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THE AMERICUS WEEKLY TIMES-RECORDER. FRIDAY. JULY 10. 1908 ' __
THE TIMES-RECORDER
' DAILY AND WEEKLY
The A:aericus Recorder, Established
jg79.
The Americus Tinier, Established lSJ'f
Consolidated April, 1S91.
Entered at the postolhce at Ameri
cas as second-class mall matter.
THOMAS GAMBLE, JR.,
Editor and Manager.
C. W. CORNFORTH, , , ,
Associate Editor and Assistant
Manager.
J. W. FURLOW, City Editor.
W. L. DUPREE,
Assistant Business Dept.
Editorial Room Telephone 99.
The Timcs-Rccorder Is the
Official Organ of the ICty of Americus.
Official Organ of Sumter County.
Official Organ of Webster County.
Official Organ of Railroad Commis
sion of Georgia for the 3rd Con
gressional district.
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Daily, one month 50
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Address all letters and make remit-
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THE TIMES-RECORDER,
Americus, Ga
Americus, Ga., July 10, 190S.
Bryan has taken down the “Keep
off the grass” signs at his home.
The Georgia Anti-Saloon » League
•has set aside Sunday, July 19, as
“stainless flag day.”
Last Fourth of July gathered in 59
dead and 4,227 injured. What will
the total be this year?
POUR TEARS FOR GOVERNOR AND LEGISLATORS
While it is hardly probable that the present legislature will act fav
orably upon the proposition to extend the terms of the governor and mem
bers of the General Assembly to four years there is much in the suggestion
;o commend It to the people of Georgia.
Under the exisiting system we are hardly through a skate election be
fore we are thrown into the throes of another election on the same lines.
A governor is scarcely selected before It is time to choose another. The
itate Is kept In a polillcal uproar that is detrimental to all of Its interests,
except that of the comparatively few who thrive and fatten on political con
tests. Much of this would be avoided if the governor and the legislators
were chosen for a term of four years.
The feeling Is strong throughout the ■state, In fact In every state, that
the country is today, and has been for a long time, suffering from a
surfeit of politics and of crude, half baked and wholly undigested law
making. All over the country lawmakers are gathering every year or two
end grinding out a mass of lllconsldered legislation, affecting great inter
ests, without any well defined Ideas as to what should be sought and the
best wav to accomplish it. The meeting of the average legislature means
a period of uncertainty, of unrest, of anxiety, that Is entirely and seriously
detrimental to all Interests, The majority of the legislators are one termers
men who have given little or no study fo public questions, and too fre
quently men who are eager beyond comprehension to Introduce and enact
legislation that will win applause for them or temporarily get them into
the arena of publicity.
If the governor's term is extended to four years he will be In better
position to study the needs of the state, his recommendations will be
more value, and he will be enabled to work out policies that will redound
to the highest Interests of the people. If the legislators are elected for
four years a higher grade of members will undoubtedly be secured. The
Tieonie will be more careful in their selections and in all likelihood a higher
grade of men will offer for the positions of representatives and senators
especially if the sessions he made biennial and be limited to a reasonable
number of days. There Is everything to commend the suggestion referred
lo, and it is to he hoped that If the present legislature cannot see Its way
lo have the matter submitted tq the people that the next legislature will
do so, and that before long Georgia will establish a precedent along this
line that other states will he glad to speedily emulate.
Longer terms, better legislators, less legislation. Surely Georgia could
well offer up a prayer that such a'blessing will quickly be conferred^ upon
it.
Harvard has conferred on H. M.
Atkinson the degree of A. B. This
.means Ambitious Builder.
Twelve years have passed since William Jennings Bryan first shot
into the political heavens like a flaming meteor. An astonished nation
picked up its newspapers one morning in 1890 and read that William Jen
nings Bryan,»of Nebraska, had been nominated as the Democratic presi
dential candidate. From New York to San Francisco and from Portland to
Tampa the query on every lip was: TYho Is Brjan?
Twelve years are more than adequate to make and unmake reputations.
Today the name of Bryan is a household word In this country, and through-
nut the civilized world he Is recognized as one of the potent forces in the
public life of the sgreat American republic. Twice defeated, he continues
Ms hold on the party as strongly as ever, and In a general way has risen
higher in the public estimation with each defeat. Men who do not agree
with Ills views on questions of the hour recognize the honesty of the man,
they say, and dr. honor to him as one who is candid and sincere and as ofle
who places morality above success, and convictions above office. The issue
on which he first won the position of: standard bearer, free silver, is ap
parently burled beyond resurrection, his second shibboleth of "Imperialism
lias but a languid Interest, his later doctrine of government ownership of
ailroads has been put among the dust covered mummies, the Initiative and
eferendum seems to have no vigor as a public awakener, -but Bryan, the
.nunclator and supporter of all of these policies, has apparently suffered
r.o diminution of strength by the obliteration of his sentiments. Today he
ieems to hold the Democratic party in the hollow of his hands, as he held
twelve and eight, and even four, years ago. Under his leadership It
toes Into another national battle. If it wins Bryan will be president, if it
loses Bryan will he—who can tell?
The Philadelphia Ledger the other day published a page article on the
man. It recognizes him as a wonderful man, although It tolerates none of
Ills political views. Speaking of that memorable day when he emerged from
obscurity, It tells a graphic story that Is well worth reproducing:
To return to the stirring scenes in the convention hall in Chicago on
the hot summer dav in 1890 when William J. Bryan, by a flow of flowery
oratory with high sounding phrases, punctured here and there with biting
sarcasm and hit! of a popular sort at the leading events of the day. boldly
captured the Democratic party and became the idol of a large section of .
There are times in men's lives that, taken advantage of, lead to a cl >ange
- f conditions In the Chicago convention the question of adopting the sil
ver plank and declaring in favor of a ratio of “15 to 1” wasbelngdscussed
Senator David B. Hill, of New York, representing the capital of the East
si»ke for the gold standard. He made - »r 111Iant
plea foMns sble ot tUo questmm conventlon W as in great confusion, that
the opportunity wis seized that led William J. Bryan to the nomination for
. e ... * i ^ notYiDArntif nnrtv over to him. Few people
THE STATE TREASURER’S SALARY
■Why not amalgamate all these
■“Greater” clubs and name the
composite a "Greater Everywhere?”
The country is now struggling with
out an ex-president. Fortunately
Teddy will relieve file situation after
.next March 4th.
Mr. Bryan says he can be elected
-without the electoral vote of New
'York. Undoubtedly—if he could get
enough other states.
'Col. Watterson calls Taft a “man
. of straw." No wonder the market
for that commodity has gone up with
such a heavy consumptive demand.
“Bryan dictates to his, wife" ac
cording to a special article going the
round. Now don’t get your ire up,
gentle reader. It is true he dictates
Jo his wife—as his shorthand aid.
Roosevelt never coined any phrases
that became current and will live
through the ages as Cleveland did.
Grover had the happy faculty of ex
pressing a great truth tersely and
strikingly.
Meat eaters In Savannah are “beef
ing' ’ on account of the high prices
they must pay for their favorite food.
They claim that there Is a trust for
the meat packers but no trust for the
-consumer.
What Is woman? asks an exchange.
Not quite liositive yet. Having seen
her in a bathing suit and a peek-a-boo
waist we are -merely waiting for i
glance at her in a sheath skirt be
fore deciding.
Secretary CoSelyou has issued a
statement to the effect that the treas
ury deficit is more apparent than
real. That appears to be a very dig
nified method of explaining a financi
al embarrassment.
The State Treasurer of Georgia receives a beggarly salary for one
occupying so important and responsible a position. Two thousand dollars
a year is meagre pay for. the chief fiscal officer of a great commonwealth
like this. It is less than the county treasurers of several of the counties
make, it is less than many other state officers are paid, it is below the
salaries paid officials in banks of any importance, it is inadequate and
pot at all commensurate* with the duties of the incumbent. ■
A bill has been-introduced in the Assembly, we believe, to increase
ihe pay of the Treasurer from $2,0U0 to $3,000. [While the salary mentioned
would probably not be overpaying the official it is not probable that the
stake can affoid at this time to make, so great an increase In the salary.
Were the Stale's financial condition more satisfactory no good argument
could he advanced against a decided Increase In the salary attached to this
office. As it is there Is no doubt that a substantial amount should be added
to the pay. The present salary Is manifestly Inadequate. It should
increased to at least $3,000. The State can stand the additional $1,000, and
the officer in question will even then be very far from being liberally paid
for his services
It is proposed to increase the amount available for the expense of the
office, for the hire ot competent bank examiners. No one can call Into
question the advisability ot this. After the failure of the Neal bank In
Atlanta it was shown that with the means at his service for this purpose
It was an absolute impossibility for the State Treasurer to keep an ade
quatc corps of competent examiners in the field. He did the best he could
with the material at his command, but there could not he frequent and
complete Investigations into the condition of the state banks, as is con
templated and as should he the case for the protection of the depositors
and stockholders.
The present session of Ihe legislature has a number of questions
for reaching Importance before' it. It would be well if it would concern
Irate attention at an early day on the few that are ot paramount Impor
tance, such as ihe convict lease issue, the agricultural college maintenance,
the state treasurer's compensation and expenses account, and such others
as are of vital value in their outcome to the state. The mass of petty local
hills and freak measures could be shoveled into the dust bln and forgotten
until tlie real 1 : - serious business of the session has: been disposed of.
Joel Chandler Harris, better known
■as “Uncle ReniUB," died Friday. He
was the most unique literary genius
iu the South, and his departure will
make thousands mourn who read his
humor and admired his delightful
character.
The Philadelphia Ledger says that
the South is shaking off Populism,
citing the defeat of Gov. Smith and
Ex-Senator Carmack as proof. Won
THAT FERTILIZER TAX.
The legislators of Georgia seem to he in a very uncertain frame ot
mind as regards the proposed Increase In the fertilizer tax to 25 cents. The
pros and cons seem to bo very far apart in the debate, one side maintaining
that the consumers will pay no more for their fertilizers with thejjji cents
* ton tax than they do with the present tax ot 10 cents, fertilizers being
sold uniformly and no more being charged for them In Alabama and other
states where the tax is 25 to 35 cents than in Georgia where it Is less. The
farmer pays the tax and the state fails to collect it. The argument seems
to be well based and supported by indisputable facts, hut the fear that fai m-
ers may be offended by an increase In the tax is keeping many of the legis
lators on the rnxtous bench of uncertainty.
The success of the agricultural colleges depends on this tax. The money
obtained from ihe proposed Increase should all be set aside for the eleven
district schools. That is an expenditure that must commend Itself
planters generally. While it by no means Is certain yet that the legislature
will agree to ihe increased tax it is hoped that the influences at woil
Uefwha a t t0 the C Ledg«wou.d r say whe“n tha Interest of ihe district schools, and the clear presentation of the Uct that
it learned that Tom AVatson was op
posed to Gov. Smith, and that his op
position was one of the reasons for
the farmer’s defeat?
Each appearance ot the Governor’s
-private secretary In the legislative
Ralls arouses expectancy to a high
pltc£, as the message saying why
-Commissioner Joe Brown was fired is
expected dally. The Atlanta Georgian
Tun suggested that the matter he
dropped, but the law la plain that the
Legislature shall be given the rea-
thc Increase is not a burden on the farmers, will result In the adoption of
the measure.
Along this line the Montgomery, Ala., Journal says:
Over In Georgia the legislature in considering a tax on fertilizers cf
25c per ton, it now being only 10c. There should he no hesitancy about
levying the increase tax, for It has been shown that the Belling prL
fertilizers is already fixed upon that basis. The turners payJittlng
will make no difference with the companies, except that they are now getting
15c a ton which belongs to the tax. 1 l.e tax Is needed for the agticuUural
schools of the state, which should be maintained at any cost, out ot the
general fund if 0 5 ur agricultural schools, and find them a good In
vestment The tic to maintain them is barely felt, and no money was ever
better spent or brought In better returns. The Georgia legislature mould
not* delay*In levying the additional tax, even though It were not shown that
the farmers are already paying It, for it Is money badly needed for a good
puriws™ 6 The'agricultural ’school. ft teds .GUe Jiate aU ^ successful.
sons tor the dismissal of officials be-: The agricultural schools in this state nave an ueea huumwu.,
tween terms. It will be time to talk \ ^d^e have no doubt they will In Georgia, if the money necessary Is pro-
a f magnanimity afterward. ' vlded.
WHEN' HRYAX BECAME A NATIONAL FIGURE.
!'he Presidency! and turned the Democratic party ‘over to him Few people
of the East knew tlie well-formed, smooth-faced young man who was rushed
to the pfttfom of the convention by the frwe sllverh.es But the Vest knew
him, and he had made many speeches at the behest of tlie silver Kings.
They had picked him to reply to Senator Hill. , ,
As Bryan stepped to the front of the platform he raised his hand as
a t0 “mo ha is h thatr ir asked de one of the reporters of a veteran Washington
COir *‘Oh he is a dub Congressman from Nebraska named Bryan. T 'wish
tliev’d choke him off and let us get out of here, was the repl>. ,
5 Bryan began his speech in a quiet way, with a few well-chosen words.
He began to attract attention from the start. Gradually, like a storm
sweeping over the country, his oratory became more flowery and the aud
ience listened. It did more. It applauded. Like the distant roll of thunder
the noise gradually drew nearer and nearer and finally broke into a great
,0ar “We 1 be n g‘To longerf^ve'retreat no more; we petition no more. We
defy The ra storm then broke on the convention in all its fury The people
roared. The men who, ten minutes before, had inquired “Who is tills
man’’" seemed to have gone wild and were numbered among the thousands
who mounted the seats and yelled for the young Nebraskan. Silver-tongued
in the cause of silver. Bryan made a remarkable address. With consum
mate shrewdness he did not defend his position, but plunged boldly into an
attack of his enemies. His impressive manner, indicative of perfect sin
cerity - his indomitable courage; the audacity with which he declared that
the friends of silver would no longer plead nor beg for justice; his graphic
pictures of commercial distress, and above all, his impassioned defense of
the Intelligence, the patriotism and the rights ot the masses ot the people,
wwent all before him. When he declared: , . „ ...
"There are two Ideas of government. There are those who believe that
if you just legislate to make the well-to-do prosperous that their prosperity
will leak through on those below. The Democratic idea has been that if
you legislate to make the masses prosperous their prosperity will find Its
way up and through every class and rest upon It.’
The convention want wild and cheered and cheered. But when he
concluded his speech with the remark:
“You shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold! the scene was
that of a howling mob. In less than 30 minutes the smooth-faced young
Congressman from Nebraska had emerged from the obscurity of his Wes
tern home to become the most talked-ot man in the country. He was
carried from the stage to his place in the Nebraska delegation on the
shoulders of enthusiastic Silverltes. The nomination for President was his
for the asking. Then and there did the Democratic party swallow William
J. Bryan. And then and there did Mr. Bryan put the party in his vest
pocket, where It has remained ever since, and promises to stay until the
coming presidential campaign is over, at least.
HANDLING THE PEACH CROP
One problem which Is presented
by the rapid increase in peach rale-
ing In Sumter Is that of getting the
best prices for the produce. This
year the growers have felt keenly the
need of a change In the system which
will permit the selling of the fruit
In the markets In which the best
prices obtain.
As It is now, the cars are shipped
to designated points, regardless of
the state of the market. Out in
California the peach and fruit grow
ers have solved the problem by get
ting together, but in South Georgia
the scheme has never been tried.
Though it Is too late this season
to do much, the peach growers should
improve the winter by perfecting ar
rangements for the handling of the
next season's crop. Of course the
commission men do not worry over
a glut of the market at any given
point, as they get their commission
regardless.
New York gets the bulk of the
South Georgia shipments, while It is
quite probable that many dther cities
are easily able to absorb many more
cars than they receive. This would
seem to be particularly true of Si.
Louis, which has gotten very few
cars- from this section this season.
The following from the Atlanta
Georgian states the truth;
From various points in the peach-
growing section of* the state come
complaints, most of them apparently
well-based that the growers are
expecting the same old trouble with
the commission men In the large
markets of the country.
It seems a great pity for the men
who have worked hard and built up
a great Industry to be the victims
of greedy and unfair dealing in the
markets East and West. Lean years
come to the fruit growers, years la
which frost does its work completely,
anil no profit comes to orchardists.
When a year of plenty comes, and
the trees are weighted with the most
luscious peach grown in the world,
the growers must confront a condi
tion apparently as unprofitable as
when cold strips the fruit from the
So discouraging has become this
condition, altho the fruit men have
fought gallantly for their rights, that
It is said growers in middle Georgia
seriously contemplate cutting down
the trees another year, if profits go
to the commission man altogether as
has been the case in'the past.
Mr. W. M. Towers, an experienced
peach-grower of Floyd county, shows
by figures how the commission men
in New,York and other large cities
make heavy profits off of every car,
even when the grower is actually los
ing He shows also that the old
cry ot a congested market Is a false
one, and that the South can hardly
throw more cars of peaches into the
big markets than can be easily sold
and consumed.
It is a situation of great serious
ness. Unless some way can be found
to give the growers a just and legi
timate profit on their crop, It means
the decay of the fruit-growing ndus-
try ft Georgia—the decay of an indus
try that should be a great source of
wealth ft the state.
FELON'S AS ROAD BUILDERS.
THE MAKING OF NEW COUNTIES
The Augusta Herald ft endorsing
the attitude of the Tlmes-Recorder
with regard to the continued creation
of new counties, says:
Our state has now 146 counties,
more than any other state except
Texas, which Is more than wur
times as large as Georgia. when
our present state constitution was
adopted there were 137 counties, and
for many years there was a let-up ”
the marking of new counties,
four years ago a "new county
demic seized the state. It became t
absorbing question ft the legislature.
There was log-rolling and P oll ‘*u
trading world without end amongtn
various new county champions an
there was disappointment ga ore,
when it was finally decided to alio
the creation of only eight, among t.
disappointed aspirants.
But the fatal act had been con
mitted. The bars had been
down, and there Is a continual fire
ing for the gap. Since then alreaw
one additional new county has sm
ped ft, and now a whole herd
clustered outside trying to
through the gap. The only " a ? .
stop it will be to put up the bars, w>
a law that no more new counties s
be created in the state.
Let there be an end to the ma**
of new counties. It was an evil
when the old constitution was b
en and an example set for ne *5 s
ty boomers to follow, but a
should be put upon all such as]
tlons, for already our state is
most multi-countied state lu
Union.
The proposed solution of Georgia's convict problem Is one that will
probably commend Itself to the good judgment of all but the few sentimental
reformers who believe a convict should not be worked at all where the
public can come In contact with him. They regard the felon as a super
sensitive creature who shrinks away when the stranger sees him ft his
stripes. As a matter of fact the average Georgia convict has no sensibili
ties of this sort and is just about as likely a subject for reformation work
ing the road with pick and spade, or on the turpentine farm with chipper
and” dipper, ai though Incarcerated behind stone walls with nothing but
his own thoughts to occupy his time.
Under the law that will probably be enacted counties will he given
the privilege of working their felony convicts on their roads and other public
Improvements, as they now utilize the labor of their misdemeanor prison
ers. Many counties will no doubt avail themselves of such an opportunity
to Increase their working forces and the number of felon convicts turned
over to the state to lease out will be correspondingly reduced. While this
will cut down the state's revenues from this source, unless a larger per
capita amount Is obtained from the lessees, the objections that are being
hurled against the lease system will be lessened ft force. With fewer
convicts to supervise the state officials can better guarantee their humane
and proper treatment, and that Is all that can reasonably he asked for
(he convicts.
Road Improvement Is continually expanding ft Georgia. A number of
counties now have an excellent system of well built highways which arc
kept ft good condition by the chain gang method. The proportion of good
roads to the total road mileage of the state is very small, however, and
there Is ample work ft every county to keep its convicts busy along
this line for many years to come. In Sumter we have seen fine progress
in this direction ft the last three or four years, work that has reflected ulmjrman MCljeuauu
the highest credit on the progressive spirit of the county, but, ns well why u wouM not be a violation
known, highway betterment Is yet ft its Infancy with us. If the proposed
legislation goes through there Is hardly a doubt but that this county, in
common with the other most progressive counties of the state,- will avail
Itself of the opportunity to swell the number of workers at its service and
push as rapidly as possible the construction of highways, built on scien
tific principles, in every district of the county. Public opinion will sustain
the county commissioners In all work done along this line and the public
will be Immeasurably the gainer by every effort put forth lu tbls direction.
It Is apparently being shown col ‘
clusively that fertilizers sell f° r *
actly the same price ft other s a
as Iti Georgia, despite the fact
the tag is 15 to 20 cents a ton grea .
Tills being the case the chief o 3
to the Increase In the tax in
state from 10 to 25 cents Is ««<>»•
If the fertilizer companies pay
tax It Is all right
Chairman McLendon has
why It would not be a violation oft”
rulings of the various r8 ‘ [“ a , eglgIa -
missions should the
ture go on a junket to C jte
His belated justification fln“ #t
members reconciled to »t*y »puth<
home. But what’s the matter ^
legislature voting pa»*es f tW
Georgia members who can
state road in getting home.