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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