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V The^ Fitzgerald Leader. Est&folisHecl 1896. VOL. II. JOHN B. VINCENT, Attorney-at-Law. Lunbcrger Building, Cor. Pino and Grant St., Fitzgerald, : : Georgia. CHENEY & BURCH, ATTORNEY-AT-LAW, Office— In Paulk Building, GrantStreet, FITZGERALD GEORGIA. E.W.Ryman, L. Kennedy, Of South Dakota. Of Savannah. RYMAN & KENNEDY, Office— In Fitzgerald Block. JAY & HENDERSON, Attorney-at-Law, Fitzgerald, Georgia. Office— In the Slayton & Kern building on Pine avenue. W. F. THOMPSON, CORDELE, GEORGIA. DR. J. H. POWELL, (Late of the Best American Hospitals) Specialist in Chronic Diseases Of A-Ieii and 'Women, Office, S. Grant street, near Magnolia. (Per¬ manently located.) W. J. LAYMAN & CO., Real Estate & Insuranc Agents ,} Loans ZZcgo tiated. Irant Street, Fitzgerald, Georgia. Drs. C. A, A L> C- Holtsendorf, 1 DXSHTf Office— In Slayton & Kern building’, oppo- ce Commercial hotel* Fitzgerald, Ga .Ehone 21 . PINE STREET Meat Market Carries a full line of Fresh and Salted Meats of every description. Armour’s celebrated .Western Beef always on hand. Turkeys and Chickens bought and sold. H. L. BEAUCHAMP, Proprietor. WE List - Property > =y AND ====+ Pay : Taxes Fornon-roaident property owners. Small and large tracts of land for sale. Enclose stamp giving full information. F, WILLIAMS, SON & CO, Fiaagerald, Ga, Real EstateDealers. OPTICIAN Have your eyes fitted by John Ad¬ ams, a man that lias had twenty-seven years experience. I have the best as¬ sortment of goods in the city. Gen¬ eral line of optical goods in stock. Lenses, spectacle and eye glass frames, cases, also opera and field glasses, tel¬ escopes. barometers, microscope, com¬ passes, etc. JOHN ADAMS, GRANT street, FITZGERALD, G A. 43 For Tailor Suits CALL ON E. J. DANCY, Fine At-, Next Door to Commercial Hotel A perfect fit guaranteed. A trial is all I ask. Allgarments cut and made on premises. • Cleaning. Repairing and Pressing a Specialty WHY HO TO ATLANTA To have your Eyes fitted with glasses? You can save time and money by call¬ ing at Baldwin’s, the Eye Specialist, Have who is a graduate optician. a room especially for examining the eyes. Headache, vision blurred, can¬ not read by lamplight, can be relieved by proper glasses. Take no chances, but have»your eyes fitted with glasses ■correctly. C. S. BALDWIN, Two Dooas East of Postnffice, Fitzgerald, ! : Georgia. “MAN WAS BORN TO HUSTLER.” FITZGERALD, IRWIN COUNTY, GEORGIA, DECEMBER 30, 1897. A Happy New Year. Dear reader, “A happy New Year” and a long life of happiness are the best wishes of The Leader. Com¬ mence the New Year with the resolve that you will be better men and women hereafter, and that you will endeavor to make those around you happy. If you are not a religious man, gather your family around you New Year’s morning, and read to them one chapter from the old family bible, or if that is asking too much, read to them from the same book the family record the names of the living and the dead loved ones that are not with you on this, the first day of the New Year. This will perhaps cause tears to fall when you think of the loved ones that are absent. Tears, yes honest tears, are a sure indication, on this occasion, you have not forgot¬ ten the dead and the living, and that there is yet in the deep recesses of your heart a little spring that is bubbling with the love of God. Give this little spring a chance a flow, and our word for it, the New Year will be the hap¬ piest one of your life. To you, young man, we would say, do not put the intoxicating cup to your lips. Whatever may be your future, let it be said that “ on January 1, 1898, I drank no intoxicating liquors.” We ask this in behalf of your dear old mother, who perhaps is not with you now. Boys, try and be a man for your mother’s sake. We’re a Two-Year-Old. With this issue of The Loader we leave behind volume 2 and commence on volume 3. Just two years ago The Leader printing material arrived at Lulaville, the end of the railroad, where we had a number of teams and a small army of men waiting to bring the plant to Fitzgerald. The job was a long and tedious one, but neverthe¬ less we succeeded in bringing every¬ thing across the country without hard¬ ly a single mishap. On January 9th the first copy was turned from The Leader’s big Hoe cylinder press, and not an issue from that day until this has each subscriber failed to get his paper as far as we know. We’re a two-year-old, and we are proud of it. So hereafter we will throw our excessive modesty aside and stand upon our prerogative and speak our mind upon things without fear or favor, and if some don’t like it they can just come and speak to us about it, and we will excuse them. We are not only proud that we are a citi¬ zen of this great Slate, but we are proud that we are a citizen from choice and not from necessity. We are also proud of the fact that we are a citizen of the city of Fitzgerald, a city that possesses all the advantages, both nat¬ ural and acquired, to become the me¬ tropolis of wire-grass Georgia in man¬ ufacture and trade, if her people will only wake up and quit this everlasting and disgusting wrangling. E Pluribus Unum. Subscribe for The Leader. The individual who attempts to do everything seldom succeeds in doing anything well. Life is not long eno ugh to exhaust even one branch of science, art or industry. When one needs anything out of his line of busi¬ ness, it is far better to make the pur¬ chase of an experienced and trust¬ worthy neighbor than to undertake to learn another branch of business, with all its cost of experience. The concern which undertakes to make all the money, to get along without mak¬ ing any purchases of others, and to monopolize all the avenues for profit, generally gets left in the race for wealth. The most successful individ¬ uals and firms are those which have developed a promising specialty, leav¬ ing collateral matters to the attention of their neighbors in trade and in¬ dustry. The possibilities of any one branch of manufacture grow upon in¬ vestigation, and develop rapidly under fostering care. The man who gathers all the profits that are in one branch of legitimate industry can well afford to give his brother in trade a chance as well. _ For all the news, read The Leader. R. H. Mabry, local agent of the Express Co. at Brunswick, skipped out with $14,500. The and Traders Bank has closed its doors and the “ city by the is on the ragged-edge of excite¬ ment. _ A mugwump being defined to an Englishman as “ a republican who votes the democratic ticket,” he quick¬ ly asked: “And what would you call a democrat who voted the republican ticket ?’’ “ 1 would call him a d— fool,” was the correct response. Last Saturday two old comrades met, and in the course of their con¬ versation drifted into politics. They were discussing the present adminis¬ tration, when one of them said : “ I voted for McKinley, and I want you to kick me across the street.” His friend obligingly did so and tlien re¬ marked : “ I voted for him, too, and I want you to kick me back again.” It is needless to say that he was kicked. The Aspen (Colo.) Tribune remarks: After serving sixteen months of a five year sentence in the New Mexico pen¬ itentiary, President S. M. Folsom, who was found guilty of wrecking the First National bank of Albuquerque, has been pardoned by the president. This is the ninth bank president released from prison by Mr. McKinley since he assumed office nine months ago. Those fellows undoubtedly realize what the McKinley wave of prosperity really means. Penalty for Slander. We believe the law is wrpng that makes the penalty for slander a money consideration. The punishment for defaming tbe character of woman should be swift and sure, out when it is in the nature of. a- speculation, the ends of justice are apt to be defeated and the law made the tool of design¬ ing persons. Again this fact will dis¬ tort or at least bewilder the judgment of well-meaning jurors who are unable to determine from the presentation the case whether they are listening to the demand for reparation fora great injury done, or whether it is a well de¬ vised scheme to mulch some one with property who is a little indiscreet in the use of his tongue. Frequently we hear remarks made in regard to woman in idle gossip or vulgar jest, that scattered broadcast might be very hurtful, but if the tattler is not in hearing, such remarks fall dead and meaningless and leave not a stain or blot on the pure character. The spec¬ ulator hears the course flippant or an¬ gry remark—it may be the person at whom the remark is directed, or it may be an attorney who sees a fat fee in the prospective half, immediately the low remark of a foul-mouthed black¬ guard is clothed with a dignity that never belonged to it, and a woman’s character as drawn through the filthy mire of a public trial to whiten it. The law is wrong, because first, no money consideration can compensate a woman for an injury to her charac¬ ter ; second, when she asks such re¬ muneration, it is considered by many a virtual concession that her character is for sale, and weakens her plea for vindication ; third, to deprive a tra- ducer of v Oman’s character of a part of his property is not adequate or ap¬ propriate punishment for the vilest and most cowardly offense that a crea¬ ture in the semblance of a man can be guilty of, and the law deters the chiv¬ alrous impulse of many a true gentle¬ man to drive his fist into the foul, slanderous mouth. Every man that is a man, feels called upon to defend the character of any woman assailed un¬ less he knows she is unworthy, but a character that can be measured by dollars and cents is not a sentiment to call out the finer emotions of chivalry. This class of cases is very common in Georgia, and it involves a heavy ex¬ pense on the tax-payers and we think if the money clause were stricken from the law and the penalty made the same as for larceny and murder combined, it would demands certainly of come nearer satisfying the exact justice. City Plats at The Leader Office. The Record of Nine Months. The McKinley administration has been in power nine months and what is its record: 1. The Dingley tariffhas failed to produce sufficient revenue to pay the expenses of government. The true deficit is over forty-six millions of dol¬ lars. 2. The administration has railed to secure international bimetalism or to make any serious effort to that end. McKinley appointed a commission, but handicapped that commission by hostility to the measure during the time the negotiations were in progress. 3. The administration was pledged by the convention that nominated Mr. McKinley to friendship toward the struggling patriots of Cuba. McKin¬ ley’s pro-Spanish message is the ful¬ fillment of that solemn pledge. 4. It has failed to restore prosperity to the country, and instead the finan¬ cial condition has grown worse than it was before McKinley was elected. 5. It promised that the interests of the common people should be looked after, and now the plan is to give the national batiks tbe sovereign power of issuing the money of the country. It has failed, miserably failed to meet the wishes and expectations of the men who cast their votes with an honest desire for a better condition than existed at the time of the election. It is true that the corporations and trusts are well pleased with the admin¬ istration, but a majority of the repub¬ licans are disappointed and dissatisfied! Gold for Greenbacks. Breaking the endless chain in any other way"than by observing the law as it now exists is easier to talk about than io'accomplish. An . esteemed contemporary says that with the banks in control of the currency this country would have a financial system as sound as that of the bank of England or the bank of France. But the bank of France breaks the endless chain just as the treasury of the United States ought to break it, and has the legal right to break it. Gold cannot be had at the bank of France for export. The man who presents the bank’s obligations is not asked whether lie wants gold or silver. He is paid in the coin which best suits the bank’s convenience. There is no such thing as an implied obligation to pay in gold. And yet republican newspapers talk about a currency in the United States which is to be made as good as that of the bank of France. Certainly the bank of France is good, and so also is the United States treasury, but the comparison comes with peculiar em¬ phasis from an advocate of the endless chain system of redeeming greenbacks. President McKinley’s plan to re¬ deem greenbacks in gold and pay them out only for gold is rendered inope¬ rative by his proviso that this shall be done when the revenue shall equal the expenses of the government. Under the Dingley law, which is producing a deficit af about 89,000,000 a month, the time for breaking the endless chain appears also to be endless.—Chicago Dispatch._ A reader of newspapers is often struck with the foolish bills offered in our various State legislatures. One is almost forced to believe that in numer¬ ous instances counties send their big¬ gest fools to legislate for them instead of selecting their brainy men. Almost every legislature has its crank who de¬ sires to legislate against football, horse¬ racing, or wearing tights on the stage, and numberous other such silly ac¬ tions. We can get at a moment’s no¬ tice a waste basket full of damphool legislation. What we need and can not get are laws for just and equal taxation, for the punishment of crime, for the protection of honest, toiling humanity from trusts and corporate greed. We already have a surplus of worthless laws ; let us have some com¬ mon sense legislation for a change. A bill passed by the Georgia legis¬ by lature providing for issues of notes State banks is very properly desig¬ nated by the New York Times as “ a bill to promote litigation at the ex¬ pense of the tax-payers of Georgia.” B. J. G. F. 1JU * r (-■ ET £2 * ' f&\)t 4/ttnuTalb fairer. f m m D 0 IPHP % 1 Ei i*! b|, •» — .7- 4 ==== .» ’ f ( * The Leading Newspaper of Wiregrass Geo- gia. $1.50 a Year. Book and Job Work a T Specialty. * # aft ift 3 gg 2 f£ $ # 2 $S ?|S S$S ^ S$S 3 ft ^ * v/ Baldwins Jewelry Store!* S'/ - A" .■ ■ PIONEER JEWELER, 3T S'/ «!> Has the best and largost stock of Jewelry in Fitzgerald: Solid Gold Goods ** and lots Sterling of them. See Silver our genuine Novelties—Latest Opals, set in Kings, Designs Pins and Earrings! ! Wt We have Rogers’triple-plated No. 12 Knives and Forks for $3 25 per set of »•'* 6 each! We have Teaspoons at 75c per set of 6 ; Tablespoons at $1.25 per set * of six. See our Ladies’ Guard Chains! y\ A Card To The Public: * No No No Gold Rolled Electro tilled plate plate sold sold sold for for for Solid Gold Rolled Gold! tilled! plate! Every article sold for just what 2. # _ d®f S i ,!HI Ke?„ C « our stock over, get our prices, and you buy! No trouble to shoiv goods! & First-Class Repairing Done! * Our Motto: The best work at fair prices and a pleased customer! c. 3m Two Doors East of Postoffice. # inf: $ s$s sfs $ $ $ $ ^ $ $$$$ sfs Mondays IHere $ 5/K 0 will The need Holidays nobby will suit soon for be Christmas here, and of present. course,that What boy is of yours nicer a a for your boy than a suit of clothes or a nice pair of shoes? Make him a present of something that is of value and which wfll do him service. It £ money in your pocket. Perhaps the shoes. men % folks are in need of. \ new suit, pair of pant3, hat or They will appreciate sue.\i present above all others. J f Oiif Holiday Prices. Mens’ all-wool suits, were $15.00, Holiday Price $12.00. X Mens’ all wool suits were $12.00, Holiday Price k& $ 10 . 00 . Mens’ all wool suits were $10.00, Holiday Price $ 8 . 00 . Mens’ all wool suits were $8.00, Holiday price $6.00. Mens’ all wool suits were S7.00; Holiday price $4.00. Boys’ all wool suits were $2.00; Holiday price $1.50. <1$^ * the Our assortment All ask of Boys’ is visit. and Childrens’ No trouble suits to show is the goods. largest in city. we a § Jones : Clothing: Co.* Fitzgerald, Georgia. ^Ask for our Store when in town. IJOSEY’S DRUG STORE. 1 T* 3 t South Grant Street, where I be | % I am located on can \ found with with a full line of 1 I P P Jl Jj r r l p ! Jl r ! Of all kinds, Druggists’ Sundries, etc. In fact I f am \ better prepared to serve my patrons than ever before. I % Remember I keep in stock a fine line of f [Toilet 5oaps H Perfumery. Prescriptions Carefully Compounded Day or Night. I JOSEY’S DRUG STORE M South Grant Street, Fitzgerald, Georgia. FRED U. BIGH 5 .M, Contractor # Builder. Plans and Estimates Furnished on Short Notice. Address Lock Box 8, Fitzgerald, Georgia.