Newspaper Page Text
Chf (Hmmuffon Nvroa
Published Every Wednesday.
OFFICIAL ORGAN NEWTON CO.
Lon. L. Flowers & Edwin Taylor,
Editors and Publishers.
All legal advertisements positively
must be paid for in advance.
SUBSCRIPTION RATES
One Year................................................$1.00
Six Months................................................50c
Three Months........................................25c
Advertising Kates Furnished on Application.
Entered as second-class matter De¬
cember 3, 1908, at the post office at
Covington, Ga., under the Act of
March 3, 1879.
COVINGTON, GA., March 24, 1909
Line up with the progressive bunch
and watch Covington grow.
The time is almost here for the con¬
victs from the state to arrive.
Any way you take it Covington is
the best all-round town in the state.
The season is almost here for trans¬
parent costumes and fire-cracker
hosiery.
From all over the country comes
the intelligence that graft is a pretty
common thing.
It would seem that there is nothing
doing with a board of trade for Cov¬
ington any time soon.
A canning factory would be a pro¬
fitable acquisition to Covington’s
coterie of enterprises.
The columns of this paper are
always open to the discussion of ques¬
tions of public interest.
The grand Jury returned sixty-five
bills of indictment one day last week
and didn’t work over time either.
The City Court hail enough true
bills handed out to it by the grand
jury last week to keep busy for quite
a while.
The recommendation of the Grand
Jury that the county issue bonds for
public road improvement seems to
have struck a popular chord.
Atlanta has been having a time in
fixing the hour for the closing of her
ni-beer joints. She should be like Cov¬
ington, make the time limit a cipher.
Our citizens occasionally get divided
on some questions of public interest
but they always get together in the
wind-up and harmony is restored at all
times.
With the grand jury in session, the
ditch-digging machine raising sand
and the carnival question being agita¬
ted last week, things begun to look
warm indeed.
Is it the day of the Bill Howards?
There is Bill Howard Taft, our Augus¬
ta citizen, Congressman Bill Howard
of the Eighth, and prospective Con¬
gressman Bill Howard, of the Fifth.
—Sandersville Progress.
In all probability Booker T. Wash¬
ington will be the next republican
referee in the south. Taft has already
told him that he wanted his advice on
appointments in the south. That
looks like breaking the Solid South,
now don’t it?
The editors of this paper may get
on the wrong side of public issues
sometimes, but we will always follow
our convictions, no matter who it
comflicts with, and will ever strive to
do something for the advancement of
conditions as we see them.
We have been criticised by some of
the influential (?) citizens of the coun¬
ty recently on the stand we have tak¬
en in regard to the publishing of re¬
ports from the commissioners. We
appreciate this criticism, and possibly
next time will ask their advice (?)
about which side of a question of
public interest we will espouse.
The Conyers Times, edited by Har¬
per Bros., is fast becoming one of the
foremost weekly papers in the state.
They believe in getting out a good,
clean newspaper and boosting the ad¬
vantages of their immediate section.
They should receive the hearty sup¬
port of every man in Rockdale county.
Their paper is the livest wire Conyers
ever had.
Strange things sometimes leak out
from a grand jury room. This time
this able body recommended that the
presentments be published in both the
county papers and that each be paid
the sum of f-i-v-e d-o-l-l-a-r-s for same.
Now what do you think of that. A
county as prosperous as Newton is to
recommend that newspapers be re
quested to carry a $15.00 advertisment
for only $5.
PUBLICATION OF REPORTS MATTER TAKES REST.
In perusing the general presentments of the grand jury which
convened last week we find nothing as regards the recommendation of
the session of that body last September in reference to the publication
of the reports of the county clerk each month showing how much money
has been paid out on approved bills. It w T as expected by a large num¬
ber of our citizens that they would reiterate the recommendation of last
year, tnere being a strong sentiment in this county favoring publicity
in public affairs. In this class you will find the NEWS. We believe
the reports should be published as a matter of information to the tax¬
payers that they can always see just the condition of the county’s af¬
fairs and for what purposes their money is being used. We believe
that should the reports be published no embarrassment would ever
arise with any of the officials in whose hands the business of county is
entrusted, and in no case would, they be criticised by the people—their
constituents—as their transactions would always be before the people.
Aside from these facts, under the present system there is absolutely no
way for the majority of the people to get the information they desire
without the necessity of asking the clerk to show them through their
minutes, which is embarrassing not only to the person desiring the in¬
formation but to the clerk as well, as it leaves the impression that there
is either doubt as to his ability or lack of confidence in him as an offi¬
cial. This is not just to either party and why the reports are not pub¬
lished is the cause of a great deal of conjecture on the part of the peo¬
ple. Surely we see no reason for the determined effort not to have
them published.
The recommendation of the grand jury last September has, up to
the present, been ignored. For the benefit of our readers we reproduce
that part of their recommendation, taken from a file of the minutes:
‘'We also recommend that the board of Commissioners pub¬
lish the expenditures monthly of every approved bill.”
It appears to us that a recommendation from the grand jury of any
county should be adhered to, especially when it is possible to do so at
an advantage, as it would be in this case. Not only has this recommen¬
dation been ignored, but it has been treated with silent contempt in so
far as the public is concerned.
In almost every case where the system has been used to keep the
facts from the people, petty graft has resulted. We do not mean to in¬
timate that such is the case here, but we do say that it could easily be
done with absolutely no way to unearth it. Under the present system
it is just a matter of time until some man is elected who will take ad
vantage of his office and the system and use it for his personal gain.
It has been done in a number of cases and just a short while ago true
bills were found against the commissioners of Hall county for just this
kind of system, and the manipulation of business passing through their
hands. Certain it is that all the argument is in favor of publicity and
we believe the majnrity of Newton county voters are with us in their
desire to have the recommendation of the grand jury of last September
carried out as was intended by them. During the past week the rumor
was current upon the streets that the grand jury then in session was
investigating some irregularity in the affairs of the county and that
something startling would likely be the outcome. Neither at the time
the report was circulated, or now, for that matter did we believe such
to be the case, but when the people know absolutely nothing about the
affairs when a report of this kind gets started it rapidly gains credence
and when once started will be kept up for a long time. This is natur¬
ally embarrassing to the gentlemen composing this body and is regret¬
table from every standpoint.
Nearly all the counties in the state have their reports published and
the grand juiy of last September recommended that Newton county’s be
published, and the News believes they should be published.
This is written with no desire to criticise the grand jury . of last
week. Neither is it written with a desire to embarrass the Commission¬
ers. This county has a set of officials any county should be proud of,
but the people think it is about time they were realizing that the time
has come when their desires should receive attention, especially in this
instance.
UNJUST RECOMMENDATION.
At the close of the session of the
Grand Jury last week their last recom¬
mendation was, that ‘‘these present¬
ments be published in the county
papers at a cost not exceeding five
dollars for each paper.” We consider
this one of the most unjust recom¬
mendations ever made by a body of
intelligent business men. Advertis¬
ing space in this paper is the same to
the proprietors as the merchandise is
to the merchant, the cotton to the
farmer and the interest to a bank, and
is the only way that they can obtain
a livelihood. Generally the merchant
makes his own prices for his com¬
modities and the banker fixes his own
rate of interest. But in the case of
the ‘‘recommendation” above ref erred
to the paper has absolutely no say-so
whatever as to the value of its adver¬
tising space. We publish the present¬
ments according to the ‘‘recommen¬
dation” but just at this time we would
like to make a suggestion to the next
Grand Jury that they use in place of
a recommendation that they be pub¬
lished and paid five dollars therefor,
that this paper be ‘‘requested” to
publish them, charging nothing for its
service. We are naturally charitably
inclined but when we give anything to
charity we like to do it in a whole
hearted way and not in the form of a
forced gift.
A Black Referee.
According to the Washington Post,
President Taft “told Booker T. Wash¬
ington, the negro educator, who had
received a commission from President
Roosevelt to visit the negro republic
of Liberia, that he preferred he would
remain in this country, to be called
upon for advice in the matter of
appointments.”
j Now, how does that strike brother
Rufe Rhodes, of the same State from
which Booker registers? How does it
fit those alleged Georgia Democrats
who are afflicted with Taftitis? How
does it—or does it—dovetail in with
the programme for “smashing the
solid South?”
We have been told that the white
“referees” were going to be abolished.
Is there going to be a single black
referee?
All right; “smash the solid South”
will you?—Macon Telegraph.
T H fi COVINGTON NEWS
THE LAW A PLAYTHING.
It will be remembered that* a few
years ao Judge Landis imposed a fine
aggregating $29,200,000 on the Stand¬
ard Oil Compay for giving rebates to
a favorite shipper. This is just an¬
other instance in which a trial was
had and a fine imposed, after which
the case was carried up from one
court to another until the whole thing
was thrown out of court on a techni¬
cality, where the lawers use the law
as a thing to be played with and not
as a source of justice. It is truly a
deplorable condition when it is impos¬
sible for a corporation who violates
the law to be punished. They are able
to employ the best legal talent and it
seems that ther is nothing a good law¬
yer cannot do with the law when he is
paid enough.
The trouble is that we have entirely
too many courts, and in every instance
the advantage is with the man who
has offended the law. If he is con¬
victed he secures a lawyer, appeals
the case, finds a technicality and the
end is that he is acquitted on the
technicality. It is a pretty farce in
come cases, especially the one refer¬
red too, and is no doubt intensely in¬
teresting and enjoyable to the Octopus,
but for good, solid, hard-working citi¬
zen, it has come to be very grating.
What the the country needs is less
courts and less technicalities.
That Silver wheel — universally !
known as a dollar—is going to be the
cause of many a poor soul taking the
down-hill path It will cause you to do
wonderful things,one of the worst is to
act the hypocrite.—Butts County lb-o¬
gress.
For Leave to Sell.
GEORGIA, Newton County:
Notice is hereby given that the undersigned
has applied to A. D. Meador, Ordinary of said
county. For Leave To Sell the laud belonging to
the estate of Henry McDaniel, late of said coun¬
ty, deceased, for the payment of debts and dis¬
tribution among the legatees, said application
will he heard at the regular term of the Court of
Ordinary for said county to be held on the first
Monday in April next.
This March 1st, 1909.
S. D. McDaniel.
Executor of the Estate ol Henry McDaniel.
Deceased.
Heard It Said—
That Covington has a chicken-heart¬
lot of aldermen, who turn tail at
criticism.
That when it come to getting manu¬
facturing enterprises Covington is too
slow to catch a cold.
That Covington needs a first-class,
modern brick hotel for the .accommo¬
dation off people coming here.
That the street overseer of this city
will have a hard time and get a lot of
‘cussin” during the next six months.
That the reason the city doesn’t
want to publish a report of the
financial affairs is that the showing
would not be a good one.
That some people in Covington
would kick if the guardian angel of
heaven should descend and gather
them up on wings of paradice.
That the bridge between the city
and the Georgia Railroad depot is
likely to fall through at any time.
The sills are said to be rotten.
That in some way there has been a
serious misunderstanding between
some of our county officials. That
publishing reports might tend to keep
down such misunderstanding.
That Mayor Smith followed the
desire of the council in giving the
carnival permission to come her , and
that when there was a littie criticism
the members of the council who
approved it at first “ran in a hole like
a ground-squirrel.”
That the city’s books should be
audited by some competent public
accountant and start the new clerk
off with departments for each branch
of the city’s affairs. It is always
embarrassing for a new clerk to take
the books under the present system
and he is always placed at a disad¬
vantage.
| LEGAL ADVERTISEMENTS.
Citation.
GF.ORGIA. Newton Countv :
Mrs. Bessie Sain, having: made application for
Twelve Months Support, out of the estate of Jas.
P. Sain and appraisers, duly appointed to set
apart, same having filed their returns, all persons
coneernad are hereby required to show cause be¬
fore the court of Ordinary, of said County, on
the first Monday in April next, why said appli¬
cation should not lie granted.
This March 1st, 1909.
A. D. MEADOR, Ordinary.
For Administrator.
GEORGIA, Newton County :
Mrs. Bessie Sain, having made application to
have J, J. Corley appointed permanent adminis¬
trator upon the estate of Jas. P. Sain; late of said
county, notice is hereby given that said applica¬
tion will be heard at the regular term of the
Court of Ordinary, to be held in and for said
county on the first Monday in April next.
Witness my hand and official signature, this
March 1st, 1909.
A. D. MEADOR, Ordinary.
Notice To Debtors And Creditors.
All persons having claims against the estate of
II. II. Armstrong, late of said count}', deceased,
are hereby notified to render in such claims for
payment within the time prescribed by law.
And all persons indebted to said estate are requir¬
ed to make immediate payment.
This, February, 1, 1909.
JESSE P. ARMSTRONG, Executor.
Administrator’s sale.
GEORGIA. Newton County.
By virtue of the authority vested in me by the
last will and testament of Mark Poison deceased,
will be sold before the court house door in the
city of Covington, at public outcry, to the highest
and best bidder, between the legal hours of sale,
on the first Tuseday, in April, 1909, the following
real estate belonging to the estate of Mark Poi¬
son deceased to-wit. One hundred and thirty
seven aeres of land known as the Mark Poison
place,, in said county, being the place on which
he resided at the time of his death; bounded on
the north by H. C. Hyatt; east by Henry Hyatt;
south by W. G. Turner and West by Owens and
Almand. Sold for the purpose of paying debts
and distribution and division among the legates
under the will of Mark Poison. Terms cash.
This land is rented out and the purchaser will
get the rent for the year 1909. Possession given
immediately subject to the rights of the tenant.
March 9, 1909.
JOHNATHAN POI.SCN.
Administrator debonis non with the will an¬
nexed of Mark Poison deceased.
Administrator’s Sale.
GEORGIA, Newton County.
By virtue of an order granted at the March
Term 1909 of the Ordinary’s Court of Newton
County, there will be sold on the first Tuesday in
April, 1909. within the legal hours of sale, on the
premises in the town of Mansfield, the following
described property to-wit;
Bounded by W. E. Harwell and others, S. 45 E.
1036; Second Ave.. N. 59 and tliree:eights, E. 392;
N. 30 W. 208; W. C. Benton, N. 54 and three-eights
E. 316: N. 28. W. 78; W. N. Blake N. 59and three
eights FJ. 2. 62; R. G. Franklin, S. 28, FJ.78; N. 59
and three-eights, 105; N23 W. 78; R. G. Eranklin
and A. 1,. Gaither, N. 59 three-eights, E. 347; A.
B. Thompson N. 30 and one-fourth, w. 645 ft: S.
62 and-fourth, W. 17; N. 33 and one-fourth W.
Mansfield I.umber Co., S. 71 and one-half W.
742 ft; N. 52 andone-aight, W. 29 6;F. M. Hodgins
S. 34 and three-fourth W. 196; S. 38 and oue-eight,
W. 530; S. 32 and one-half W. 201 to rock.
Said property belonging to the estate of the
late H. H. Armtsrong deceased. This property
has been divided into town lots, and will be sold
to the higest bidder as sub-divided.
A platt of this property and the subdivision of
the same in to lots can be seen at J. C. Harwell's
store in the town of Mansfield. Terms of sate
made known on the date of sate.
JESSfe P. ARMSTRONG,
Executor Estate H. H. Armstrong deseased.
NOTICE.
Agreement between W. C. Salter,
Sr., and undersigned;
“This is to certify that we, the un¬
dersigned, waive all claims to the
wages of our son, Harvie, and give
him sole right to make trades and
collect his wages.
This 2nd day of October, C. 1908.
4t. Mr. J. Ellis. (L. S.)
Mrs. Manda Ellis. (L. S.)
Hot and Gold Drinks
At SMITHS DRUG STORE
' line of Stationery,
also a nice
Cigars and Tobacco.
Fine Candies Always Fresh, f
Geo. T. Smith, COVINGTON, GEORGIA.
►♦•♦•♦•♦•♦•♦♦♦j
You
I Won’t need Coal Hereafter, but if ♦ j
I this cold weather keeps up you will
I need it before the winter is over, j
J Better get it now. Buy it from j
} Godfrey and j
| Save the Difference. I !
i P. W. GODFREY
I
J Successor to 11. P. Lester, Coal Dealer, j
i ;
-3 The Only White Barber Shop In;
Covington, Georgia. |
•3
Is better prepared than ever to serve the
people of this section, with new equip¬
ment, hot and cold towels, and three
§ good White Barbers to wait on you.
Come to see us, always glad to see You.
W.J. GOBER, Proprietor.
OPPRESSING CLUB W
M. I. PERDUE, PROPRIETOR.
EIGHT SUITS ONE DOLLAR
Cleaning Pressing and Dyeing
ON SHORT NOTICE
& Wook done by proprietor, a white man of 10 years experience. Give
me a trial. SWORDS BUILDING, Covington, Ga.
“ASK OUR PLEASED CUSTOMERS”
AAAA AAAA ****
' BEST
JELLICO COAL
V V * I V• v
We deliver the best Jelico Coal to your residence
promptly at the lowest price and will appreciate your
orders. Better get enough to finish out the winter before
the price advances and the weather gets cold. Office at
Heard White & Company.
a.a.A.a.a
A. N. HAYS, Covington, Ca.
I