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Jackson Trngress-^rgus J. D. Jones Publisher (1908-1955 Doyle Jones Jr. Editor and Publisher (1955-1975) MRS. MARTHA G. JONES PUBLISHER VINCENT JONES EDITOR Published fevery Thursday at 129 South Mulberry Street, Jackson, Georgia 30233 by The Progress-Argus Printing Cos., Inc. Second Class Postage paid at Jackson, Georgia 30233. Address notice of undeliverable copies and other correspondence to The Jackson Progress-Argus, P.O. Box 249, Jackson, Georgia 30233. gONAL NEWSPAPER hsagLUtt. >sl NNA SUSTAINING S MEMBER —1975 One Year 16.24 School Year $5.20 Editorials .=**-.MU** ••• r Tuesday Is To Be The Day of the Democrats Headed by electors pledged to support Jimmy Carter, down to Congressman John J. Flynt, Jr. from the Sixth Congressional District, on through a list of state elective offices to the Butts County nominees in the August primary and run-off, the Democratic Party has much to offer voters next Tuesday. It is a ticket offering seasoned politicians, fresh new faces, winners all in the fractricidal strife of party primaries, a ticket marked by the quality of its nominees and a ticket that Butts County voters should not have difficulty subscrib ing to, and voting for, with a great deal of enthusiasm. Some of the smile has been taken from Mr. Carter’s face but he still emerges as the most promising political leader the Democrats have brought forth in this generation. Arrayed against his whole some Christian character which seems to antagonize those who do not wish their political candidates to appear too pure, is a series of sorry spectacles conducted by the Republicans under the guise of good government. Abuse of power, betrayal, political blackmail, bur glaries, perjuries-you name it, and the country has had it the last few years. Against such a background of political chicanery, President Ford emerges as superior to those Who preceded him, a man a little larger than the political legacy left him, but overall a man who has to sink 28 Amendments Are Far Too Many For Most The ballot voters will be handed next Tuesday may not be bed-sheet size but it would cover a small table. In addition to the party choices offered, there are 28 proposed constitutional amendments with general application throughout the state. Among the most important, in our opinion, are Amendment No. 2, “Shall the Constitution be amended so as to allow a Governor to succeed himself for one four-year term?” Why not? We believe the people of Georgia have sense enough to reward a good governor with a second term, and throw out a bad one after one term. Amendment No. 10 would provide by law for indemnification with respect to the death of a law enforcement officer, fireman or prison guard killed in the line of duty in an amount not to exceed $50,000. A much needed change. With the hoods declaring open warfare against any person wearing a uniform, the families of these men, and women, need and are entitled to this protection. Advance Subscription Rates, Tax Included: TELEPHONE 775-3107 OFFICIAL ORGAN butts county and CITY OF JACKSON six Months $3.91 Single Copy 15c or swim with his party. The fleas come with The dog, you know, and there is no separating them. At the Sixth District Congres sional level, incumbent Jack Flynt, slated to become the dean of the Georgia delegation next January, a man now rising to the full tide of power afforded by the seniority system, is bearing the full brunt of a well-financed attack by his Republican opponent. At the risk for Butts Countians, and the entire Sixth District, is the tremendous loss of power and prestige that Jack Flynt has built up in his 12 terms as your Congressman. Jack Flynt’s friends are legion in the Sixth District. They remember his efforts, to bring fiscal restraint and responsibility to government spending and they remember his conservative ap proach towards the creation of an ever larger, and less responsive, federal government. Sixth District Democrats will step forward on Tuesday and insure Mr. Gingrich a return to his classroom work as a professor at West Georgia College. We wish him a long tenure and much success there. Through the several state elective offices, down to the old Butts’ boys, Blue and Leverette and Beauchamp and Briscoe and all the rest. All Democrats and all worthy of your support next Tuesday, right down the line. Tuesday is the day for all good Democrats to stick together, vote together and celebrate together. Amendment No. 20 provides for the operation of bingo games by non-profit organizations. This amendment makes an exception to the present law against lotteries. As such, it is full of potential dangers, although the full import of the change is not manifest by the language of the amendment. Amendment No. 22 would empower the General Assembly to exempt from ad valorem taxation certain property of non-profit homes for the aged. This does not apply to a great many of the so-called nursing homes which now are operated as profitable ven tures. A good amendment, well intentioned. Amendment No. 4 would change the name of the Depart ment of Community Development back to the Department of Industry and Trade, where it was 10 years ago when we left it. Evidently, a bid to capitalize on advertising and promotion that went into building the Industry and Trade image. It is nice to see some evidence of common sense return to govern ment. THE JACKSON PROGRESS-ARGUS, JACXSON, GEORGIA THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1976 The Last Straw BY VINCENT JONES Next Tuesday will end the agony for a large segment of the voting populace who have undergone considerable mental anguish while asses sing the basic qualifications and abilities of the two candidates for president. The debates have not been helpful in resolving the issue. Both candidates have been evasive, their answers often vague and irrelevant to the question asked, and the feeling persists that a good high school debater could successfully challenge either of them. Mr. Ford has not instituted an energy policy as such for a nation dependent on foreign (often alien) countries for 60 percent of its oil supply. Mr. Carter said he would have an energy policy but he didn’t say what it would be. Mr. Ford said inflation has been cut in half during his two years as president. Mr. Carter said unemployment is unacceptably high, but he didn’t outline how he is going to put people back to work. Mr. Ford defends his defense budget as essential to keeping America strong. At various times, Mr. Carter has indicated he would whack from five to fifteen billions from it and still keep America’s strength intact. But he didn’t say where the cuts would come and what kind of efficiencies would be installed to bring about such a budget reduction. Both candidates have weaseled on forced busing, on abortion, on prayer in. public schools, substantive tax reform and a number of other issues that many Americans consider vital. So, for many, the choice between the two men simply boils down to a question of believability, of which candi date appears to be the most forthright and honest in the presentation of his platform. Which of the two seems to be more genuinely concern ed, not with the Michigan cherry growers or the Sumter County peanut farm ers, but with the welfare and hopes and aspirations of all Americans everywhere. Somewhere, also, in weigh ing the candidates’ qualifica tions it seems one must weigh the potential of the two men, Which man has the greater intellectual ability, the broader vision, the longer look at what America can and should be far down the roads of tomorrow? When these criteria are applied, it is difficult to fault Mr. Carter. Although his explanations of specific pro grams may appear fuzzy at times, Jimmy Carter is an articulate spokesman of the dreams most of us hold for America. And, although he may not possess the organizational ability or the political sagacity to bring the nation to its full fruition, the promise he holds out is worth a try. Candidates are famous for their double-talk. No person running for the presidency would wish to voluntarily take positions that would cost him millions of votes. That is the reason the debates have settled very little. Neither candidate wants to make unequivocal stands on any issue, for fear of antagoniz ing large segments of potential voters. There is reason to believe that Jimmy Carter, when elected, would attack the problems of this nation with a singleness of purpose and with the vast intellectual abilities he possesses in a manner that would be more direct and less devious than his campaign oratory. The promise of America. Perhaps that is the main issue in the 1976 presidential campaign. Which man can best fire the imaginations of our people, can best wade through the welter of secrecy, intrigue, red tape and governmental ineffi ciency, and never lose sight of the image of America’s V S, roll Dwn'n Memory Lane News oflO Years Ago The Butts County Lions Club is sponsoring a Beautifi cation Project to be carried out in conjuntion with the 4-H Clubs. Lion Carl Brack has been appointed chairman of the project. Members of Jackson’s Volunteer Fire Department were royally entertained by the management of the Westbury Medical Care Home in Jenkinsburg at a steak supper. The firemen were honored for their efforts in fighting a stubborn blaze at the Jenkinsburg home. Members of Macedonia Baptist Church will dedicate their beautiful new house of worship on Sunday, October 30th. Lightning struck and destroyed the old church building in May, 1965. Mr. and Mrs. Rufus Adams of Jackson announce the engagement of their daugh ter, Carol Elizabeth, to Benjamin McCaskill Gar land, son of Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin B. Garland of Jackson. Deaths during the week: Mrs. Daisy Wilson Knowles, 82; Mrs. Nannie Bishop Cochran, 84; Julian A. Duke, 47; Harper Daniell Smith, 62. News of 20 Years Ago Sponsored by the local National Guard company, the famous Ring Brothers Circus will play a one-day stand in Jackson on October 25th at the new National Guard Armory. A dedication service, fol lowed by open house, for their new educational build ing will be held Sunday at the Jackson Presbyterian Church. Miss Georgie Wat kins was chairman of the finance committee and Mau rice Carmichael headed the building committee. The Butts County P.T.A. is holding a Halloween Carni val at the Jackson High gymnasium on Tuesday night. Mr. and Mrs. N. K. Vickers of Flovilla observed their fiftieth wedding anniversary on Sunday, October 14th, at the home of their daughter, Mrs. W. A. Smith, Jr. Deaths during the week: E. I. Rooks, 81. News of 30 Years Ago Local pecan growers are unanimous in declaring the current crop as the smallest in a generation. The crop last year was bountiful. J. M. L. Comer has identified the following win ners of FFA awards at the Butts County Fair. Arthur Freeman-dairy calves; Ray Lowry-pigs; Billy Greer oats; Leonard Colwell and Billy Greer-lespedeza; Her man Cawthon-corn; James Biles-cotton; Jack Knowles pasture. Jackson voters have re turned Mayor W. M. Redman to office and elected these councilmen: J. H. Turner, first ward; J. A. Dodson, second ward; J. S. Ball, Sr., third ward, and J. W. O’Neal, fourth ward. Miss Elizabeth Hood, home demonstration agent and chairman of the women’s division of the Butts County Fair announces that the Mimosa Garden Club was first place winner in the flower show, Jackson Garden greatness that always seems to elude us? We believe that Jimmy Carter can best lead this country out of its present doldrums into an era of true greatness. Club, second; Towaliga, third; Hawthorn, fourth, and Cherokee, fifth. Deaths during the week: Mrs. L. L. Washington, 60; W. C. Pinnell, 67. For over 20 years, Mr. Pinnell served as manager of the Jackson Ice Corporation. News of 40 Years Ago Formal opening of the Sim’s 5 and 10 Store, Jackson’s newest business concern, has been announced for Friday, October 30th. The installation of 600 opera chairs in the new school auditorium has been completed and a modern heating system will be installed as the next project. A fine type of farm-to market road now being constructed is that from Stark to connect with Route 16 at the Watkins and Lemon farms. The road leads from Stark by Hall’s Bridge to the intersection near Pepperton. On Tuesday afternoon the members of the Towaliga Community Club, in order to show their love and apprecia tion for Prof. John Harkness, gave a pantry shower for his mother at the home of Mrs. George Harkness. Deaths during the week: Mrs. A. H. Smith, 81; W. F. Smith, 68. News of 50 Years Ago Jackson’s White Way has been completed and lights were turned on for the first time Monday night. There are eight lights around the court house yard and twelve in the business district. J. H. Rooks, superintendent of the water and light department, supervised the installation. Miss Rubie Moore, daugh ter of Mr. and Mrs. W. O. Moore of Cork, has been named Queen of the Butts County Harvest Festival. Miss. Moore teaches in the public school at Worthville. Food at the. Jackson Club Corporation’s booth will be donated by local merchants. The Silverman’s Bread was donated by Etheridge-Smith Cos., Morris Supreme hams by Paul Tyler & Cos., Town Talk Flour by Barnes Trading Cos. and Empire coffee by Paul Tyler & Cos. Under the auspices of the Jackson Kiwanis Club, the first consignment of bream has been deposited in the Central Georgia Power Com pany lake, according to G. B. Mallet, chairman of a committee handling the matter. At the Jackson school Auditorium, moving pictures of the Storm at Miami, plus Rudolph Valentino in The Sheik. Deaths during the week: Dr. J. H. Eakes, of Griffin, former pastor of the Jackson Methodist Church around the turn of the century. wmm Emphysema Hoimo ® ver 22.ooo uldllllu yearly CanS ciippies mk $100,000,000 OUOIO in disability Give to Christmas Seals Help your local lung association FIGHT EMPHYSEMA It’s a matter of life and breath 1 1 By Mrs. Cindy Brown Today’s world is not all bad; the space age we live in has created miracles - medical and economic ones. I wish though that some things had not changed: Halloween is one of them. Do you remember how “Trick or Treating” used to be a real highlight of the year? And it was a pretty safe highlight at that; wandering up to almost any front door, not being afraid to eat any goddies received. Times have changed, un fortunately. For one thing, most children can afford (through their parents’ gen erosity) to spend at least a quarter a day on junk, if they are allowed to do so, and a child can no longer play ghost or goblin at any given home. After all, some sick persons stick razor blades or poison in Halloween candy and fruit. I imagine that you, like I, used to make your own costumes at home: Ghosts derived from old sheets, Hobos from Daddy’s old \ LEGALIZED GAMBLING IN GEORGIA The framers of the Georgia Constitution wisely raised a bulwark against gambling in Georgia by a provision that “all lotteries and the sale of lottery tickets, are prohibited and this prohibition shall be enforced by penal laws.” On the basis of this Constitutional Ban and their own moral convictions Gov. George Busbee and former Governor Jimmy Carter each vetoed a bill to legalize gambling on bingo games. At the last session of the legislature this bill was introduced again and when it seemed doomed to defeat, because of the strong opposition of citizens from all over Georgia, a resolution was introduced proposing an amendment to the constitu tion so as to provide that bingo games operated by non-profit organizations should be considered legal when the winnings paid did not exceed $114,400.00 per year. This is in cash winnings, now at reasonable odds of five to one the victims could be robbed of roughly one-half million dollars. The Eighth Commandment says “thou shalt not steal” and yet here we are about to permit these thieves to steal millions from our .citizens rich and poor but mostly the poor and needy. Can we carelessly put more people on the welfare rolls, do we wish to increase the human misery and suffering beyond its present level? Can we afford to put more tempta tion before our young people? My answer is no. We must protect our citizens young and old, affluent and poverty stricken, black and white from this menace. Let us make this perfectly clear, this does not affect our simple social games of bingo as now played and enjoyed in our nursing homes, recrea tion centers and in our homes any more than it affects dominoes, scrabble or any other similar game. They are and will remain the whole some games they now are. For many years efforts have been made by the gambling syndicates to legal ize pari-mutual betting in Georgia with the introduction of horse racing and dog racing. Since this failed they decide to “lull us gently to sleep”, “To allay all of our fears” by selecting the name of a simple childrens game “bingo”. This is merely a smoke screen, a foot in the door, an opening wedge, that will open a Pandoras Box of evils including gambling halls all over the state of Georgia. They would have us believe clothers and witches’ garb or princess’ gowns from Mama’s sewing machines. Nowadays, Mom or Dad can waltz into the local 5 and 10 store and purchase any factory-made costume be it a batman or bozo creation. I would really like to return to my apple bobbing days of antiquity. One lady I knew always had hot popcorn awaiting the local Goblins while another neighbor, a well-known Dad, would deck himself out in a terrifying monster outfit, sit in a rocking chair on his front porch and dare us all to knock on his front door. Today’s children reap a lot of benefits from technology, but they lose as many benefits because of our technical, complicated society. If I could turn back the clock, I’d recreate safer Halloweens. Oh, to be Father Time on a moonlit October night chockful of gremlins, goblins and bright-eyed children. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR that this bingo amendment is just as innocent and as harmless as a newborn babe, as American as apple pie. It is one thing to enjoy recreation, it is quite another thing to stage something that bankrupts the family. Gambling means many things. To a detective it may mean the money which finances a whole complex of crime, to a church member it means another word for evil. To another person it may be an obsession, and for his family it may mean tragedy. I like Webster’s definition “it means to lose”. Never to win in the end. This amendment will be mixed in with such a clutter of other things on election day that it will win by default unless we are very careful to remember the number of this amendment. “Vote against legalized gambling (bingo) vote -- no -- on amendment (no. 20). There will be many other amendments but you may choose to vote on only cfertain ones. The important thing to remember is “no” on “no. 20”. There are seven million compulsive gamblers in this country. This means a person who is addicted to gambling. He has a disease the same as a narcotic addict. There are fifty million social gamblers who can easily become members of this compulsive group. THE CASE AGAINST LEGALIZED GAMBLING —Gambling is the primary source of revenue for organized crime. —Gambling with its rela tionship to syndicated crime, has been exposed as one of the major corrupting influ ences upon state officials, courts and police. —Legitimate business suf fers as a resiilt of gambling. In this Bicentennial year I cannot close without a quote from our first president, George Washington, the father of. our country, “gambling is a child of avarice, the brother of iniquity, and the father of mischief,” We urge you to vote against legalized gambling on No vember 2nd. Vote No on Amendment —2O. Don Folsom