Newspaper Page Text
Cotton Market:
following was ruling
Addling, prices here yesterday:
13 3-4 rts.
Good mid
VOL. NO. 48
RE DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS BRINGS UP HOT ISSUE
pAL MEMRERS OF CITY COUNCIL AND MAYOR CLASH
Mayor Smith Strongly Opposed to Purchase of
Old Clark Banking Co. Site.
citizens oppose purchase.
Last Session of City Council Was
Warmest Ever Held in This
City Tuesday Night.
For the past month the question of
■the city buying headquarters for the
ire department has been under con
oration by the city officials and
!evera l places have been suggested
jud recommended the for council that something purpose.
At a meeting of
lie a month ago a proposal was made
lor the city to purchase the building
formerly occupied by the Clark Bank
jug company, but now the property
of the Bank of Newton County, for
sum of $3,000. The property was
offered the city on terms of f 1,000
payable January 1, 1910; $1,000 paya¬
ble January 1, 1911, and $1,000 paya¬
ble January 1, 1912. The deferred
payments to bear interest at the rate
of6 per cent per annum. At that
time the advisability of the purchase
m gone into and after considerable
! discussion and a failure of the mem¬
bers of the council and the mayor to
agree, the question was tabled for fu¬
ture consideration. The County Com¬
missioners were also approached
about the city using the lot in the
rear of the court house for the pur¬
pose of erecting the fire departments
headquarters thereon, and the Com¬
missioners agreed to let them have it
without eost for the erection a build¬
ing on it. It was estimated at that
time that the building could be placed
thereon at a cost of something less
than one thousand dollaija.
The definite disposition of the mat¬
ter was to have taken, place at the
regular meeting of the council last
Tuesday night, hut when a motion
was made that the city purchase the
Olark Banking Co. property, one of
the hottest discussions ever brough t
forth in the council chamber follow¬
ed. A ballot was taken and it was
found that Mayor Smith was strongly
Keep What You Reap!
Good Crops, High Prices
For your produce are of no lasting
benefit if you spend every year all
That they bring you. Make your
successful harvest do more than car
r y you until the next one. Deposit
the proceeds of this crop with us and
check it out as your needs require it
ail, l see to it that there is a surplus
a t the end of a years time
A Clear Profit on Your Business
We will keep your money safe,
gh e you every consistent accommoda=
turn and co-operate with you in every
Wa y possible to make your farm pay
y°u greater dividends than it has ever
( h>ne before. Call to see us.
First National Bank
Covington, Georgia.
Cwwgtflii Wong I
opposed to the measure as also were
Councilmen J. R. Stephenson and A.
S. McGarity. Four of the councilmen
were as strongly in favor of the pur¬
chase, Messrs. C. C. Brooks, Edward
Heard, F. E. Heard and J. H. Echols.
A motion was made by Mr. Brooks
that the mayor be overruled in the
matter and that the mayor pro tem,
Mr. Edward Heard, be given power
to close the deal. Mr. Heard stated
that he would sign the order if the
motion was carried. A hot argument
followed the motion, which was lost.
A warm discussion came up and an
effort was made to get the mayor to
support the motion, which he flatly
refused to do, giving as his reason
therefor that the city already had an
outstanding debt amounting to ap¬
proximately $16,000.00, a bonded debt
of $85,000.00 and that he did not see
the advisability of putting the city
practically three thousand dollars
further behind the game for head¬
quarters for the fire department when
a suitable place could be obtained for
fully a third less. For these reasons
he was opposed to it, and as long as
he was mayor of Covington it should
not be bought, or if it was it would
be on an order from the courts.
Saturday afternoon an investiga¬
tion was made by the members of the
council favoring the purchase to see
if it would be possible to overrule the
mayor and instruct the clerk to sign
the notes for the city. The investi¬
gation showed that this could be done
but it also developed the fact that
the Mayor could file a bill of injunc¬
tion against the clerk signing the
notes and consummating the sale,
and he immediately instructed the
clerk as to what would be done incase
he, the clerk, signed them. During
the investigation it was asked the city
attorney if the fact that a member of
the city council was a stockholder in
the company now owning the prop¬
erty did not disqualify him from vot¬
ing for the purchase of the property
by the city. The attorney stated
COVINGTON, GEORGIA, NOVEMBER 10, 1909.
that it did not keep the vote from
counting unless an objection was
made at the time the vote was cast.
The matter is being freely discuss¬
ed by the citizens of the city and as
far as we are able to ascertain fully
three fourths of them are with the
mayor in his fight against the pur¬
chase of the property. They all be¬
lieve that buying the building under
ordinary circumstances would be a
splendid investment, but do not think
that under the existing conditions of
the city’s financial condition it would
be wise for them to buy it at this par¬
ticular time.
In order that we might get in touch
with the sentiment of the people of
the city a reporter of this paper went
out Saturnay afternoon and asked the
following gentlemen what their views
were on the matter and they had the
following to say about it:
When asked what he thought of the
purchase of this property by the city
Mr. G. T. Smith said: “In the
present financial condition I
it very unwise for them to
this building for headquarters of
fire department.”
Mr. C. S. Thompson, cashier of the
Bank of Covington, said: “I consider
the purchase of this building very un¬
wise, considering the present heavy
taxes of the city, when some other
place just as desirable at much less
cost can be secured. I think the
most advisable plan would be to rent
a building for a few years. It shows
little business management to put
money into a building which would
not be suitable for the purpose after
the purchase. The building is entire¬
ly too short for a home for the fire
department.”
Dr. N. Z. Anderson, a prominent
physician and president of the First
National Bank, said: “I am dead
against the city purchasing this prop
erty for $3000. There seems to be lit¬
tle business shown in the affairs
the city, when a place in the rear
the court house can be equipped
equally as well at a eost of about one
third that of the purchase price
this building.”
Mr. A. N. Hays, a prominent citizen
and fertilizer manufacturer, said
“While I am not in a position to know
what the needs of a fire department
headquarters require, still, I am of
the opinion that in view of the city’s
financial condition at present, that
it’s a little too much to invest in
property of that kind.”
Mr. John Taylor, one of the city’s
heavy tax papers, had the following
to say: “I am very much opposed to
the city purchasing this expensive
building for the fire department head¬
quarters when her present indebted¬
ness is so near the limit.”
Mr. C. A. Sockwell, connected with
the Newton County Oil Mill, said:
“Until we get the requirements of the
Southeastern Tariff Association I
don’t care to be quoted as to the best
thing for the city to do. If they do
not require this I am in favor of a
cheaper place.”
Mr. E. O. Lee, owner of more rent¬
able houses than kny other citizen of
the city, said in part: “Yes, I am
against any such action of the council
and believe nine out of every ten cit¬
izens of the city are, too. The city
could with very little cost prepare a
place which would answer equally as
well. There are other places which
could be secured at a very small eost
which would be ample headquarters
Mr. D. A. Thompson, warehouse¬
man and one of the heaviest tax pay¬
ers of the city, said: “While I have
ho objection to the price placed on
the building offered the city for fire
headquarters, I do not think the city
should at present put that much mon¬
ey out at interest for the people to
pay under the present high tax rate.”
Mr. S. P. Thompson, president of
the Bank of Covington and former
mayor of the city, said when ap¬
proached by a News reporter: “Un¬
der the present financial conditions
of the city treasury and the heavy
tax rate we are now paying, and with
many more places just as suitable at
a much less cost, I think it very un¬
wise management of the city’s affairs
to invest something like $3,5000 for a
place to put the fire company. With
much less cost other places suggested
could be made very suitable for the
location of the fire company.”
When the mayor, Mr. Chas. G.
Smith, was asked about the matter
he said:
“I regard the transaction as a reck¬
less use of the people’s money. In
the first place the city does not need
this building for a fire department,
five hundred dollars would answer
every purpose. Everyone knows that
(Continued on last page.)
MR. H. b. anoerson
STRICKEN SUNDAY.
One of the Best Known and Loved
Citizens Died at Home in
This City at Noon.
Mr. H. Branham Anderscm, a man
known and loved by all the people of
this city and county, was stricken
with paralysis at his home in this
city at an early hour Sunday morn¬
ing, from which he did not rally,
death following as a relief to his suf¬
ferings about noon.
It would be a difficult undertaking
and oue which would fall far short
of what we intend should we endea¬
vor to enumerate the many noble
traits of character, the open-hearted
disposition, and the willingness with
which Mr. Anderson always helped
with during his entire life. He was
truly a model citizen and a friend to
every cne, willing and anxious to
make life’s walk easy for his fellow
man, to extend an encouraging word
and assistance to all in
made no difference whether for
friend or a stranger he gladly did
what he could for them, without os¬
tentation or expectation of reward
His was truly a friendly and helpful
influence and one which will be sadly
missed by more people than the pass
age of any other citizen would cause
The writer knew Mr. Anderson and
had the privilege of calling him
friend. We, like many another citi¬
zen, will miss his hearty handshake
and words of encouragement. He
possessed that unusual sense of not
having to be told of anothers misfor¬
tunes and who was never known
wait for someone else to first lend the
helping hand.
Mr. Anderson was held in the high¬
est esteem by the entire population
of Covington, Newton county and
everywhere else he was known. Sev¬
eral times during his life he has held
important and responsible positions
of honor tendered him by the citizens
of this county. He was sheriff of this
county for several years, served the
county as ordinary, held the position
of postmaster of Covington, was the
first man elected as warden of the
federal prison in Atlanta, and has
been identified for years as one of
the most substantial and honorable
citizens of the city.
Some time ago Mr. Anderson had a
stroke of paralysis which was shortly
followed by the second one, and since
that time he had never regained his
strength entirely, it having left him
partially without use of himself. On
Sunday morning he was taking a bath
and his little daughter who was in the
next room heard him call her, and she
immediately ran into the room, but
he had already received his last call
and was unconscious when she got to
him. Dr. Anderson was called and in
a few minutes was doing all in his
power to alleviate the sufferings of
the stricken man but all efforts were
in vain, and he did not regain con¬
sciousness or rally from the' shock.
He died at noon.
Mr. Anderson leaves a wife, two
daughters, a number of relatives and
host of friends to cherish his men
ory, and in the long evenings to med¬
itate on the noble disposition and life¬
long practices of one of the best men
has ever claimed as a cit¬
The funeral occurred at the Baptist
of which he was a member
one of the deacons, Monday af¬
the interment taking place
West View cemetery. ,
COTTON DROPPED.
Last Thursday the Price Went Down on
Spot Cotton About 50 Points.
Both the buyers and the farmers
bringing cotton to this city were con¬
siderably jarred last Thursday when
the quotation reached the city that
cotton had dropped something like
fifty points during the day.
A lot of the staple came to town
that day and the sellers expected the
market to be somewhere around fif¬
teen cents per pound. When the price
began to drop they decided not to sell
and quite a bit of it was placed in the
warehouse.
Well, we are at it again, making
those same good oyster stews like we
made so many last season. Try one
when in town and wanting something
to eat and then you need not be
afraid of acute indigestion from eat¬
ing your dinner in town.— Parkers
Place.
Shoes for men, boys and children
at Cohen’s.
former warden
ACQUITTED THURSDAY
Mr. J. M. Davis, Charged With
Intimacy With Convict,
Found Not Guilty.
Mr. J. M. Davis, former warden of
the county convict camp, was tried
at the session of the City Court which
convened last week, and the verdict
of the jury was “Not Guilty.”
During the first part of August Mr.
Davis was locked up in a ear in which
a negro woman convict was kept and
charges were made against him. A
true bill was returned by the grand
jury ip September charging him with
adultery. He gave bond and returned
last week for trial.
It developed during the trial that
he was discharged the same morning
of the incident and since that
time he has been in Tift county
where he has held a position with the
agricultural college at that place.
He left immediately after his acquit¬
Mr. Davis is a former resident of
county, and came back here dur¬
the month of March to take charge
the convict camp for this county.
has always been considered a
and moral gentlemen, and has a
number of friends in this city
county who are gratified at the
of the jury in exonerating
him, contending all the time that he
had done nothing to be censured for.
In his statement at the trial Mr.
Davis gave as his reason for having
been in the car that he was there at¬
tending to his duty, as he was trying
to catch someone else who been in
the habit of coming to the camp and
meddling with the convicts.
Plumbing Contract Let.
The contract for the water and
sewer connections in the county jail
was let last week and Shirley Brothers
will do the work. They are just com¬
pleting the work at the court ‘house
and will begin this new contract
sometime during the week.
Dry Pine Wood delivered anywhere
in town. Phone 141-J, or apply to S.
A. BROWN, City.—tf.
Still We Grow!
Why?
Because
This is a strong, careful, and safe and
successful institution. It is a growing,
active, up-to-date Bank in Every
Particular.
Your account will be appreciated
by the bank and your interests will
always be carefully considered.
Our Funds are guarded by a mod¬
ern equipment and all covered by
burglar insurance.
Our officers are experienced bank¬
ers. Our directors are all well known,
well-to-do business men; they are
directors who DIRECT.
If you are not a customer of this Bank let
this be an invitation to become one.
The Bank of Covington
Covington, Georgia.
CAPITAL $ 100 , 000.00
PIANO FREE
The News is going to
give some lady in this
county a handsome
$350 Schulz piano on
Dec. 22, 1909.
$1. A Year In Advance.
THE CHICKEN SHOW
WILL DRAW CROWD
People of City And Surrounding
Country Are Becoming
Interested.
Interest in the Poultry Show to be
held here on the 7-8-9 of December is
growing and every day additional
entries are coming in from this city
and county. Birds are also being en¬
tered from Walton and Rockdale
counties, as the show is to include
specimens from the three counties,
and it is confidently expected that as
fine a collection of chickens, pigeons
and turkeys will be seen here as were
ever exhibited in the state.
While only fowls from the three
counties will be eligible to compete
for the prizes, a large number of the
different varieties and breeds of
chickens will be placed on exhibition
here from fanciers all over the state
who want to enter them as an adver¬
tisement and a lot of them will be for
the show.
While this will be the first of its
to be held here, the people are
falling into line and are be¬
very enthusiastic about it,
every thing they can to make
a success which is now an assured
as practically all the plans have
definitely made and the entries
already reached a flattering
It is confidently expected that there
will be in the neighborhood of two
hundred birds entered which will
make a magnificent showing of thor¬
oughbreds—the good old blue-blooded
stock.
The Association has secured Mr.
Loring Brown, proprietor of the Bel¬
mont Farm, and one of the best poul
trymen in the south to be the judge
for the occasion and the local breed¬
ers know from his reputation that
they will get a square deal all the
way through.
While the arrangements for the
show have been about completed the
members of the Association are not
idle by any means and are busy look¬
ing up entries and boosting it in or¬
der that as large a crowd as possible
will attend.
Anyone having birds they have not
entered can find blanks at the News
office and the Association will be
glad for them to make their entries.