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THE AMERICUS WEEKLY TIMES-RECORDER. FRIDAY. IUNE 26 1908.
THt TIMES-RECORDER
daily and weekly
pnuerlcut Recorder, Established
Amerlcus Time*, Established 1820
Oor.fc.Mated April, 1821.
EBleifd at the postofflce at Ameri
cas as second-class mail matter.
THOMAS GAMBLE. JR.,
Editor and Manager.
C W. CORNFORTH,
Associate Editor and Assistant
Manager.
3. W. FURLOW, City Editor.
JP. h. DUPREE,
Assistant Business Dept
Editorial Room Telephone 22.
The Tlmes-Recorder Is the
social Organ of the City of Amerlcus
Social Organ of Sumter County.
Official Organ of Webster County.
Official Organ of Railroad Commis
sion of Georgia for the 3rd Congres
sional District
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THE TIMES-RECORDER,
Amerlcus, Gt
GO SLOWLY IN CHANGING THE CONVICT SYSTEM
We canno: join in a hue and cry against the Georgia convict system.
Convicts are tut angels, they are not to be treated as such, and they have
no right to expect to be pampered and cared for better than the majority
of the hard working honest laborers of the state. There is such a thing
as sentimentality getting the better of us in considering this convict
question, ami we must resist the efforts of well inteutioned, but probably
misguided people, to lead us Into an imitation of the penitentiary system
cl some of the northern and western states.
We cannot see how it would benefit a. convict, white or black, to take
him away from the turpentine farm, or the lumber mill, and pen him up
behind stone walls, incarcerate him In a small iron grated cell, and keep
him there largely at the expense of the people of Georgia. He has com
mitted crime, he has been an expense to the state, and we fail to see why
his punishment should also be the means, of entailing further and contin
uous expense upon the public. Penned up in a prison he will not be self-
supporting, let alone bringing any revenue to the state. And in all likeli
hood Ms condition, morally, physically and mentally, would not be as good
as working in the open air under the lease system.
There may be, doubtless are, defects in the lease system. But it does
seem that they could be remedied without depriving the state of the large
sum now received from the convicts and in its place substituting a heavy-
additional burden upon an already severely taxed people. Convicts should
be treated humanely, they should be clothed properly, cared for in health
and in sickness, they should he watched over to prevent any brutaJRy to
ward them, but we fail to see why they should he made the special objects
oi loving attention when all ever the state there are thousands of men and
women and children who are probably not as well fed or ns well cared for,
and who have lead honest and moral lives.
There is probably no way of arriving at the facts, but we doubt very-
much if there are any more conversions to an honest livelihood among the
prisoners of the northern pentitentiaries than among those leased out under
the Georgia system*- It is no more degrading for a convict to work around
a saw mill, or on a turpentine farm, or, in the case of the most desperate
characters, in a coal mine, than to be locked up in a cell in a great stone
prison, with a twenty foot wall and armed guards on top of It. Go into
any of the northern penitentiaries and they will point out this man and
that man who is serving his second or third or fourth term, and some who
have been there so many terms that the greater part of their lives have
been passed in stripes behind the bars. This would not seem to indicate
that from the moral standpoint the prison is any better than the lease
.system. And it remains to he proved that life in the close vitiated air of a
prison is better than life In the open air of the coHntry of Georgia.
This is not a question to be pushed through the legislature on a wave
ot reform sentimentalism. The lease system may not he angelic, but
neither Are the convicts. The state gets a large revnue from them. It Is
all rot to talk of "blood money” In this connection. If the state derives
$250,000' from the convicts under the present system why should it turn
around, cut itself away from It, and extort another $250,000 as blood money
from the honest tax payers of the state to satisfy people who imagine that
the penitentiary prison is belter for convicts than the lease system
The "Stars and Stripes" is the old- i Throw eveiy protection that is necessary around the lease sys an, see
cst flag that floats. It Is 135 years old that a constant and proper inspector is kept up over It, have aws a
and no other nation of today floats | , h any overseer or lessee treating a convict improperly, but
the same ensign that It did that long ■ . c ' gete tw0 0 r three thousand convicts into a-big stone prison,
impose a great burden of expense on the people of Georgia, and call it a
progressive step, a humanitarian movement, for in all likelihood it is noth-
ing'of the sort. ' ■
GEORGIA ACTED TOO LATE
Amerlcus, Ga„ June 26.
Teddy- certainly
(goods-
delivered the
Another bqnk for Amerlcus simply
attests that Amerlcus is going for
ward.
Ft-.e indictments have been returned
against the American Ice Company, in
Kew York. This looks like a cold deal.
Drownings this season are unus-
ufly numerous. Up to the close of
1st week 123 persons had lost their
lives in the water.
One benefit of Taft's nomination
-WSU be the diminution of the impor
tance of Roosevelt in the public eye.
Be was getting real tedious.
Georgia acted toy late'. It has selected M strong delegation to Denver,
headed by the brilliant Meldrlm, and sent its representatives to the national
convention unhampered In the slightest by Instructions. All they'are charged*
to do is to seek to advance the interests of the party.
But, as we stated in the beginning, this commendable action has probably
come too late, if Georgia's state convention had met sixty, or even thirty?
days ago, its influence on national affairs would have been tremendous. The
mere fact that the Empire State of the South had deliberately set its face
against instructed delegations and sent a picked body of men to Denver
to w-ork solely for the Interests of Democracy and not for the Interests of
any one special individual would haye infused new hope and new courage
and a new spirit of independence into Democracy throughout the South and
the nation at large. Other Southern states would undoubtedly have follow
ed Its example, Northern States would have taken on new interest in the
national situation, and the complexion at Denver would have been entirely
different from what it now appears to be.
There is, of course, no use in crying over spilled milk, over lost oppor
tunities, but when we think how Georgia might have turned the party Into
new channels, how it might have put it on the highway- to a glorious victory
in November, how it might have been the agent for altering the political
history of the land, we cannot repress the feeling of deep regret that this
state could not have acted some time ago and let the great weight of its
influence stand for a virile, strenuous, jubilant, and triumphant democracy
instead of a party that seems hound to the chariot-of. one man, and as
the best judges now view It, .doomed to another inglorious defeat
Bui it is well, even as it is, that Georgia has spoken in no uncertain
tones. It is barely possible yet that it may he able to wield an influence at
Denver- that will result In a platform that will appeal to the hilslness saga
city, the irresistible common sense, of the people. There seems to be no
possibility of a fresh candidate being put before the voters of the country,
of a man being nominated for president who will appeal to the calm, think
ing, conservative elements of the North and East, hut it is not impossible
for Georgia to so assert itself in- committee, deliberations and on the flood*
of the convention that it will win new fame as the home of pure Democracy
us well as the abode of sane and safe statesmen and of a people whose slo
gan Is “Wisdom, Justice and Moderation.”
RAILROAD ACTIVITY RETURNING IN GEORGIA.
ago.
"They cheered for the man they
vaulted and nominated the man they
didn't want.” That is the way a lot
oi Democratic papers look at the
republican convention.
Determined not to be outdone by
Bs rivals, the Atlanta Journal also
publishes a letter from a subscriber
mho had been taking the , but
cam it out to take the Journal..
The Columbus Enquirer-Sun , says
of Amerlcus and the new bank. "Who's
afraid? boasLs Amerlcus, and straight-
may turns around and organizes a
132,000 bank. Good fbr Amerlcus."
Sherman, the Republican candidate
Car rice-president, Is said to be com
fortably supplied with this world’s
goods. Catch a Republican politician
who hasn’t got his pile. They are not
da the game for their health.
Buncombe county, North Carolina,
*ptn got into prominence when It
pm a larger proportionate majority
rnr Prohibition than any other county
In the state. “Talking for Bun-
•onthe" will take on a new meau-
3ng.
Wanted, a cotton faetbry for Am
■ricus. Who will start this move
ment f There Is plenty of capital here
and a company should be organized
3d begin operations in the fall when
business conditions will be ripe for
success. *
rite brother in black cannot make
WJ, his Blind whether he got a swift
Well or not. The Republicans nomi-
ireost Taft but they stood for the last
Shree amendments to the Constitu
tion and reiterated that they are the
.party of Abe Lincoln.
TAFT VERSUS BllYAN
rhe recount in New York City prom-
%es to show not over seven huudred
uufea changed to Hearst. This is a
mere bagatelle in counting so enor
mous a number of votes. It shows
Ahat his claims of tremendous frauds
re the count were unjustified. Hearst,
outside of his papers,* is a political
corpse.
Thos W. Lawson, has broken into
.print again, having taken advantage
the convention period. He now
proposes that if Mr, Bryaa will let
Gosr. Johnson head the ticket, while
Bryan accepts the second place, I-aw-
npn wfll raise a half million to defray
A* campaign expenses, or will even
it a million if necessary. That's
oarot those bluffs which can be work
ed with the sure knowledge that It
cannot be called.
Taft will head the Republican ticket, Bryan the Democratic ticket. That
lias been the trend of political developments for months past and all doubts
have been removed. Taft Is the practically unanimous choice of his party,
and at Denver Bryan will control the situation.
What are the chances of success? Candidly speaking conditions seem
to favor the election of Taft. He has an organization behind him that Is
willing to sink personal Interests and personal differences for the time
being and concentrate its energies toward one end, the victory of the party.
On the other hand the Democratic party continues largely a split up or
ganization. The troubles In the ranks of the opposition will be mended
rpeedily, those In the ranks of democracy seem Irreconcilable. There Is a
large body of anti-Bryan democrats In the North and East who have refused
to support him In the past and who, to all appearances, will refuse to sup
port him now. Some of the leading Democratic papers of those sections
will glv.e him either e lukewarm support, turn against him entirely, or
practically assufae a dont-care attitude during the campaign.
The Republicans go into the fight feeling that they have nominated a
winner. We regret that as much cannot be said of our own party. The
feeling that Bryan cannot win to strong In the ranks of Democracy and that
alone Is sufficient to do him incalculable damage.
* Yet there are not absent those who believe that Bryan has a better
chance of winning today tba.i in either of his previous two fights. There Is
a considerable opposition to the Rooseveltian policies in business circles,
- nd although Taft Is recognized as a decidedly, more conservative man
than the president, the fear that he will seek to emulate the present occu
pant of the White House is calculated to drive away a substantial support.
This might ba the case if ‘.he Democrats had a conservative In the field,
hut exactly how voters having such sentiments could turn to Bryan it Is
difficult to see. Outsldc.of this there is the alleged great disaffection among
the negro republicans in th_* north and middle west. In some of these
states the negroes undoubtedly hold the balance of political power. It Is
barely possible that they may be Induced to throw it to Bryan, to revenge
themselves upon Roosevelt and Taft for the Brownsville Incident But
inasmuch as, the Democratic party endorsed the president's action In tha
case, and Bryan Is hardly apt to offend the South by taking another course,
the claims of negro support for Bryan hardly seem to have any reasonable
basis for them. Whet*, election day comes, outside of a few of the more
disgruntled, it is safe to say the mass of negroes will vote for Taft.
Naturally we would like to see Bryan, on any other Democrat, win. It
is to be regretted that the outlook docs not seem to point that way. Bryan
will doubtless get the solid South, he may pick up one or two states that he
did not capture eight or twelve years ago, but where he Is going to get
enough to win. with no political prophets are at present able to see. We
can only live on In hope, giving him a rousing vote In Georgia, and feel
that If we don't win this time perhaps we can win four years hence.
Last November, when che depression was on the country like a great
black cloud, Bryan might have won. But it will just be Republican luek
to have things changed before the coming November, to have business
starting up everywhere with new vim and vigor. Then the feeling that
It Is better to “let well enough alone” Is sure to have a tremendous moral
effect on voters, especially It the Eastern states, and returning prosperity
will redound to the enormous advantage of Taft.
At Savannah, the Centra^ railroad shops have gone on full time and
with a full force again. At Macon there is also a decided improvement In
the situation in railroad circles, and at various other points in the
state It is noticeable that there Is a greater demand for labor along the
railroads, common as well as skilled workmen being more In request.
Two things have combined to bring this about. One the trend of
traffic to show* an increase, incident to the moving of the fruit crops, and
the approach of the fall season when there will be a heavy cotton move
ment, for the handling of which advance arrangements as to rolling stock
are necessary, and the other, and none the less important, the recent defeat
of Governor Smith. •••'; ’
Take what view we may of Gov. Smith, personally and politically,
there Is no question that hU policies we;e regarded as a standing th
and menace to capital in every invested form. As soon as his defeat
came assured there was a restoration of confidence in financial circles, the
feeling that it was again safe to expend money in Georgia along the line of
public utilities, and a consequent early loosening* up of the strained situation
that had existed here for some months. Railroads were paturaliy not in
clined to go ahead with plans for Improvements, for works of betterment,
for increase In rolling stock, with a great club hung threateningly over
their heads, and likely to come down with crushing and ruinous effect at
any time. The fear of a tax on their gross. Incomes, regardless of hte
question of net profits, has been removed, and the danger of annlhllatory
legislation Is also largely a thing of the past. Hence the managers ot these
great properties* are able to once more breathe freely, and to devise plans
for the improvement ot the properties entrusted to their care. It Is* not nec
essary now for them to spend the greater part of their time wondering what
the next attack upon them will be, what new dangers In adverse legislation
they will be called upon to combat, and what further efforts to reduce their
income and Increase their burdens must be met. They
feel somewhat as Slnbad must have felt when the chok
ing embraco of the “Old , man of the ■ Bea," loosened
from around Ms neck and he realized that he was once more free to take
a deep breath, to straighten up, find out his bearings, and go ahead like
any other ordinary mortal.
Georgia to to be congratulated on the fruits that are already coming
from Its return to a period of sane dealing with corporations and Invest
ed capital generally. With fine crops In prospect there is no reason why
the coming fall and winter should not see a great revival of Industry and
trade. There !s everything to feci hopeful about and very little, Indeed, to
make one anxious In studying the future as present Indications augur It
FOR BETTER TEACHERS 1\ f ; A
The statement made-by Stat»
Sehool Commissioner Pound with re
gard to the status and pay of the
teachers of the elementary country
schools of the state is pathetic and
well calculated to arouse a sentiment
throughout Georgia that will result in
the raising of the standard ot rhe
teachers and their more adequate
compensation. *
At the present time the average
pay *of the teacher in the country
district school of Georgia is about
$150 a school year, of six months.
The money is never paid promptly
and the teachers frequently lose ten
to fifteen per cent of this pittance t,y
having their claims discounted. On
their meagre salaries It Is impossible
for the teachers to make any ■,>>.
tence of beeping up with the intel
lectual trend of the day, of devoting
any time to their own mental im-
provement, of pushing their studies
so that they may be rendered more
capable In thetr profession. Teaching
is a drudgery to them for which they
receive the wages of a common labor
er.
In the large cities and towns ot
the state tlje school systems are
admirable. In a few of the better ag
ricultural districts local taxation lias
supplemented the other fund and the
grade of teachers has been improved,
But as a general tliing'the teachers
are deficient in knowledge and abili
ty and incapable of Imparting instruc-
tloii because of their lack of training.
The chief remedy is In raising the
pay. Good men and women cannot
long be held In such bondage as is
indicated by Commissioner Pounds
figures. Only those whose ambition
and possibilities have been reduced to
a very low ebb can be Induced to "re
main as teacher any longer because
they have not either sufficient ability
or sufficient push to get out of so
unpromising a line of work.
With Commissioner Pound's re
port before it, and the facts so
strongly pointed out it is difficult to
sec how the legislature can avoid
making some effort to increase the
school fund of the state and start a
movement toward Improving the char
acter and efficiency of the teachers.
It is true there, are pressing calls for
money front the state from various
commendable causes, hut no cause
strikes home to such an extent as
the education of the children. How
the state, under the existing circuit-
stances, can consider the matter of
abolishing the convict lease system
and loading itself up with additional
burdens in the care of the convicts
we fail to see. Calmly speaking, the
little children of Georgia are entitled
to as much sympathy as the con
victs, and the state coulS far better
afford to raise the per capita tax
for its convicts and Increase the edu
cational expenditures than to die
pense with the lease system and em
bark on methods of handling the
prisoners the results of which would
be unknown and perhaps far more
costly than profitable.
GEORGIA ON THE PLATFORM COMMITTEE
Georgia has a great opportunity at the Denver convention. While it
may be a settled fact—as Mr. Bryan claims—that the convention will nomi
nate Bryan on the first ballot, there Is no reason why the voice ot Georgia
should not be heard, and heard most positively. In the making of the platform
which will represent the party views and policies before the people.
Georgia la the leading state of the South. Its democracy Is Of the
Inflexible stripe, that is, it has never wavered in its devotion to the party
and can be relied upon to giveAts electoral votes to the party candidates. Its
long devotion to the party justifies it in expressing Us convictions in the
coming convention and not allowing itself to sit with its voice suppressed
through fear of hurting some one else's feelings or because it Is a state
whose votes can be relied on and It is therefore unnecessary to give it
any consideration.
There has hefen too much of this sort of thing In the past and fife party
lias suffered* as a result. What we really need at Denver is a threshing out
of party views and the making of a platform that really represents the
principles thac are held by the mass ot the party. It should not be a one
man niado platform. We don't want any man, no matter who he Is, to
hand in a platform and tell the party to label It with Us name.
Georgia should see that it has a strong man on the platform committee.
It would be a wise thing for the state and for the party to place General
Peter W. Meldrlm In that position. Added to thorough knowledge o( the
history of the great parties pf the county is a persuasive eloquence that
wili enable him to convincingly place the views of the Georgia delegation
before the committee, and, it necessary, sustain them on the floor of the
convention when the*conslderatlon of the various planks Is under way.
With such a man as Meldrlm on the platform committee Georgia will
not be reduced to the position of a mere “me-too,” but will be a live wire,
a potent factor, as tt ts entitled to be. In the councils that prepare the plat
form that wilt be submitted to the voters as the living principles of a party
that has outlived the political vicissitudes of a century and stands today, as
it stood in the days of Jefferson, the bulwark and hope of a real democracy.
THE REPUBLICAN WAY OF BOIN0
As might have been expected the
Republican leaders are all burying the
hatchet and rallying to the support
of the ticket. That is the Republican
way of doing things. By the time the
campaign gets well started there
will not be a recalcitrant leader in the
whole bunch but each and every one
will be shouting for the success of
the ticket* as though his very soul de
pended on Its election or he, himself,
were leading It to the White House.
Here we haye Foraker and Taft
already embracing each other, figura
lively speaking, and getting ready lor
the bargaining that will bring Foraker
and his friends to the enthusiastic
rescue pf the ticket In Ohio. S°
will be In New York and other states.
The power pf party discipline, an
the power of party patronage. Is never
better displayed than in the Repul) -
can party on? the verge of a great na
ional battle. k
Here Is the way the New *°
World’s Washington correspond
tells of the reunion of Foraker an
Taft*.
Politicians in’even the prhner c -
realize that If Mr. Taft insists on i
retirement of Mr. Foraker Ohio » .
certainly go Democratic ?L ze d
her; This was more than eml>hn-« te
when four delegates from that »
voted for Foraker and against l* * v
If an agreement Is made a *
the Taft people Will support tors.
candidates for the Legislature
fall all friction will be removed _
Senator Foraker took the first ‘
In the direction of “making up. •
sending the following message to -
Taft today: „ .. „, n vcl-
"Although I fear it be “ ad it
come, and probably misunderstood,^
Is nevertheless my pleasure t vou
myself of my privilege to send ^
heartiest congratulations ana .
wishes for success In No 'f, 1 |'i- r e-
Secretary Taft at once sent tm-
'’'oi assure you that ^"jJ^egre® 1 "
of congratulations gave me the e u
est pleasure and I thank you
from the bottom of my 1»eai wr
“I have .never ceased to remen,^
that I owe to you my (t caB e
start in public lfe, and that u
without solicitation. With
wishes, believe me, fgr"