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About The Henry County weekly. (McDonough, GA.) 18??-1934 | View Entire Issue (July 5, 1907)
NEW GEORGIA GOVERNOR TAKES OFFICIAL OATH Hoke Smith Inaugurated in Atlanta With Imposing Ceremony. GREAT THRONG PRESENT Thousands of Enthusias tic Citizens from Every Part of the State Witness Event. Governor Hoke Smith was inaug urated as chief executive of the state ! ui Georgia at the capitol in Atlanta, Saturday at noon, two years to the 4ay from the time he made his first j campaign speech, in the presence of .xniuit has bten estimated at 10,000 people. The oath of office was administer ed by Chief Justice Fish of the su preme court of Georgia, while with •x-Governor Terrell, President Akin ■ •1 the senate, Speaker Slaton of the iouse, Secretary of State Cook and the assisting clergy, they stood on a raised platform on tile west front of 4he capitol square. The great seal of state was handed Ac the incoming governor by the out- | going governor, and with its passage the formalities of the day were ai an end, and Mr. Smith turned to the de livery of hi 3 inaugural address to the general assembly of Georgia, the mem bers of which sat in organized form. Immediately after the conclusion of his address Mr. Smith was besieged ; by his friends. But first, and before all of the for mal exercises at the ciptol, there took , place through the principal streets of ; the cily the inaugural parade of four divisions, which made a scene never to he forgotten. Under the marshalshlp of General C. A. Evans, the old war horse of the Confederacy, the parade had been admirably arranged and careful aides •aw that the orders were faithfully •xecuted. The first division of the parade composed the military, the second was composed of carriages ! of the governor-elect and his party. The third was made up of the various Hoke Smith clubs while the fourth iras composed of citizens generally. At his home on West Peachtree street, promptly at 11 o'clock, Govern or Smith entered the carriage which hud been arranged for him. In it there were seated Judge Hillyer, Rep resent htive Alexander of DeKalb, com mitteeman from the house, and Sena tor W. C. Martin, committeeman from the senate. Four handsome horses pulled the open landau. Governor Smith was cheered repeat edly along the line of parade, and wab uncovered almost continuously. He bowed and smiled from right to loft, mid whenever there was an un usual burst of applause he made his acknowledgments by rising and bow ing his thanks. A platform had been erected for the inauguration ceremonies on the grassy •ward on the west front of the capitol and In this inclosure were seated the general assembly, the immediate fam ily of the governor-elect and all ladies with escorts, or as many as could be crowded into the stand. The arrange ment committee planned for 4,000 seats. Back of this the great crowd •welled and surged like a giant wave in a sea of humanity. There has not been, in all probability in the history of the state, such an ovation tendered * governor upon assuming office as that so generously afforded Governor Hoke Smith at the capitol grounds. There has probably never ben such a large attendance at the inaugural exercises of the chief executive of the otate as was here witnessed. At 12 o'clock the general assembly repaired to the stand from the capitol. A loud shout went up, continuing un til the body was seated. The assembly ' was led by the sergeants-at-arms of j both houses. The senate was seated to | the right of the platform and the ; members of the house directly in the front. After them came Governor Ter rell, who was greeted with continued applause. He was followed by the state house officials, the judges of the United States courts aud the judges of the supreme and superior courts. Governor Terrell advanced, taking a sea. on the platform with President Akin of the senate; Speaker Slaton of the house; Secretary of State Phil Cook and Chief Justice Fish. Bishop Warren A. Candler and Rev. Orme Flinn, the governor-elect's pastor, were also seated on the platform. Directly to the left of the grand stand was reserved a box for the gov ernor-elect’s relatives. One notable fact took place ju3t be fore the governor-elect entered. Three ex-governors, McDaniel, Northen and Candler, entered the building arm in arm, taking seats in front. Within a few minutes, a shout went up from the audience, and Governor- Elect Hoke Smith, preceded by the joint inauguration committee of the general assembly, entered the build ing. An immense rvpping, clapping and stamping permeated the air, and continued until President Akin rapped for order. Everything being quieted, President Akin called upon Bishop Warren Candler to pray. The assembly rose, listening intently to the invocation. The president of the senate then in troduced the governor-elect to the gen eral assembly, which was followed by frequent outbursts of applause. The oath of office was then administered by Chief Justice Fish and Hoke Smith, private citizen just an instant before, became Governor Hoke Smith of the state of Georgia. Governor Smith accepted the great seal amid an immense demonstration by those present. The inaugural speech then followed. This occupied just one hour and ten minutes. Governor Smith outlined the policies which are to be features or his admin istration. The disfranchisement plan was explained at length, the governor urging that it will in no way violate the federal constitution and that more than this there is nothing in it either unwise or unjust to any person. As to railroad legislation, beyond a plea for more power for the railroad commission, the abolition of the free pass system and the equalization of freight and passenger fares, the gov ernor did not go into the details of the legislation which it is proposed to be enacted. “While my sympathies in a local election are with those who oppose the sale of, liquor, for the present local op tion may furnish the best plan for controling the liquor traffic.” In this sentence Governor Smith stated hia position on the prohibition question" He then went on to say that he be lieves the dry counties should be kept dry and that he cordially favors such legislation as will assure this. Possi bly no part of Mr. Smith’s address was heard with so much Interest as the sentence dealing with the liquor question, which is* now so acutely be fore the public. He also declared that he believed It would be wise to have the state ex periment station moved from Griffin to Athens, now that the plant of the state agricultural college has been so greatly enlarged. After concluding his speech, the governor handed the great seal of state to Secretary Phil Cook for safe keeping. The benediction was pronounced by Rev. Richard Orme Flinn of the North Avenue Presbyterian church. The general assembly then left the building, going to their respective chambers, and adjourned. Governor Smith retired to the executive's of fices, where he was met by a long file of friends, who came to congratulate h^n. At 4 o’clock the doors of the exec utive mansion w r ere thrown open, and 1 thenceforward until 10 o'clock Satur day night Governor and Mrs. Smith were the hosts at the largest reception ; ever held- in the state. NEW TACK IS TAKEN By Defense in Haywood Case and Effort is Making to Prove Conspiracy by Mine Owners. The effort of the defense to open the way for a showing of a general con spiracy extending over many states on the part of the mine owners tc crush out the Western Federation ol Miners developed one of the in teresting features of the trial ci Wil iiam D. Haywood at Boise, Idaho, Fri day. The state is resisting this very ear nestly, So far Judge Wood has ruled that evidence showing a conspiracy In the states of Idaho and Colorado will be admitted on the promise that the defence will connect this later with their line of defense. But the defense has not given up iheir efforts to widen the field and at Friday’s session of court, the struggle was resumed. The conspiracy and not the discred iting of Orchard has now come textile forefront. W. D. Easterly, who, as a member of the famous Altman Un ion No. 19 of Cripple Creek, was on the strike committee, and who Orchard swore was one of the men with whom he made the arrangements for more than one crime is still on the stand. By him other links in the chain of alleged conspiracy of the mine owners aud the work of the detectives em ployed by them to create feeling against the Western Federation will be put in evidence. Incideutaly Easterly flatly contra dicted every statement Orchard made connecting him with the Independence depot or the Vindicator mine. He tells of philanthropic work of the Western Federation through the Altman Union in caring for the sick and widows and orphans. Easterly will be taken under cross examination by Senator Borah later, and it is pi'bbable that this will be as searching as the cross examination of W. P. Davis, which the state counts as a distinct triumph and a material assistance to their side. Clarence Darrow, who is conducting the defense, and is in charge of the witnesses, asserts most positively that he proposes to go, directly if possible, into the conspiracy of the mine own ers, and claims if he succeeds in broad ening the scope he will be able to prove that a widespread conspiracy existed. Darrow says he can bring the Pin kerton agency in as one of the chiefs in the conspiracy and claims to have witnesses who will fully support kis charges. If the court permits this line of defense it threatens a prolon gation, of the case as the state will call a large number of witnesses in rebuttal. JAPAN HAS MILLION SOLDIERS. That Number Compose Mikado’s Standing Army, Says Missionary. The Rev. Henry C. Mabrie, genera] secretary of the American Baptist Union, who arrived at San Francisco on the Korea, Friday, has been on a four months’ tour of the Orient In specting the mission stations. He gave careful study to the Japanese question and says Americans should be warn ed against under-estimating Japan’s strength. “They have a standing army of a million men,” he- said, and their drill work is not the performance of per functory evolutions. They go at it in the greatestest earnestness. No nation can afford to hold the Japanese effi ciency or valor in contempt. “There is an increasing feeling be neath the surface of uneasiness and sensiciveness in regard to our immi gration policy and the treatment of her subjects. It is not so manifest as reports would endeavor to convey; the thoughtful, substantial meii are dis posed to be patient and to trust to the good intentions of our country and our officials for an amicable adjust ment of the difficulties wiih regard to their rights. TO CONTEST NEGRO’S ELECTION. Fight to Be Made on Only Colored Mem " ber of Georgia Legislature. The seat of the ‘only negro in the Georgia legislature will be hotly con tested, and a strong effort will be made to give Mclntosh county the first white representative she has had in several years. W. H. Rogers is the negro member, and Captain George E. Atwood, a leading citizen, is the contestant. It is claimed that the recent elec tion in Mclntosh county, which result ed in the re-election of the negro, was irregular. With Our Lawmakers An unsuccessful attempt to amend and materailly change the inaugural program as arranged by the joint leg islative eomrhiUee by Mr. Hall of Bibb precipitated a lively discussion in the house Friday. The feature of the pro gram providing for the secretary of state to deliver to the new governor the great seal of the state was made the subject of an attack, as was also' the plan to have the governor-elect escorted to the stand from amidst the multitude gathered to witness the in auguration—from among the ranks of the priVa:e citizens of the scale, ifie opposition to the report took the po sition that the retiring governor—Gov ernor Terrell should present the great seal of the state to the new gov ernor—Governor Hoke Smith. The in ference gathered from the opponent of the program was that to have the sec retary of state tender the seal would be regarded as a slight to Governor Terrell. Speaker Slaton put the ques tion of agreeing to the committee re port, and the house sustained the com mittee. More bills were introduced at Fri day’s session of the house perhaps than at any previous session. There were 300 in all and nearly every one provides for some sort of reform. ! Chief among those introduced were the bils providing for the return of as- ' sessments to the comptroller general; the increase of the size and power of the railroad commission; the anti-pass bill; a bill making an attempted crimi nal assault punishable by death as well as the assault itself, and a measure calling for a thoxuigh investigation into the property status of the Central of Georgia railroad and the Southern i The senate Friday morning confirm all of Gov. Terrell s recess appoint- i ments except one. The appoin ment of A. S. Johnson as judge of ihe city court of Newton was held up pend ing an investigation by a committee consisting of Senators Flynt, Haynes and Felder. Judge Johnson is also mayor of Newton, and there is a ques tion as to whether he can legally hold both offices. It is held that the hold ing up of the appointment does pot nullify it, and that .Johnson will be entitled to the judgeship if the ap pointment is later confirmed by the Judge Johnson was appointed judge of the city court of Baker be fore he was elected mayor of New ton. A special message from Gov. Terrell asking for the consideration of several matters not included in the chief executive’s annual communica tion, was read. The message included the report of the board of arbitrators in the claim of the heirs of Sherman J. Sims, a recommendation for caring for the Confederaie dead at Marietta, and an appropriation to cover the de- j licit of $5,000 in the funds of the i state adjutants office, caused by the j Atlanta and Macon riots. The claim | of the Sims heirs began a number of years ago when the Northeastern rail- j road was sold by the state to the | Southern railway. When the Northeast- j ern railroad was first built Sherman J. Sims and his family were given passes during their lives for the right j of way secured through Sims’ lands. When the Southern bought the road these passes were cancelled and the heirs brought suit. The claim wa3 contended in the legislature for years until last session, when a resolution was adopted providing for the appoint ment of a board to arbitrate the claims. The report of the board "laces the value of the right of way at $769, with interest amounting to $406.40. Among the more important meas ures which were introduced in the brief Saturday session of the house, preceding the inauguration of Gover nor Smith, was a b'ill by Messrs. Boyd of Spalding and a half dozen other members, which provides for biennial sessions of the general assembly in stead of annual sessions, as is now the case. Another general measure was that of Mr. McMullen of Hart, which * provides for a sta.e automobile law and which is almost identical with that of Mr. Felder of Bibb, in the house last session, with the possible exception that it is required “that when a machine comes to a halt all machinery shall be stopped and the noise abated.” Another important bill in this number was that of Mr. Barks dale of Wilkes- calling for the crea tion of a “bureau of insurance legisla tive information.” The recent agita tion on the subject of insurance and the need of commensurate legislation with it* problems has caused Mr. Barksdale to call for this bureau for the purpose of ascertaining exactly what laws are needed on this sub ject in Georgia. At this very brief ses sion of the house the last message of Governor Terrell was read and brought his administration to a happy close by the announcement that the agricul tural college which he advocated for establishment in south Georgia at Val dosta, had secured a desirable site ana an additional appropriation of SSO, 000 from that city and her citizens. A communication was also received from Governor Terrell stating that the “lost” papers pertaining to the con tested seat of Representative Rogers the negro member from Mclntosh county, had been found in the execu tive office and were transmitted with a number qf affidavits to the house for action. This elicited from Mr. Hal of Bibb the motion that the commit tee on privileges and elections be ap pointed immediately by the speaker and the contest referred to that body at once. Speaker Slaton appointed this, his first committee, with Mr. Rus sell of Muscogee as chairman. Deciding that all business had been transacted until the appointment of committees, the senate Saturday morn ing voted for adjournment until Wed nesday morning, at 10 o’clock, in order to give the president time to make up his committees. The senate then up his committees. The introduction of an automobile bill by Senator Hud son created considerable comment. The senate then heard a special mes sage from Governor Terrell, in which he asked that, the body confirm the additional appointment of T. T. Jones, solicitor of the county court of Stew art county, to fill the unexpired term, ending 1909. This was confirmed in executive session. A recess was taken until 11:25 o’clock. Upon being again called to order, the senators, lend by Secretary Northen, marched in a body to the house, preparatory to the in augural exercises. The first week’s session of the gen eral assembly will go down in history as reform week from the fac; that the house was completely swamped with bills of reform, bills looking for ward to prohibition legislation, automo bile legislation, cigarette legislation, child labor and anti-pass measures. On the subject of prohibition there were just six bills introduced, five in the house of representatives and one in the senate. It took just thirty minutes for the house to meet Monday morning, have prayer, adopt the journal of Saturday, introduce and read for the first time nineteen bills and adjourn until Tues day. Until Speaker Slaton announces his committees, the house cannot get down to business. During the/ brief session there were introduced two gen eral bills which will be of great in terest and the first of svhich will rev olutionize the Educational sysfem of Georgia. This measure was introduc ed by Messrs. Candler of DeKalb county and Holder of Jackson, amend ing the constitution of the state rela tive to the school system of Georgia so that the section which relates thereto carrying the words “in the ele mentary branches of English educa tion only” shall be stricken out, and, when amended, shall read: “There shall be a thorough system of common schools for the education of children in Georgia, as nearly uniform as prac ticable, the expenses of which shall be provided by taxation or otherwise. These schools shall be free to all chil dren alike, but there shall be separate schools for both white and black.” The second general measure of great importance read for the first time was by Messrs. Holder and Flanigan of Jackson county, providing for the es tablishment of a state institution for the care of feeble-minded and epileptic children. A third important measure offered was that of Messrs. Warnell and Burkhalter of Tattnall county, and is timed at Sunday cheap rate excur sions. In it there is provided that no tickets be sold on railroads at less rate for travel on Sunday than any other day, and makes the violation of this act punishable as for a misde meanor \ ON CHARGE OF EMBEZZLEMENT President of a Defunct Insurance Company is Placed on Trial. It became know:? at Minneapolis on Thursday that J. W. Barnes, the pres ident of the defunct Minnesota Title Insurance and Trust oompany, was arrested Wednesday charged with em bezzling $13,000 of the funds of the company.
