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To the People of Georgia
At an Educational Conference Held in Atlanta, at Which
Governor Joseph M. Terrell Presided, the Under
signed Committee Was Appointed to Prepare
and Publish the Following Address
To the People of Georgia:
It is self-evident that in a democracy the intelligence of the people Lr
a necessary condition of good government. For this reason the State un
dertakes as a means of self-protection the work of public education. Our
forefathers accepted and acted on these principles. Immediately following
the Declaration of Independence and the institution of a Democratic
government, they provided in the first Constitution of the State, that of
1777, for the establishment of a public school system. In 1785, speaking
through their legislature, they declared that the “ prosperity and even the
existence of the State ” can be secured only by “ religion and education.”
During the 127 years that have elapsed since our first Constitution, the
record of Georgia in behalf of public education, considered in the light of
conditions that have existed, has been honorable; but the time has now
come when a forward movement i 3 imperatively demanded by our interest
and by our duty.
It is not more certain that in past ages Force was dominant than that in
•these later times Intelligence rules. In the competition among nations, the
•most intelligent will have the mastery; in the competition between sections,
•the best educated will have pre-eminence; in the competition among indi
viduals, the man most highly trained will be the most sure of success and
the best equipped for usefulness. For these reasons the intelligence and
conscience of the State will be satisfied with nothing less than a perfected
system of public schools where all the children of the commonwealth, re
gardless of condition in life or circumstance of fortune, may have an
opportunity for the development and the training of the capacities with
which their Creator has endowed them.
lu comparing the status of public education in Georgia with that of
other States in the South, it is pleasant to escape the humiliation of being
at the bottom of the list in the matter of illiteracy, and in the inadequacy
of resources we have provided fort'what Thomas Jefferson called the “ cru
sade against ignorance ”; but we are too near the bottom of the list to
satisfy a just and worthy State pride, and it is regrettable (to say nothing
of negro illiteracy) to know that the white illiterates in Georgia exceed
the total aggregate white population of Atlanta, Savannah, and Augusta
combined. In contrasting the status iu Georgia with the expenditures for
i public education in the North and West, the partial self-congratulation of
the first comparison disappears in the tremendous advantage which those
States maintain." Elaborate statistics are wearisome, but it b well for
Georgians to ponder the facts suggested in a single condensed statement: *
t In schools in Georgia taught by teachers whose average salary is only
f 527.00 per month, we are teaching only 61 per cent, of the enrolled school
population; giving the children in actual attendance lass than six cents
worth of education per day for an average of only one hundred and
t welve days in the year. (In rural schools the average length of the school
term for each child enrolled is about 62 days ; and for each child of school
age the average is about 42 days.] Iu the State which gives most largely
to public education the productive wealth for each inhabitant is S2OO per
annum. In Georgia it is less than half of this sum.
How are these conditions to be improved? We believe that the people
of Georgia are both patriotic and intelligent enough to improve them, if
they are free to do so ; but they are not free. The resource for the better
ment of our inadequate educational system is in local taxation supplement
ing the general State fund; but the Constitution of 1877 abridges and
virtually denies to the people the right of local taxation. So many re
strictions are thrown around the procedure, so oppressive are the require
ments, so unequal are the terms of submission of the question to the peooie
that their hands are tied. Under the existing law the recommendations of
two Grand Juries must be obtained, and in the elections it is necessary t<!
the success of the local measure to secure two thirds of the qualified voters
c f the county. Ihe effect of this is to count against the measure all the
absent voters, all the voters providentially hindered from voting, and even
those who may have removed from the county but whose names appear on
the qualified list. The proposed amendment relieves the procedure of
these oppressive requirements, but it is important to note that the amend
ment is itself highly conservative in that it requires a two thirds majority
of the persons voting in the election. This amendment will be submitted
to the people at the next general election in October, 1904. We believe
that the people can be trusted ; most of ail, they can be trusted not to tax
themselves too heavily. The amendment in effect merely restores to tho
:people the right of local option in taxation.
In view of these plain propositions and the momentous importance of
the public interests involved, the educational conference held in Atlanta
as above stated makes, through the committee, the following declarations :
1. AV e appeal to the people to adopt the constitutional* amendment)
reclaiming for themselves the right of supplementary local taxation to be
exercised in those communities that desire it in accordance with the demo
cratic principle of home rule.
2. We declare ourselves in favor of advancement in our educational
system ; better training and payment of teachers; expert school supervi
sion; longer terms ; the consolidation (where practicable) of weak and scat,
tered schools into strong and more efficient organizations; the improvement
of schoolhouses and grounds.
3. Realizing the strong devotion of the women of the State to the
welfare of the children, we appeal to them to organize'School Improvement
Societies in every county and locality, and to aid by their influence in the
accomplishment of the objects outlined in this address.
4. We invoke the aid of the great agencies, the pulpit and the press ;
we recommend that the friends of the school hold educational rallies in all
the counties of the State, and we invite the cooperation of all good citizens
in this effort for the intellectual, industrial, and moral elevation of the
citizenship of the future.
WALTER B. HILlt
WARREN A. CANDLER, »
Committtee HOKE SMITH, W. B. MERRITT,
W. T. NORTHERN, M. L. DUGGAN.
A—OL
Song- of
C hri./’tm&eS
TWINE the bittersweet and holly
Arched above the hearthstone's
glow.
Joy, and not melancholy,
Came, indrifting with the snow.
In each face the frost's a-tingle.
And afar on flying wing
Comes the sleigh bells’ rhythmic jingle
Through December journeying.
V
Set the board and ask the blessing
For the bounty amply spread.
In the simplest words expressing
What a loving Father said —
“Peace on earth”—for this is nearest
When tlie snows with us abide.
And ihe winter air is clearest
In the hush of Christmastide.
SEND THE FAIREST DOWN THE MIDDLE.
Bring the old musician’s fiddle,
Relie of the bygone days;
Send the fairest down the middle
While the lilting music sways.
Light of foot and quick of laughter
Swing the dancers, toe and heel,
As they pass or follow after
In the quaint Virginia reel.
Make a welcome for the stranger,
■Should his footstep cross the door,
By the memory of tiio manger
And the Christ that was of yore;
Gather children’s faces round you,
As he-gathered them iong syne,
If it be the years have crowned you
With their radiance divine.
Deck the tree and light the candles,
Let the stockings all be hung,
For a saint with furry sandals
O’er the housetops high has swung.
And his reindeer steeds are prancing
Through the star bespangled rime,
And the moonbeams pale an- glancing
In the merry Christmas time.
—Woman's Home Companion.
A Christmas Curd Worth Millions.
The most expensive Christmas card
ever made was prepared by an English
firm in Calcutta some years ago for the
native ruler of Baroda. in the East In
dies, and intended as a gift for a Euro
pean lady of rank with whom the great
man was in love. This card was a
foot in length by ten inches in width
and of flawless ivory, to obtain which
over forty elephants were killed. Four
of the most skillful carvers to be found
were at work for six months on this
magnificent present. When it was fin
ished the eyesight of three of them
was injured and the fourth man be
came blind. The engraving and carv
ing they did were the representing of
10,000 of the stages of existence of
Buddha. The card was ornamented
around the edges, like a frame, with
forty-four diamonds of the purest wa
ter, and each the size of a hazelnut.
The cost was estimated at half a mil
lion pounds sterling. The lady never
got her present, for the potentate was
arrested for trying to poison the Eng
lish resident, and the card disappeared.
Scalloped Orstern.
The Christmas dinner should include
oysters. They may serve for an en
tree and are delicious scalloped or
baked in a pie with the giblets. This
is the way to prepare scalloped oysters:
riace in a shallow baking dish a layer
of oysters; over this spread a layer of
bread crumbs or crumbled crackers;
sprinkle it with salt, pepper and bits of
butter; alternate the layers until the
dish is full, having crumbs on top, well
dotted with bits of butter. Pour over
the whole enough oyster Juice to mois
ten it. Bake in a hot oven fifteen or
twenty minutes or until browned.
Serve in the same dish in which It is
baked. Individual scallop cups or
shells may also be used, enough for one
person being placed in each cup. Prop
erty prepared, it is an excellent dish. —
New York World.
To Cura A Cold In One Day.
Take Laxative Bromo Quinin Tab
lets. All druggists refund the money
ifit fails to cure. E. W. Grove’s signa
ture is on eacA box. 2Sc.
Jacobs’ Liquor Store.
•Save Money and Get Pure Whiskey.
There is a two fold reason for the phenomenal upbuilding of our Liquor
Department : highest qualities, lowest prices. When you send your whiskey
order to us you get It filled direct from the barrel in the original from the
distillery. Every Jacobs' Brand is a standard of excellence in itself. Then,
too. buying direct from the distillers, and in quantities that mean dozens to
smaller dealers, enables us toquote always a lower price on tlie.same article,
or give you a better article for the same money. Write for our liquor cata
logue. it lists both domestic and foreign brands—it's free for the asking.
RYE WHISKIES.
H. 0. Wise Private .Stock Rijo, a pure Pennsylvania whiskey, aged in
wood for six years, especially recommended as a stimulant for medical and
family use. Quarts SI.OO. gallon jugs 53,50.
Jacobs' Monogram Rye Whiskey, a very superior, double copper distilled
Whiskey, from selected home grown rye with mountain spring water, and Is
distinguished for its absolute purity. Eight years old. Quarts sl.2a, gallon
jugs $4.00. r
Rob Roy Rye. This whiskey is pure, copper distilled! four years old, ab
solutely pure and well adapted l’or general use where' an absolutely pure
article is desired. Quarts 75c, gallon jugs $2.50.
Jacobs’ Velvet Rye No. 6, three years old, aged in wood, and is a very good
whiskey for the price. Quarts 00c, gallon jugs $2.25,
“XXXX” Mononyehela Rye, two years old, and is without doubt the best
whiskey to be obtained for the price. Quarts 50c, gallon jugs ?2.00.
“AA” Rye. This whiskey is one yearold. and while pure, is of a low
proof. The same goods sold by many for $2.00 per gallon, Gallons $1.50. Not
less than half gallon sold
CORN WHISKIES. -I*
Jacobs’ Private Stock Corn Whiskey. This wo believe to be the best Corn
I Whiskey sold in this market. Six years old and absolutely pure, made in the
good old fashion way. Quarts SI.OO, gallon jugs $3.50.
Uncle Remus Corn Whiskey, a splendid stimulant and especially adapted
! . for medical use. Four years old. Quarts 75c, gallon Jugs $2.50.
Golden Shucks Corn Whiskey ( three years old, yellow corn, absolutely
pure; quarts 05c. gallon jugs $2.35.
hickory Nut Mountain Corn Whiskey, pure white corn, made from sc
j lected grain in the old fashion way. two years old. Quarts floe, gal. mgs $2.
I Jacobs’Sweet Mash Corn Whiskey. If you are partial to sweet line li you
1 will Hud this a perfect whiskey, one thal jam will be well pleased with Quarts
l 75c, gallon jugs $2.75. .
I Rabbit Foot Corn Whiskey, two-year-old yellow corn, made from well
I selected grain over open wood (ires, aged In wood; quarts 50c, gal jug.- $2. no
Jacobs’ hand Made Corn Wliiskeu, one year old, pure but low pa., r eni-
I lon jugs $1.50. Not less than half gallon sold.
I Virginia Apple Brandy, a very excellent, article quarts SI,OO, gal’on
I Georgia Apple Brandy, a good, pure article; quarts 75c. gallon p ; g,s $2.50.
Maryland Peach Brandy, eight years old. a very fine irricit ami of great
| medicinal value; quartssl.oo, gallon jugs $3.50. f ,
I Georgia Peach Brandy, quarts 75c, gallon jugs $2.50.
Old Holland Gin, domestic, quarts 50c, gallon jugs $1 so. <•
Old Tom Gin, domestic, quarts 7ftc, gallon jugs $2 50.
Tom Gat Gin,quartssl.oo, gallon jugs $3.50.
Old Boston Molasses Rum, quartshoc. gallon jugs $2.00.
I I Old Medford Rum, white, quarts 75c, gallon jugs 82.7 . • *
•Superior Quality Jamaica Rum, quartssl,oo, gallon jugs $3.50.
1 1 California Winns.
I ft Our Domestic Wines ore purchased in cor load lots
If direct from the California Wine Browers’ As-.ooiui ion.
SB and on account of the large purchase- we ere a file to
SB secure the lowest price coie's-iun.- and get the very lies;,
if its quality of wines. The ones quoted neiow are. of a'sup.;
jr'“v rior quality, two years old line lluvot and well adapted
for medicinal, table and family use
£ ;u '
jp*Jacobs’ Pharmacy,
\ LIQUOR DEPARTMENT, \
: ’W/ ( A*^— Atlanta, Ga.
BII3S£IISL—
HUNTER PEHRG&ABffi
Cotton FactorflMs|
Over 30 Yea^
Expert Haulers ofiEp
Sea Islapd
As Well as HBfl
3Hot\eVj
On ApprJ
>
Sea Inland : ■HH
Ciotti,
126 Hast Bay Sire‘■BBBB6IBI
. Thornton!
WHEN YOU GO TCJ
be sure to stop atdhe Thojfl
Bav street. A
and good service at 2>c :mKm
P/1 RS H. M
BRUNsmMM