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3axksoix Troxrrsss-^rgtts J. D. Jones Publisher (1908-1955 Doyle Jones Jr. Editor and Publisher (1955-1975) MRS. MARTHA G JONES PUBLISHER VINCENT JONES EDITOR Published every 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. Bnal newspaper Sh hWrt IMS' a] NNA SUSTAINING g MEMBER-1975 Advance Subscription Rates, Tax Included: One Year $6.24 Six Months $3.91 School Year $5.20 Single Copy 15c Editorial* Do Constitutional Boards Make Sense Today? Since World War 11, Georgians have witnessed two major changes in the administration of the State’s internal affairs. The creation of building authorities escalated after the Second World War when major capital outlays were required which could not be funded through taxes or the issuance of general obligation bonds. Building authorities were established to generate capital funds by issuing revenue certifi cates, with repayment coming from rental to State agencies, lease-tyack arrangements or oc casionally from fees or funds generated by the facility itself. Authority funding in Georgia has run into the hundreds of millions but it has permitted the State to provide vitally needed facilities in as painless a manner as can be conceived. Another movement which caught fire about the same time and has proliferated just as extensively is the creation of constitutional boards to operate departments of State government. Constitutional boards received a collective black eye recently with the public disclosure that at least two of them had awarded healthy raises to department heads, without bothering to let the public know that their tax dollars were being spent in such a manner. In one case, the raise amounted to SIO,OOO a year, an increase slightly larger than that most taxpayers are accustomed to getting, or most tax-paying industries are accustomed to paying. Such an imperialistic attitude calls into question the validity of constitutional boards in the first place. Constitutional boards exist The School Bus Driver He, or she, awakens in the Stygian darkness of two hours before dawn, prepares and consumes a hearty breakfast for the long day ahead and an hour before the first cock crows, is already on the road to school and towards the first pick-up stop. The cargo they carry is the most precious transported by any four-wheeled vehicle in operation today. Our children, our joys for the present and our hopes for the future. Like the friendly cop on the beat, or the stalwart firemen who protect our homes and businesses, school bus drivers receive few accolades for the vital service they perform. We Americans are good at taking things for granted, at becoming so immeshed in the status quo that we really don’t take time to consider what it consists of. So it seems peculiarly appro priate, and fitting, that Governor TELEPHONE 775-3107 OFFICIAL ORGAN BUTTS COUNTY AND CITY OF JACKSON primarily so,that governors can recognize and reward the egos of some of their more prominent and affluent supporters. With a proviso that the incumbent governor can appoint only half, or less, of its members, constitutional boards theoretically are removed from the pressures of the governor’s off ice.. They choose the department head, or chief executive officer and, in the instances just cited, sometimes reward him too handsomely. Meeting once a month for a few hours, they are supposed to review departmental policies, suggest revisions and formulate or approve new programs that would make their department more responsive to the people’s needs. Actually, constitutional boards create burdens for a department’s top executive staff, which must furnish them with detailed reports and explanations of department programs for each monthly meeting, a time-consumer task that can tie up the administrative staff for days at a time. Board members often brow beat legislators in the interest of the department’s budget, always politicking for more money so that the department’s staff and influ ence can be increased. Aside from the decided minority who will serve any public office well, the majority of constitutional board members look upon their monthly visit to Atlanta as purely a means of enlivening an otherwise dull existence. Constitutional boards? Who needs them? The people elect the governor, so why not give the governor full authority and responsiblity for operating the State’s many departments of government? Busbee would designate October 27th as “School Bus Driver Appreciation Day” in Georgia. The Governor knows, and appreciates, what an essential service these salt-of-the-earth, dedicated people render and he felt they should be recognized and honored for it. We join the Governor in his salute to school bus drivers throughout Georgia and especially in Butts County where their record of faithfulness, dependability, and safety is unequaled any where. A nation, or a people, that is unappreciative of the many taken-for-granted parts that to gether compose the whole web and woof of our society is a nation sadly lacking in a fundamental tenet of the Christian faith. We join Governor Busbee in saluting a dedicated group of people who help make democracy work. THE JACKSON PROGRESS-ARGUS, JACKSON, GEORGIA The Last Straw BY VINCENT JONES “Hi, buddy, it’s good to see you out again after that bout you had with the swine flu. Don’t see why you have to be so piggish about being sick, though.” “Thanks, chum, I figure I caught the bug in Oklahoma on my last trip.” “Well, I reckon you went to the polls Tuesday and exercised your choice for President.” “Can’t say that I did, chum. I just couldn’t whip myself into a dither over either of the candidates. It appears to me that both of them were trying to play Santa Claus with the American voters, carrying a big bag full of promises, two-thirds of which they knew they could not deliver.” “I would be the first to admit there was a lot of bombast, voter baiting and promissory oratory, but still I feel we had an obligation to either vote for a change or a continuance of our present policy.” “Chum, such naivete is what makes you- an All- American chump. You and I know we could not detect with the best political detector ever invented one iota of difference in the way the country is being run, regardless of which party won.” “You sound like a fatalist, buddy. While admittedly there is a similarity of political philosophy between the two major parties, still one must allow for the vast differences in both intellect and idealism between the two contending personalities.” “Balderdash, chum. No one man is going to stop some of the excesses going on in this country today and restore sane, sensible gov ernment to the American scene once more.” “What kind of excesses did you have in mind?” “A deterioration of the traditional quality that once characterized American workmanship, a turn around of the sales pitch of high quality and low prices to read the reverse, a continuing rip-off of the American consumer by big business.” “Man, that’s some charge you’ve worked up. Can you be more specific?” “Well, take housing, for instance. You and I built homes for $12,500 that are far better bargains than you can get today for SBO,OOO. In fact, housing prices are so far out of line that I am scheduling a trip to Oklahoma next week to visit Cousin Hammer Nail again.” “Cousin Hammer Nail. Man, that sounds like an Indian name.” “My cousin is an Indian, a descendant of the lower Creeks who left Butts County 150 years ago. He has the reputation of being the best wigwam builder in Okla homa and he has franchised operations throughout the Southwest.” “But wigwams, buddy, who in the world would want to live in a wigwam?” “Listen, chum, for $17,500, we can put up the best single-pole wigwam on the American continent. Com plete with lifetime-guaran teed, termite-proofed, cy press center pole, treated with a pet-repellant that lasts for 10 years. You cover this with rain-proofed deer skins, and we figure to get them cheap here in Butts County, and you’ve got beauty, comfort, protection from all weather conditions and all at a price of $2,000 down and $342.00 a month for 25 years.” “Sounds good, but are there some disadvantages you fail to mention?” “Only one. You have to be careful to avoid the swine flu. You see the pig pen is enclosed, located just off the dining area.” “So long, buddy, and may the vote you failed to cast be the one that cost the election of the best man.” “Goodby, chum, come to see me next month in my THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1976 v jjj A Stroll Down Memory Lane | News of 10 Years Ago Citizens of Henry County voted 2,246 to 1,819 to license the sale of beer and wine in a county-wide referendum held last week. Miss Judith Lynne Sharp, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Clyde Bowman Sharp, of La Follette, Tenn. and Rogers Starr, Jr., son of Lt. Col. and Mrs. Rogers Fleming Starr, of Jackson, were united in marriage Saturday, October 29. Marion Todd, local man ager of the ASCS office, reported a sweet potato from his tatcr patch weighed in at slightly over six pounds. The potato was of the Georgia Red variety. Mrs. Elizabeth Watkins has been appointed volunteer chairman of the Butts County U. S. Savings Bonds Commit tee by Secretary of the Treasury Henry H. Fowler. Officers of the Jackson High FHA Chapter for the 1966-67 school year are Rita Cawthon. president; Elaine Bedsole, first vice president; Kay Kimbell, second vice president; Penny Thompson, secretary; and Dianne Kim bell. treasurer. News of 20 Years Ago Rev. Gaither A. Briggs, pastor of the Jackson Baptist Church since Jan. 1, 1939, resigned Sunday to accept a call to the Sweetwater Baptist Church in North Augusta. S. C. The Jacksonaires will play for a dance following the Homecoming game Friday night. Band members are Scott Coleman, Billy Weaver and Larry Richards, saxo phone; Grady Jackson, drums; Butch Bohannon and Jackson band director Henry Tate, trumpet; and Bill Garland, piano. The Polly 4-Hers, a six-grade 4-H group, elected Glenda Gray, president; Diane Turner, girl’s vice president; Frank Peek, boy’s vice president; Linda Turn er, treasurer, and Beet Washington, reporter. Deaths during the week: Dr. J. Roland Strickland, 68. News of 30 Years Ago Officers of the Jackson Methodist Church have re cently signed an order for a new Austin pipe organ to be installed as soon as condi tions will permit. J. K. Sitton, manager, reports that the Butts County Freezer Locker is rapidly being filled with choice Butts County beef and pork. The Jackson Manufactur ing Cos., Inc. is holding open house on Tuesday. The Company is presently mak ing 100 dozen of boys’ pants per day. Officers are W. M. Redman, president; C. H. Addison, vice-president manager and Fletcher Man ley Madison, secretary and treasurer. In a letter to homefolks, Miss Lucy Jim Webb, a missionary to the Moore Memorial church in Shang hai, reports that she has arrived safely back on her mission field. Deaths during the week: Mrs. A. H. Ogletree, 90; Mrs. Maie Pullin Watkins, 66; Mrs. F. H. Royal. News of 40 Years Ago President Franklin D. Roosevelt swept to a decisive victory in Tuesday’s pri mary, winning 46 of the 48 teepee and be sure to bring the vaccine with you, hear.” states, losing only Maine and Vermont to his Republican opponent, Alfred Landon. Roosevelt carried Butts County by a majority of 820 to 33. P. H. Weaver will succeed R. P. Sasnett as president of the Jackson Kiwanis Club. Rev. E. L. Daniel has been named vice president and J. W. O’Neal, secretary treasurer. Butts County is represent ed by 10 students at the Georgia State College for Women in Milledgeville, including Misses Mary Lee Burford, Annie Van Jones, Helen and Sara McMichael, Marion Nutt, Johnsie Settle, Elizabeth Sitton, Glennis Thornton, Cola Pope and Hilda Whitaker. Miss Vera Edwards, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Edwards, will be at one of the 20 Baldwin grand pianos when Brenau College pre sents its third annual Georgia Piano Ensemble Concert at the Erlanger Theater in Atlanta on November 12th. News of 50 Years Ago The Harvest Festival held here last Friday is generally declared to have been a success in every particular, ranking with the Jubilee of 1924 and the Centennial of last season. Prizes in the community and school floats division of the Harvest Festival went to Towaliga, first; Buttrill, second, and Cedar Rock, third. Prize winners in the organization floats were Woman’s Club, first; U.D.C., second, and W. C. T. U.,third. A total cash income of $146.84 from 6,500 pimiento pepper plants, enough to plant a fraction more than an acre of land, is the record reported by H. M. Blissette, of Locust Grove, Henry County. At the Jackson High Auditorium, the feature attraction was the 50-girl Jackson High Glee Club and Zane Grey’s Wild Horse Mesa, starring Jack Holt and Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. Prof. Albert Lee Snider, Griffin weather expert, says “get in your coal and lay in your wood, for freezing weather is coming on November 21st.” Deaths during the week: John Thomas Johnson, 68. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR On behalf of the Butts County Health Department, the Butts County Jaycees, and myself, we wish to thank you for the coverage that you and your staff gave us on the Swine Flu Clinic in Butts County on October 17, 1976. Asa result of your interest in this service and coverage you gave, 638 people were inoculated. Again, I thank you for your cooperation. Sincerely, Robert A. Morgan, Swine Flu Coordinator West District Health Dept. La Grange, Ga. BUPDYRUFF - Yl^e S \fcfs MATH- /"weTcamHelp7~"\ , MATTEfC,)/ I'M IMVIN& HXJK.E U5114G THE \ LUMBERS USEI IF MxJ HAVE / X \ guppy?// trouble ( wRoMa formula I J canpy oars<4 6 campy wws)/ unf j > UMPgRSTANPINS V vy ANP 3 SOOA / SOPA T V fr; y . J RpIRURRI By Mrs. Cindy Brown A CHILD IS BORN Yesterday there was a mass murder in California, an airplane crash over the Atlantic, an earthquake in Mexico; yet, a child was born. Today there is an auto strike in Atlanta, a person starving in India, a home burning nearby; yet a child is born. Tomorrow there will be a murder somewhere, a fire somewhere else, and a growing unemployment line ,in yet another place; and there will in all likelihood be born another child. Someone madea a famous statement once -- he said “Our children are our promise for the future.” God evidently believes that to be true. The big question is do we as parents believe enough in their potential, to help our children become promises instead of problems? ■ ‘Whatsoever Things’ By Donald E. WilcTmon THE INFLUENCE OF THE CHURCH ON AMERICA Influence is sometimes established by way of a direct attempt, an intentional purpose made to bring about a desired change or result. But, more often than not, influence comes by an indirect process. When it comes by this indirect route it is more difficult to detect, not as easily recognized. Many and varied have been the influences which have shaped this country of ours. Those influences range all the way from our language, which we owe directly to Great Britain, to our system of counting, which we owe to the Romans. In this process of influencing America, the Christian Church has had a tremendous role. This influence, while not without blemish, has none-the-less been almost totally for the good. The influence of the Church is often visible. And America, as a country, has recognized it. But the influence of the Church upon our country has usually come from the indirect path, the more subtle route. I would like to lift up some influences which the Church has had on our country. Whether we recognize it or not, and even whether we appreciate it or not, our country is greatly indebted to the Church for its contribution. Let’s begin with the formation of America, back when Columbus made his famous voyage. Columbus, in seeking a sponsor to sail around the world to India, sought out most of the rulers of Europe only to have his idea turned down as foolish nonsense. Even King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain turned down his proposal, not once but three times. It was his fourth plea to Ferdinand and Isabella which was accepted. It was a two-fold appeal: To replenish the royal treasury and to save the world for Christ. It is significant to note that the flagship for his voyage was the Santa Maria, The Saint Mary-named after the Virgin Mary. The first ship to anchor off Jamestown in 1607 carried an Anglican clergyman, and the colonists took time out from building their own shelters to fashion a crude church building from freshly cut timber and tattered sails. Go through the little towns and hamlets which gave birth to our nation and you would find in the center of the community a church building with its steeple towering toward the heavens. Puritan leader John Winthrop composed a sermon for his fellow passengers aboard the ship Arbella as she headed for New England in the spring of 1630. The group was to establish the Massachusetts Bay Colony. To them and to the Americans which were to follow he wrote: “We shall be as a city upon a hill.” He related that they would be a model before the “Eies of all people.” Why did these and other settlers come to America? Robert J. McCracken has put it best: “We on this continent should never forget that men first crossed the Atlantic not to find soil for their ploughs but to secure liberty for their souls." Look at the early settlements and see how many of them had a religious background: Massachusetts was settled by the Puritans. Maryland was settled by the Catholics.’lt was named directly after Henrietta Maria, the wife of Charles I of England, but indirectly after Mary, the mother of Christ. Maryland-the land of Mary. And Virginia was settled by the Anglicans. And Pennsylvania by the Quakers. In the expansion of America, the Church always went before government. The missionaries and the Circuit Riders went into the wilderness to seek out converts and to establish churches. Father Junipero Serra, a Franciscan monk, founded nine missions In California from San Diegq to San Francisco in the second half of the 18th century-75 years before California was admitted to the Union. Deeply rooted is tlie influence of the Church on our country. Promise and problem are similar words alphabetically speaking: They both have a PRO in them. It is the last half of the two words that can make a difference. Accord ing to Webster, a promise is “ground for hope, expecta tion, or assurance of eventual success;” and the definition for problem reads: “of a child, presenting a problem to those responsible for him because of misconduct or maladjustment.” We as a community can help to ensure that our children are “Grounds for Hope” rather than malad justed misses. How can we accomplish this feat? By helping to create a good school system, a beneficial recreation program, a God inspired existence. We are our own promise or problem for our children. Our inter action is their reaction. Let us begin to act as promises.