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* * t LEADER...
Official Orjan Ben Hill County.
Tom Hudso.i Will
Not Run Again
Commissioner of Agricul¬
ture seeking for Advairce-
Ment. Will It Be Gov¬
ernor or Congressman?
Commissioner of Agriculture,
Thomas L. Hudson today made
the positive announcement that
when his present term expires he
will not be a candidate for re-elec¬
tion.
Thts announcement, made this
afternoon, threw the political do-
pesters into a whirl of conjecture
and rumor ran rife as to what the
Americus statesman will do when
next election time comes around.
It is generally believed that Mr.
is acting on the presump-
that Hoke Smith will avow
himself a candidate for United
States senator, in which case Hud¬
son will run for governor. It is
pretty generally conceded that he
does not intend to retire altogeth¬
er from political life. Beyond the
simple announcement that he would
not run for the commissionership
of agriculture again, he had noth¬
ing to say.
The consensus of opinion is that
he will either make the race for
the seat of the chief executive of
the state or enter the field against
Dudley Hughes for the latter’s
congressional seat in Washington.
The move has been expected for
some time and was first predicted
in these dispatches. The definite
announcement of J. J. Conner
that he would run for Hudson’s
state office, made yesterday, was
taken to mean that Hudson’s re¬
tirement announcement was immi¬
nent, although it was not expected
to follow so closely on the heel of
it.
Those who claim to be on the
inside now take the stand that
Hoke Smith will be a candidate
for the Senate. It is known that
Hudson would not be averse to
living »n the governor’s mansion
for a while, but hardly thought
probable that he would make a
fight for it as long as there was a
chance that Smith would stand for
re-election. Also it is figured that
Hudson would not have retired
from his present office if he were
not reasonably certain that he
would stand a chance for election
to a higher office.
At any rate, Hudson’s announce¬
ment is considered significant,
with many constructions to be put
on it.
Mr. J. W. Scarbrough has pur¬
chased the Robitzsch property at
810 south Main street, and will
move his family into it next week.
All of the proceeds of the musi-
cal at the Court House Tuesday
night April 25th., will go into the
Benevolent Society Treasury.
U.D.C. Program For /
Memorial Day
The United Daughters of the
Confederacy will observe Memor¬
ial Day, Wednesday, April 26th,
and appropriate exercises will be
conducted at the county court
house, beginning at 3;30 o’clock.
The program for the exercises is
as follows:
Prayer, Rev. Guyton Fisher.
Song, “Maryland my Maryland”
by' male quartette consisting of
Messrs. A. H. Thurmond, J. E.
Turner, S. G. Pryor and P. F.
Clark.
Recitation, Miss Julia Prentiss.
Song, “Tenting on the old Camp
Grounds” by Male Quartette.
Address, Rev. Thomas M. Cal¬
laway.
Chorus, “Hurrah for the Sunny
South” school children.
Music will be furnished by Mrs.
W. A. Green.
SEMI-WEEKLY
The Fitzgerald Leader •
FITZGERALD, BEN HILL COUNTY, GEORGIA, APRIL 15, 1911.
Presentments of The Grand Jury
For the April Term of Ben Hill County Superior Court,
Which Adjourned Thursday
State Of Georgia—County Of Ben Hill.
April term of Superior Court 1911.
We, the Grand Jurors, empannelled and sworn for the April
Term of Superior Court of Ben Hill County Georgia, beg to submit
as follows:
Realizing fully the responsibilities resting upon us as individuals
and as a body, and in view of the very able charge delivered to us by
his Honor Judge U. Y. Whipple, we have undertaken our duties
with a sincere desire to serve the County in such a manner as would
tend to the betterment of its every interest.
Through a Committee from our body, we have made a thorough
inspection of the Roads of the County, and the Convict camps, and
beg to submit as follows:
We find that the chain-gang is in good order, and the convict
camp properly kept, and the convicts well fed, so far as we can learn.
We find that what work has been done by the chain-gang has been
well done and seems to be entirely satisfactory to the several com¬
munities.
t
We heartily endorse the work that has been done under the able
management of our Warden, Mr. T. F. Tyler.
We find that the roads in the north-western portion of the coun¬
ty have been neglected more so than any other section, and we there¬
fore recommend that the county convicts be put in this section of the
county as soon as they have completed their present work.
We also recommend in this connection that no new roads be
opened up until all the old roads are put in good condition.
Through a committee we have also made an examination of pub¬
lic buildings and jail and find them all in good repair and kept in a
first class manner with the exception of the toilets in the jail, and we
recommend these be looked after more carefully and kept in a more
sanitary condition..
We further recommend that the County Commissioners provide
coat and hat hooks for the Grand Jury room, also provide a chair
board around the walls of the room to protect the plastering.
We have also examined the books of the various Notaries Public
and Justices of the Peace and find as a rule that these records are
well and neatly kept.
We have been furnished with the following list of Paupers who
are now being cared for by the county, to wit:
Martha Anderson, Maggie Peterson, Mrs. J. D. Garrick, Mrs. J.
V. Waters, G. W. Wright, Jake Armantrout, Mary Laundrie and
Lon Dowell (col.) and recommend that all these be continued. We
also recommend that James M. Bradley be allowed $5.00 per month
until the next Grand Jury is empannelled.
We have examined the Pension Roll as submitted by the Ordi¬
nary, and find same to be in good condition and each of the Pensioners
therein recorded as being duly entitled to draw pension.
We had before us our ever faithful and efficient County School
Commissioner, Hon. R. J. Prentiss, and he made his report in writing
as below e recorded • ,
State of.Geoigia Ben Hill County.
To Honorable Grand Jury, Spring Term, Superior Court:
Gentlemen: ^
According to law and custom I beg to make my annual report
which shall embrace only condensed statements, as I do not care to
tire you when you will have an itemized statement from the Auditors
that will give you concisely all the particulars:
receipts FOR 1910.
Balance brought forward from 1909_______ $ 814.04
Rec’d from S School Com.________________ 5598.55
.
<C i < Sale Troup School House______ 150.00
U “ W. L. Smith T. C. Special Tax 3500.00
• C “ Judge Harvey (Estray)________ 10.25
Total Receipts $10,072.84
DISBURSEMENTS FOR 1910.
Paid C. S. C. Salary______ $ 900.00
Teachers___________ 3607.00
New Buildings______ 2742.06
“ Repairs____________ 321.97
“ Loan from Bank____ 2500.00
Balance cash on hand_____ 1.81
Total $10,072.84
I regret to have to report the loss of the best school building we
had, by fire with no insurance. The Board of Education has since
that time had all the School Buildings insured at three-fourths value
to prevent further loss from this source.
I ask to call your attention to some trouble we have been having
with a few patrons, who when becoming dissatisfied with some of the
school management have taken occassion to go to schools while in
session and proceed to abuse teachers and trustees, I would thank you
for an expression as to this matter and a caution to the public as to
consequences arising therefrom.
We have used, with much success, wagons in the transportation
of children from homes to schools where the distance was over the
limit and believe that the consolidation has resulted iji much good to
the community and to the enlargements of the pupils’ views and at¬
tainments.
Wo used three wagons, one at Lynwood and two at the Ashton,
the entire term, and an extra wagon for part of the term at Ashton.
We believe these wagons not only reduce the cost of teaching, but
give pupils an extra advantage in their school life from the graded
system. We would be pleased for body recommend
your to a consolidation
of all the schools as fast as may be’ consistent with the welfare of the
community.
I beg to call your attention to the fact that at this meeting of your
body it shall become your duty to appoint live members of the Board
of Education as the terms of the entire Board have expired. In
this connections I cannot speak too highly of the courtesy, faithful-
ness and zeal of the Board of Education. They have been earnest in
their work and more than desirous of the success of the schools under
their charge, and I desire here to publicily thank them for their
courtesy and many acts of patience with myself.
Should you permit, I shall be pleased to make some verbal sug¬
gestions as to the appointment of at least some of the members, as I
think I am in position to assert facts as to the competency of men
with whom I shall have to associate for the next four years.
Thanking you for your courtesy and assuring you of my willing¬
ness at all times to give the best that is in me to the education and
moral uplift of our County.
I beg to remain,
Yours most respectfully,
(Signed) J. R. Prentiss, C. S. C., Ben Hill County.
In the above report our attention being called to the fact that it
was our duty to recommend for appointment five members of the
Board of Education to serve four years each, and as the County School
Commissioner very highly recommended the re-appointment of three
of the old Board, we by unanimous vote recommend the re-appoint¬
ment of R. L. Stone, G. C. Ball and L. Robitzsch, and the appoint¬
ment of S. S. Young and Wm. Williams.
We condemn in the very strongest way possible the action of
some of the patrons of the schools when dissatisfied, going to the
school or schools while in session and abusing the teachers and trus¬
tees. We trust that it will never again be the duty of the County
School Commissioner to call this to the attention of the Grand Jury.
We received communication from the Clerk of the Superior Court
advising expiration of the terms of various Notaries Public and ex-
officio Justices of Peace.
In line with this report we respectfully recommend to His Honor,
Judge U. V. Whipple, the Appointment of the following citizens in
the respective districts as named:
482 District G. M. ______A. W. McCall
1171 “ g.m._______ ______Geo. M. Young
1537 “ G. M........ ______Drew W. Baulk
1658 “ G. M....... ______L. D. McCrimmon
1659 “ G. M....... ______Geo. Minnix
We liad the pleasure of having with us the entire Board of County
Commissioners, together with their Auditor Mr. Jones, who at the re¬
quest of the Commissioners, gave the Grand Jury some figures as to
the present financial condition of the County stating that while he had
practically completed the audit he was not in position to furnish a
detailed report as same would have to be certified by the Atlanta
office and returned later.
By unanimous consent this report when received will become a
part of our published presentments.
AUDITORS REPORT
^ ie dis cussion of the county’s affairs with the Commissioners
fact was brought out that there has never been an audit of the
hnes and forfeited docket, or in fact any of the Clerk of the Court
records, and in as muctiasthis is a very important part of our county’s
affairs, a committee was appointed consisting of A. H. Thurmond, J.
E. Turner and J. M. McDonald to act with the County Commission-
ers j n employing accountants to do this work and their findings when
completed, be published and report filed with next Grand Jury
V Ve recommend instead of the County Commissioners ' paying
one 0 f th e j r me mbers $50.00 per month, to act as Clerk of their body,
that they hire a Clerk at a salary not to exceed $25.00 per month.
In view of the fact that the county is put to such a great expense
in the operation of the City Court of Fitzgerald, we believe that it
will be to the best interest of the tax payers that a bill as below
recommended be introduced at the next session of the Legislature:
“We recommend that the Act creating the City Court of Fitzger¬
ald be amended at the coming session of the Legislature so as to pro¬
vide that there shall be no cost paid in any case nol-prossed in said
court; that it be further amended so as to provide that there shall be
collected in each case in which there is a conviction and a fine is paid,
the same fees foi the Solicitor’s fees as are collected for similar services
by the Solicitor General of the Superior court and that the fees thus
collected shall be paid to the Treasurer of the County the same to be
known as the Solicitor of the City Court Funds, which shall be kept
separate and apart from any other funds of said court and that the
same shall go to pay the salaries of the Judge and Solicitor only, and
providing that the County Commissioners, when there is not sufficient
amount in said funds to pay said salaries, shall pay the balance re-
mainingdue on such salaries out of the county funds.
We ur ge our representative to pass said amendment at the com-
ing session The Solicitor 0 f the Legislature.”
fines 0 f the City Court submitted itemized report cover¬
ing a nc j forfeitures collected and turned over to proper treasurer
for the pe r j 0 d of twelve months ending April 1st 1911, amounting to
$3533.15.
Wo Recommend that the Clerk of this body be allowed double per
diem for Lis services.
We recommend that Clerk D. W. M. Whitley be paid the sum of
$5.70 fo r 38 subpoenas issued and that sheriff J. W. Norris be paid
$19.00 f 0 r 38 subpoenas served.
and hav Finally we submit True that Bills we have and 12 heard No evidence Bills. in 40 indictments
e returned 28
W e return our thanks to his Honor Judge U. V. Whipple and to
Hon. W. F. George Solicitor General for the courtesies extended to
our these body and are glad to be allowed to express officers. our high appreciation
of very conscientious and competent
We further desire to thank all of the officers of the Court for the
many courtesies shown us during the present term,
We recommend that these presentments be published in the Fitz-
gerald Enterprise and the Fitzgerald Leader and that they be paid
$5.00 each for same,
A. II. Thurmond, Foreman.
J. C. Strange, Clerk.
Official Of|ia if Ian
County. $1.50 a
Year.
VOL. XVI. NO. 29
Highway Meet¬
ing At Douglas
Fitzgerald Delegation At¬
tended Dutch Suppei At
Douglas Thursday
Night
One of the largest and most en¬
thusiastic good roads meeting
ever held in south Georgia took
place Thursday night in Douglas,
when the Chamber of Commerce
of that city invited the represen¬
tative citizens of Ben Hill and
Ware Counties to be their guests
at a Dutch Supper, the ultimate
purpose of the meeting being to
discuss ways and means of procur¬
ing the National Highway from
New York to Jacksonville, Fla.,
to obtain which it is necessary to
give postive assurance to those
who will recommend the course
that any objections to the “Short
Route” such as the bridging of the
St. Marys River will be immedi¬
ately remedied.
The Fitzgerald delegation made
the trip to Douglas in automobiles
the following gentlemen making
up the party: Alderman D. P.
Adams, Clerk of Court Wiley
Whitley, Cashier John D. Dor-
miney, Di. J. L. Frazer, Mayor
Drew W. Paulk, Editor 1. Gel-
ders, Representative Wright
Paulk, Editor Jesse Mercer, J.
E. Turner, J. A. Justice, C. G.
Sandlin, Earl Braswell, Claud
Sanders, manager Chuchweil’s
store, L. L. Gnner, H. M. War¬
ren, S. Perry and Mr. Withers.
The delegation was received with
marked cordiality by a large
party of Douglas’ leading citizens,
and shortly after the arrival of the
Waycross party who came up on
the train, the meeting was con¬
vened in the spacious dining room
of the Douglas Hotel.
Mr. J. C. Brewer, president of
the Chamber of Commerce, of
Douglas, was the genial toast
master of the occasion and his clev¬
er manner of introducing the diff¬
erent speakers was an enjoyabla
feature of the occasion. Interest¬
ing and practical talks were made
by those who have taken the lead
in procuring for this section the.
National Highway, and those in a
position to know expressed them¬
selves as satisfied that our strenu¬
ous efforts will be rewarded by a
decision in favor of the “Short
Route.”
Among the speakers were J. E.
Mercer, editor of the Fitzgerald
Enterprise; L. V. Williams, editor
of the Waycross Journal, Judge
Dart of Douglas; Dr. Gus Folkes,
of Waycross; Drew W. Paulk,
mayor of Fitzgerald; Jasper Wyl-
ding, of the Waycross Herald; C.
A. Ward, mayor of Douglas;
Isidor Gelders, editor of the Fitz¬
gerald Leader; Daniel Gaskin,
county Commissioner of Coffee;
Alderman Calvin Parker, of Way-
cross; and Alderman D. P. Adams,
of Fitzgerald.
This joint meeting of three of
the liveliest young cities of south
Georgia was significant for the
reason that each of the cities
represented has attained its present
state of progressiveness by literal¬
ly “going after” what they want,
the invariable result being that
they usually get it; and when the
three consolidate their efforts in
one direction there is little doubt
but that they will bear fruit.
Before the close of the meeting,
the following resolutions, which
were drafted by a representative
from each of the counties, Coffee,
Ware and Ben Hill, were adopted
by a rising vote, and it was voted
to forward them to the Atlanta
Journal and the New York Herald:
RESOLUTIONS
“Whereas, The Atlanta Journal
and New York Herald are about
(Continued on Page Five )