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THE AMERICUS WEEKLY TIMESRECORDER. FRIDAY. APRIL 10.
THE TIMES-RECORDER they now seek to avoid responsibility.
DAILY AND WEEKLY
Til© Amerlcus Recorder, Established
1879.
The Amerlcus Times. Established 1890
Consolidated April, 189L
Entered at the postoffice at Amerl-
cus as second-class mail matter.
THOMAS GAMBLE. JR.,
Editor and Manager.
C. W. CORNFORTH,
Associate Editor and Assistant
Manager.
a. W. FURLOW, City Editor.
,W. L. DUPREE.
Assistant Business Dept
Editorial Room Telephone 99.
The Tlmcs-Rccordcr Is the
OlBclal Organ ot the City ot Amerlcus
Official Organ ot Sumter County.
Official Organ ot Webster County.
Official Organ ot Railroad Commis
sion ot Georgia tor the 3rd Congres
sional District
SUBSCRIPTION RATES:
Dally,, one. year.. 36.00
Daily, one month 50c
Weekly, one year 31-00
Weekly, six months 50c
Address all letters and make remit
tance payable to
THE TIMES-RECORDER.
Amerlcus, Oa,
Amerlcus, Ga., April 10th, 190S.
Senator Tillman Is going to Europe
tor a rest. The Senate will get a
rest at the same time.
Now that Judge Speer has left Sav
annah the blind tigers down there
nre breathing more freely.
Over in Alabama the little girls
are kissing the future Governor. How
about Hobsonizlng Hoke and Joe?
Since the old fiddlers’ contest pro
moters "did” Valdosta, the question
over there Is as to who is "going to
pay the fiddler.”
How about Crisp? The Cordele
Rambler says that the Joe Brown men
are claiming that county by a vote
of two to one.
No more whiskey can be shipped to
fictitious parties. The real name of
the consignee must go with the goods.
This Is a hard shot at the deacons.
“There Is no doubt there are a good
many of them” Is what the Albany
Herald says when it speaks of the
Brown men. But the Herald Insists
that there are not enough for the
purpose.
Prohibition facts la Georgia are to
be collected and published by an At
lanta committee. Will they make
known the number of bottles and
jugs imported from other states since
January 1?
A red hot campaign is beln? waged
in Lowndes county between the Smith
and Brown forces, according to the
.Valdosta Times. The Times says the
governor’s friends are afraid the coun
ty will slip away from him.
As a partial punishment for their
misdeeds the courts should refuse to
annul the marriage of Harry and Eve
lyn Thaw. Neither of them has the
moral right to marry again, and the
legal right should be refused two
such perverts.
“legalized prostitution” is the
Tough way in which a New York pa
per refers to the sale of American
girtc and dollars to foreign titles.
While the expression Is harsh the
divorce proceedings that come later
seem to justify It
In one cotton mill at Griffin, where
Hoke Smith got 90 votes, nearly every
/voter employed there voting for him,
‘a Joe Brown Club has been organized
with every operative a member. The
reason given Is that Hoke promised
prosperity and reduced them from a
six day week to four days.
It Is proposed by the Macon News
to raise revenue by imposing an ex
port duty on American heiresses.
When Frenchmen can swap a straw
title for American millions, It is time
for deep consideration. The' fact that
there are no real titleB In France
seems to be overlooked by at least
on rich woman.
Gov. Smith is not the party referred
to by the Hindoo brahmin as the one
who made two blades .of grass grow
where one grew before,’ He cime Into
office at the behest of a happy and
busy people. One year’s reign finds
thousands of railroad employes out of
• job, factorise cutting down -fores or
working four days In the/week as at
Griffin, and industry languishing. Of
coarse he didn’t do It all. That would
be u, flatter. But ho jumped on indus
try with both feet'at a time when It
needed assistance from the state,
rather than antagonism. .
One might judge from the speech which Chairman McLendon failed to
deliver at Marietta, but which was given to the press for publication sub
sequently, that tne railroad commission under his management had been
as harmless to invested Interests as a cooing dove, or a three months’ old
iamb. Instead of harrassing, hampering, annoying, worrying and threaten
ing capital In every corporate form. Chairman McLendon would have the
public believe that he has been the dearest, warmest, most affectionate and
most considerate friend the transportation companies and other corporations
operating In’ Georgia have ever had or are ever likely to have.
While the thinking public Is apt to do its own thinking on this line, It Is
refreshing to note that the chairman of the railroad commission really
finds that the decrease In the gross and net earnings of the railroads Is
"somewhat alarming.” It has been not many weeks ago since he, or the
Governor, an! when one speaks It means both, were holding forth that
lailroads were only entitled to five per cent on their actual valution. The
railroads this year would be extremely'glad to have five per cent, or any
other per cent, that would keep them out of the hands of receivers. Unfor
tunately, though, while Messrs Smith and McLendon would limit the returns
on incorporated capital to five per cent. In good years they have signally
failed to make any provision for any per centage of net earnings In off
years, such as the present. Their past utterances along this line are being
condemned by the course of irrefutable events. Probably they would now
deny ever uttering them, as other wild utterances have been denied In the
past.
McLendon says “It is a time when foolish men should be silent.” No
one accuses the chairman of the commission of being foolish, but there are
many, many thousands of men throughout Georgia who would add to this
utterance the belief that "This is a time when incendiary politicians and
demagogues should keep silent.” But It is too much to hope that their
enforced silence can be brought about to aid in the ttpeedy return of pros
perity. ’ . ,
Chairman McLendon absolutely denies that the governor or the com
mission are In anywise responsible for the existing business conditions
in Georgia. Gov. Smith and Chairman McLendon have been trying to dodge
responsibility for the results of their crusade against capital for several
months past. The crusade was fine as long as the crowds were throwing
up their hats and hurrahing, as long as the governorship and the United
States Senatorshlp were In sight as the prizes, but now that the fanners
are complaining, now that the mechanics are suffering, now that the mer
chants in the country and the merchants in the city are doing so greatly a
decreased business, now that the traveling men are being laid oft or are
sending in but small orders, the crusade against the rail-roads, against all
other forms of Incorporated capital performing quasi-public services does
not look so a luring, nor so beautiful In Us promises, as It did a year or
so ago.
How can Messrs. Smith end McLendon escape responsibility for their
share in bringing about the unfortunate state of affairs of today!
Did not Gov. Smith go from one end of the state to the other threaten
ing to cut down the freight revenues of the railroads in Geqrgla by mil
lions of dollars a year, did he not threaten to put them on a two cent
mileage basis, regardless of I he sllmly populated districts they operate In,
did he not lead the public generaUy to believe that the commission would
handle the railroads and other public corporations with a rough hand, make
them run trains whether they paid Or not, make them give a service that
satisfied the commission, no matter if it put them In the hands of receivers
or not? Now comes Chairman McLendon and says: “The commission has
made no change in what the old- commission had done.” If this is so why
lias It sought to steal credit lrom Joe Brown and the old commission? And
even If so, does not relieve it from responslbllty for the fears aroused? for
the confidence destroyed, for the capital driven from the state, for the
paralysis ot business energy brought about, for . the projects destroyed,
such as tbe proposed lnterurban railroad from Macon through Amerlcus
to Albany?
Governor Smith and Chairman McLendon cannot escape responsibility
for their share In tbe depression that haa been on. In business. They are
doing their best to dodge it But tbe fact that they recognize that the public
holds them to It Is shown In the claims that “precedent” should not be
broken, that "precedent” entitles Gov. Smith to a second term no matter
whether ruin to the Industrial and business life of the state Is the result or
not, and that it Is an outrage not to give him a second term without oppo
sition.
People generally sow what they have reaped. Gov. Smith In hla cam
paign sowed tbe seeds of race discord and of race hatred, he sowed tbe
seeds ot antagonism to transportation corporations and to capital used in
any semi-public capacity, he sowed the seeds of* business distrust and
anxiety, he sowed the seeds that speedily brought forth a noxious croR of
threats that drove capital under cover and set the state backward instead
of forward, tmt checked development, that stopped every public enterprise
having for its purpose the building up of the state—and yet he and his
chairman now Insist that they shall in now)se be held responsible for the
part played In bringing about these disastrous results.
THE SIN OF INGRATITUDE.
“Of all the sins that men commit, “none, In my opinion, Is so ,
great as ngratitude, though some think pride a greater; and I
ground my assertion on this, that hell is said to be full ot tbe ungrate
ful.”—Dor. Quixote to hlB squire, Sancho Punza.
Ingratitude Is the most rcpcllant of all the vices of a human being. To
< verlook that which Is due to one who has put us under obligation Is to
Invite tbe contempt ot the individual and the scorn ot all right minded
men. To deliberately thrust aside the sense of past favors, no matter how
great they may have been; to. Ignore the claims that rest upon us through
the acceptance of favors that at the time may have meant much. Is to
reduce one to the level of the beast that takes meat from the band and then
bites and rends the giver. •
Ingratitude is by no means an uncommon trait of character. Instances
of It are met with frequently. Each time there is a feeling of disgust aroused
that a human being should sink his nature so low as to forget tUq kind
nesses that may have been showered on him, the helping hand that may hare
been stretched out to him In his time of dire need, the assistance but tor
which ruin and desolation might have become his fate.
Ingratitude Is the lowest and most despicable form ot selfishness. It
tells unmistakably to the world that the man or woman guilty of it thinks
of nothing but self, is entirely lost to all sense of duty to others, is un
mindful of the ordinary dictates of decency. It convlots at once, without
additional evidence, and establishes otlei-potttloa ok a* cfialure ot base
principles, unworthy of the trust' and confidence, t Semite tinadd ejection, of
men with whom higher motives have sway.
Gratitude'- always awakens approval and admiration. Often the expres
sion Is heat’d, "Wen,-he had ,bne ,good quality, he was thankful for what
others did for him.” There is an open, spontaneous appreciation of-this
commendable trait, just as there U quickly expressed hatred of Its opposite,
.last as Ingratitude breeds a number of other vices In the man who has
permitted It io monopolize his eouI, so gratitude tends to broaden and devel
op character. The man whose heart Is grateful Is apt to be a man with
compassion lu his nature, with tender sentiments toward others, with
deBire to help as he has been helped, to lift as he may have been lifted, tb
give others reason to feel grateful to him as he has had reason to be
grateful to others. The grateful man is seldom hide-bound, cold and indif
ferent to others. The ungrateful man, on the other hand, Is apt to be a
mercenary, heartless schemer, thinking, of the promotion of his own inter
ests solely, callous to the needs, the interests, or the rights of others. His
very ingratitu.le toward hts fellow men sears his conscience, deadens his
soul, makes him a man marked among men for his meapness of disposition,
his lack of the milk of human kindness.
Don’t be ungrateful, evea for the slightest kindness and favors that
may be extended to you. Cultivate the trait of gratitude. It will mellow
jour character, sweeten your temper, bring sunshine to your life and to tbe
tt\es of others. It Is an element of character of supreme Importance. Don’t
go through life and down into the grave justly deserving the epithet so
pften applied: "He was an ungrateful hound.” T.- G.
DOST SAY “BOO” AT HOKE
Like the ghost of Banquo, the ‘
Ing” of Commissioner Joseph
Brown pursues Gov. Smith. In an
other desperate effort to shake off
the nemesis, Gov. Smith, in ‘
paper,” has given a very labored ex
planation of the event in which that
mysterious letter figures as the main
spring. Perhaps it occurred to the
Governor that as Mr. Brown had not
as yet divulged the awful contents of
that letter, Mr. Brown perhaps would
not, thus leaving the present incum
bent with one weapon which might
possibly be' loaded. Most of the
others have been blank cartridges or
boomerangs.
Even at this late day, after the
letter had become a matter of ancient
history, the Atlanta Journal says, on
Tuesday: “It Is difficult to speak of
such a course in restrained and tem
perate language. A member of the
administration, occupying a seat on
the railroad commission, which was
charged with vital responsibilities,
sitting every day almost within ear
shot of the governor, to whom he
might have personal access for pro
per discussions at any moment, in
sinuated into the private office of the
governor a letter which under
rational construction on earth could
be regarded as anything but a threat
or a bribe on the one hand, or child
ish folly on the other.”
The author of this remarkable edi
torial, which represents a newspaper
corporation as being moved to fits
ot anger and indignation about
matter with which the newspaper
was not Itself personally concerned,
was evidently the Governor himself.
The article is an apology for the
dismissal of Comissloner Brown such
as Governor Smith would be expected
to use.
A little further the Journal says
“If there Is any man in the state ot
Georgia with red blood In his veins
who would have sat silent under the
threat or bribe, such a man must en
tertain a conception ot manliness and
character which Is by no means in
keep ing with the requirements of
the high office occupied by the chief
executive ot the state.”
’ Please don’t anybody say “boo” at
our Governor. He Just won’t stand
for It.
FEW ARRESTS WITHOUT SALOONS
An eloquent story of the blessings
from the closing ot the saloons in
Amerlcus Is told by the police sta
tistics for the first three months un
der prohibition. A total ot 12 ar
rests was made during tbe period,
or an average ot 4 per month, all for
drunkenness.
While the exact figures are not at
hand for the same period of 1907, po
lice officials say that the arrests were
lot less than 300, chiefly drunks. And
If there has been any difference In
the vigilance ot the police t lu the
past three months It Is toward
even greater strictness In enforcing
the law against drunks.
This Is a splendid record for Am
erlcus and recommends it as a de
sirable residence city. One offender
a week for a city ot 12,000 is
showing to be proud of.
The only disappointment arising
from the closing of the saloons is
the loss of the license revenue. But
when it is considered that this tax
really came out of the consumer of
spirituous liquors, and that the same
money spent in legitimate lines ot
trade yields a much larger per cent
for labor and materials, It Is seen
that the consumers will spend their
money for that which benefits them,
Instead of decreasing their power as
wealth producers, -and thus add doub
ly to taxable values.
While tbe loss of the revenue at
the first of the year will cramp the
city for a time, the Increase in busi
ness in other lines of Industry will
soon make good the lose of the sa
loon license, and when that is done,
succeeding years will Increase the
prosperity, . , '
As former members of the “smile
club” get farther and farther away
from their old habits, the amount of
liquors consumed will be reduced, un
til tbe number of arrests will drop
to almost nothing, and tbe city bas-
tUe will be one of tbe lonesomest
spots in the whole city.
SHIPMENTS OF LIQUORS
A measure designed to protect pro
hibition states from shipments of li
quor from outside states, so -far as the
same can be done constitutionally, has
has been prepared by the: Senate
committee on Judiciary, and will be
presented by Senator Knox, The bill
provides that there shall be no “col
lect on delivery” packages of liquor
shipped in Interstate commerce, and
that the name of the consignor and
consignor shall be marked on the
package and that no fictitious names
shall be used. 1
Numerous bills were before tbe sub
committee to prevent the shipment of
liquors into dry states, but all except
the one to be reported was held un
constitutional. Senator Bacon Is a
member ot this committee, and has
been active In the efforts to get i
bill which will overcome the constitu
tional objections.
The great complaint about prohibi
tion in Georgia is that cities in neigh
boring states are able to send in in
toxicating liquors under protection of
the interstate commerce decision.
While the prohibtionists will be far
from satisfied' with the enactment -of
the bill, it will be regarded as a step
in the right direction.
While a part of the shipments are
sent collect, the number of money or
ders issued in Georgia towns and cit
ies in favor of whiskey houses is an
indication that the bill in question
would not cut any great figure in
furnishing the protection sought.
As to the provision that bogus ad
dresses cannot be used, that would
be of some service in the larger cit
ies, though- the state courts have In
some Instances broken up this "light
ning express” scheme. With the hooks
of the internal revenue department to
locate holders of an Internal revnue
and with the Federal government to
aid In suppressing the illicit vendors,
little change would probably be af
fected by the enactment of the latter
clause ot the bill.
ASSESSMENTS OF CANDIDATES
Candidates for county offices are
silently protesting and jUBtly It ap
pears—over the Indisposition of the
Executive Committee to come- to
their relief In the matter of refunding
tbe balance of the sums assessed for
the primary above actual expenses.
It now appears that more than
3500 will be collected on the original
assessment, while 3200 will pay all
expenses of the primary. Instead of
returning the balance, prorated among
the candidates. It is proposed to re
tain the excess for use at the June
primaries.
This is a plain case of taking from
Peter to pay Paul. A further aggra
vation Is that tbe candidates for small
offices should be compelled to- pay the
expenses for a primary where salaries
and honors many times greater are
at stake.
It was in tbe first place an error of
judgment as afterwards transpired, to
put the county assessment so high.
This was however an excusable mis
take, as a larger number ot candidates
entered than was expected. But It Is
an Inexcusable mistake to retuso to
rectify the blunder.
Tbe money was assessed for a spe
cific purpose. There Is not even,
the shadow of right in forcing candi
dates for county offices to pay for thti
June primary. It Is not their fight
and they should not be expected to
contribute to the coffers of candidates
whose emoluments are princely as
compared with, the pay of county offi
cers.
In all fairness the unexpended bal
ance should be returned to the men
who contributed It.
WHAT WILL THE POPULISTS DO!
The Populists havd nominated Hon.
Thomas E. Watson as their candidate
for President. The convention. at
which his name was pinned to the
masthead, was conspicuous for the
bolt of the Nebraska -delegates be
cause they wanted Bryan nominated,
and by the bolt of the Minnesota del
egation because they wanted the
convention to wait to see what was
going to happen tp Bryan at Denver.
If Watson accepts,—and It It gener
ality conceded that he will—It means
It Is improbable that he will try to
ride in the Democratic wagon | Q
Georgia at the coming primary, it
Is sure that he Is not for Gov. Smith,
and It Is hardly likely that he will
publicly declare for Joe Brown.
All of which tends to complicate the
situation In Georgia, where the Popu
lists have for the last few years been
voting with the -Democrats, on Invita
tion, It might be added. Whether they
will vote In the coming Democratic
primary and decide later as to their
real allegiance, or. will remain out
side altogether, Is the question.
It is reasonably sure the Populists
of Georgia will follow the lead, al
most unanimously, of Tom Watson in
opposing Gov. Smith, This would cut
off perhaps 30,000 from the last
Smith vote, leaving him with a bare
majority over his four opponents at
the last primary. With the decima
tion in hfs ranks from other sources,
the Governor will be hard pressed
to hold his own. His only chance is
to round up some of those who voted
for his opponents At the last primary.
The defection of the Populists car
ries away his majority. Can he hold
his former supporters in line? And
will Joe Brown be able to corral the
bulk of those who voted for Howell,
Estlll, Russell and James Smith? Upon
the answer to these two questions, the
Governorship next time depends.
"Little Joe, the poor man’s friend,”
Is the way the Athens Banner size3
him up. No greater compliment need
be paid Joe Brown.
Macon has a new boat for the, Oc-
mulgee. Tbe Macon papers are al
ready using tbe vernacular which
ordinarily goes with sea going ves
sels. The News says “New Liner will
glide Into the Ocmulgee.” It Is to be
hoped that the ocean liners In the
harbor will not slip their cables by
reason of the splash.
Meat continues to go up. It is now
In order for the Bureau of Statistics
at Washington to issue another report
showing that the cost of living has
gone down.
MARRIAGE AT HOME IS
QUITE A PRETTY ONE
Uniting Miss Ray and Mr.
Henry D. Foote, Jr.
The marriage of Miss Jeanette Ray
and Mr. Henry D. Foote, Jr., was
soemnlzed Wednesday at p. m. o'clock
and while a quiet home wedlng social
Amerlcus has rarely witnessed one
more impressive and beautiful In
every detail.
No Invitations were sent out, and
only relatives and Immediate friends
witnessed this plighting of the troth
which loses to Amerlcus one of her
most charming young women who
thug goes forth a bride.
The rites were solemnized at the
lovely suburban residence of the
bride’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Nell A
Ray, and never did beautiful young
bride and handsome groom begin the
voyage of life together under happier
or brighter auspices.
The parlors and reception hall
were rendered most attractive in their
decorations, spring flowers being
used In profusion In the color scheme
of pink-and white. -
Just before the bridal party enter
ed the parlor Miss Chloe Littlejohn
sang very sweetly “Oh Promise Me.”
Prof. E. Hamilton McNeill rendered
Lohengrin’s immortal wedding march
as the coming ot the bride was an
nounced.
Accompanied by her sister. Miss
Sarah Ray, as maid of honor, tbe
bride entered the parlor Where the
groom and his best man, Mr. J. L
Bennett, were In, waiting.
The bride wore a superb gown of
white mouselllne over white satin,
made princess, and carried brlut
roses. Tbe maid of honor wore an
attractive costume of white French
batiste, trimmed with lace, and car
ried pink carnations.
Rev. J. B. Johnstone received the
vows of the-handsome couple, tbe
ceremony being beautiful In ita brev
ity and deep impressiveness.
After congratulations had been
showered upon the radiantly happy
couple an elegant buffet luncheon
was served In the prettily appointed
dining room. At 10 o’clock Mr. and
Mrs. Foote left for Columbus, Miss.,
where they will visit relatives.
Later, they will go to the pretty
home awaiting them at Gulf Port,
Miss.
Many beautiful and costly gifts
In gold, silver and cut glass attested
the esteem In which the bride and
groom are held.
Among the out-of-town guests at
tending the wedding were Mr. George
Foote and Mrs. D. H. Allen, of Ma
con, Miss.; brother and sister of the
groom;,Mrs. D. H. Jenkins and Miss
Mabel Jenkins of Griffin, Os., rela
tives of the bride; Mr. J. L, Bennett,
and others.
The bride’s going away costume
was a handsome gown of brown
cloth, with hat to match. ^