this issue The Progress
Argus begins anew year, having
| been established in 1873.
This newspaper enjoys the distinc*
t ion of being the oldest business in
Butts county. It has lived long
to witness many changes in
| the country, none of which were
more marked than the period through
which we are now passing.
To its many loyal friends The
Progress-Argus is grateful for
patronage extended all through the
>c ars. In beginning a now year we
shall continue to strive to merit the
confidence, goodwill and f cvorable
consideration of the jeopl ■■ of Butts
i
county.
EARLY PRIMARY DESIRABLE
The Progress-Argus is outspoken
in its belief that Butts county should
have an early primary for the nomi
ration of all county officers.
A political year, such as 1936 ; s
destined to be, always brings more or
less confusion. The quicker this
is out of the way the better for all
concerned.
There is some argument, of course
for having the county primary in
< onnection with the presidential pri
mary, in the event one is ordered.
But regardless of what the state
committee may do in regard to a
presidential primary it would be a
desirable thing for Butts county to
order its primary as early in the
spring as possible.
Candidates should be given suffi
cient time to present their claims to
the voters. That should require
only a few weeks.
With the primary out of the way
the people will be in position to turn
their thoughts and efforts to other
things.
By all means Butts county ought
to have an early primary.
INEXCUSABLE DELAY
The writer has little sympathy or
patience with the kind of red tape
that prevails in government circles
A case in point was the inexcus
able delay in mailing parity check?
to cotton producers taking part in
the control program.
These checks for Butts county
were promised any time after the
fifteenth of December. Certainly,
it was hoped, they would arrive, a
lias been promised, in time for
Christmas spending. Other counties
received their parity payments;
Butts did not.
It is little things like this that
causes impatience with the govern
ment method of handling business.
Many growers who are in sympathy
with the larger phases of the cotton
control program, get wrought up
when the checks are not sent out
when promised. Such things should
not be allowed.
Business concerns, some with hun
dreds of thousands of stockholders,
get out dividend checks on time.
The difference is probably found in
Ihe fact that private business does
business in a thorough and syste
matic way and if necessary long hours
are put in to keep promises, while in
Washington there are too many peo
ple watching clocks.
MAKE 1936 YEAR OF BUILDING
| No better new year resolution
could be made by the people of Geor
gia than to make 1936 a year of
, building.
The outlook at the present time
is for considerable construction of
I various types, largely with the aid
,ol WPA funds. New schools, ho=-
pita’s, sewer systems, auditoriums and
1 (ther needed improvements will be
carried out with the help of the gov
ernment. That is all good and de
sirable.
What The Progress-Argus wmuld
like to see is more new homes bui't
and more homes improved and re
paired and brought up ter modern
day needs. There is a shortage of
houses all over the country. No
community can grow or attract new
citizens unless homes are provided.
In all rural communities there is
tne most urgent need for repairing
and improving and new’ building .
Most of the present tenant houses
have outlived their days of useful
ness. In many instances the houses
are mere shacks. Many of those
along the highways should be torn
clown and moved. The highway
would be more attractive.
With better business conditions
prevailing and farm income increas
ing The Progress-Argus hopes that
many new homes will be built this
year. It is one of the state’s great
est needs.
BY FIRE AND STORM
As the old year drew to a close
Jackson was tested by fire and
storm. Both of these disasters
struck with telling force and entailed
a heavy property damage.
The fire Sunday morning that de
stroyed three business houses was
one of the most severe the towr
has suffered in many years. The
loss was a considerable one, but
could have been muc hlargcr. Those
who suffered property damage have
the sympathy of their friends. In
due time the damage will be re
A BABY ON YOUR DOORSTEPS
Bringing New Year Greetings
While the bells are ringing out the old year and
ringing in the New Father Time is busy handing
every one a New Year’s gift. He is not a respecter
of persons. All are given the same thing.
Unlike Old Santa he doesn’t bother about wha f
we may want. He just flings a baby year on every
person’s door steps and goes on about his business
of making centuries.
Babies always bring problems. The baby New
Year is no exception. Something must be done
with him. If he ever amounts to a “hill of beans’’
he must be given a good start.
Here’s hoping you will like your baby, year
1936. That you will “train him up in the way he
should go” and be richly rewarded in happiness and
prosperity.
JACKSON NATIONAL BANK
JACKSON, GEORGIA
paired, and it is hoped that new and
larger buildings will replace those
destroyed.
The sleet storm that gripped much
of north Georgia was the worst in a
long number of years. Property
loss ran high, and for a time there
nas discomfort and inconvenience
caused by the interruption of means
c f communication and power and
lights. While the storm was partic
ularly severe in the area around At
lanta, it is good to know that many
parts of the state escaped without
damage.
One of the worst features of the
sleet storm was the damage done to
trees. Many pines were ruined by
the sleet and other trees were twist
ed and bent. In time the damage
will be overcome.
Fear is expressed also that con
siderable crop damage resulted.
Many believe that small grains wer.
damaged by the sleet and the sub
freezing weather that has prevailed
in this section for many days.
The trade campaign conductd by
•Jackson business houses the past fab
was successful and brought satisfac
tory returns. It should be contin
ued during this season.
The whole country should resolve
to bring about a decrease in the
number of fatal automobile acei
dents. That is one new year resolu
tion that should be faithfully kept.
The old reliabe Grier’s almanac
started the year by making a mis
take in calculating the rising and
setting of the sun. The days are
short enough without trying to make
them any shorter.
There was a slight increase in thi
number of persons lynched in 1935,
compared with the previous year.
Lynching is an abominable crime but
will never be stopped entirely until
the cause is removed.
Many of the experts and big busi
ness leaders predict better business
during 1936. The country has come
along ways since 1933 and business
is already vastly better ljut there is
still room for improvement.
Congressman Ramspeek favors a
law to limit automobiles, to 60 miles
an hour. The measure has merit.
Something must be done to stop the
slaughter on the highways and to reg
ulate the speed of automobiles will
be a step in the right direction.
The Lindberghs are going to Eng
land to reside and be safe from kid
napers. That is a fine commentar
< n this country. When the criminal
element ge.-- so strong that it run
{■way good citizens it is time for
something to be done about it.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 3, 193
Santa Claus probably got snow
bound, as he didn’t show up with the
parity checks promised Butts county
cotton growers in time for Christmas
spending.
Nobody was mad by receiving a
dividend check the first of the year.
Georgia corporations paid out sev
eral million dollars to their stock
lolders on January 1.
The school and college boys and
girls are turning their faces toward
another session. It seems to be the
consensus of opinion among this
group that the Christmas season is
too short.
With all the WPA projects about
to get under way there should be
much activity in Georgia and through
out the nation in 1936. Many of
the projects are of a worthwhile na
ture and will serve a useful-purpose.
A HEARTY AMEN
The Gainesville Eagle writing on
seme things that have been abused
says “enough is enough.” To this
we say a hearty amen.
The Eagle editorial is as follows -
Nothing could suit The Eagle for
1936 better than to have a quietus
put on some of the outlandlish’y pub
:icized events of recent months. The
newspapers and magazines, the radio
and newsreels, have not only worn
the incidents threadbare, they have
disseced the bodies and exposed every
Lone and muscle.
We do not care if we never hear
the name of Richard Bruno Haupt
mann. Enough is enough. And
that goes for Charles A. Lndbergh,
A1 Smith, William Randolph Hearst,
Herbert Hoover, A1 Capone, Jimmie
Walker, William Gibbs McAdoo.
The Eagle has seen too many pic
tures of the same thing. The fa
mous Roosevelt smile, the stray fore
head lock of Talmadge, the jaw of
Mussolini, the whiskers of Haila
Selassie, to name a few. One woul 1
think the newspapers thought these
men were everybodys sweetheart and
too many pictures could not be made.
The Eagle believes 1936 can take
care of herself. At least, Miss New
Year will be more attractive without
Hie hangover of Old Year.
JACKSON SCHOOLS WILL
RFSUME WORK MONDAY
Announcement is made by D. V.
Spencer, superintendent of the Jack
son pub'ic schools, that the opening
the schools for the spring term will
be on Monday, Januai'y 6.
The opening was scheduled for
Thursday, December 2, but on ac
count of the severe freeze which has
paralyzed traffic and interfered with
electric light and power service it
was deemed advisable to postpone
he opening until Monday.