Newspaper Page Text
Rtrald and Advertiser.
NEWNAN, FRIDAY, .JULY
Official Organ of Cowela County.
jAli. E. Brown,
IIHO W N
Editors ,
TllOH. S. I'AltllOTT,
I* A H UOTT.
IMiiimsmkkm.
THE NEW REE 1ST RATI ON /./II V.
“Few people seem to know thata law
passed by the last Legislature ;is one of
tiov. Smith's reform measure.' requires
that all voters shall register six months
before the election occurs,” says the
Macon Telegraph. “This (lov. Brown
declares to be entirely too drastic.
The Act presumes that the average citi
zen of Georgia is not honest, (lov.
Hrown believes that he is honest, and
lie insist that the law should make it
easy for him to vote, and not hard. He
point, out that, instead of aiding in pu
rifying eh lions, the i ffect of the law
is the reverse. The corrupt voters will
always register, and will take care to
be on the lists. A vast, number of hon
est voters will overlook the fact that
the books close six months before an
election and will be shut out such as
laborers, farmers and merchants, (lov.
Hrown says the law should be wiped off
the books, and he is entirely right. The
average business man, most of the
laboring men, and nearly all the far
mers, never think of registering until a
campaign opens up arid has progressed
Lo the extent of stirring them up to
the importance of being prepared Lo
vote. As the law now stands a large
part of those people will he disfranchised
more completely than the Africans in
ourmidst. This new law has all the ear
marks of a scheme to catch the peo
ple of Georgia napping.”
Here is what Gov. Brown said on the
subject in his message to the Legisla
ture last week:
“1 wish to call your attention to the
serious defects and unnecessary barriers
m the registration law passed by your
immediate predecessor. As pointed out
by our able Attorney-General in his an
nual report, no provision was made for
registry lists before the general election
m 19111. This omission has already caused
considerable confusion, and unless cor
rected will cause more, besides laying
serious grounds upon which to ques
tion the validity of every special elec
tion ordered under its terms. In my
judgment, however, one of the main
provisions of law should be amended.
•it provides that the registry lists shall
be closed on April 1 of election years,
or more than six months in advance of
the election. I recommend that this
be changed, so that the interim be
tween the closing of the lists and
of the elections may be not more
than thirty days before general, spe
cial or primary elections. It is a well-
known fact that a large majority of
our farmers and business men do not
pay their taxes in person, but by agents
or by cheek. It is, therefore, easy to
see how the present law will practically
disfranchise many good citizens. To
require the citizen to register six months
m advance of the election is entirely
loo drastic. We presume that the
average Georgia voter is honest. This
Act presumes that he is not, and seeks
to shut him out unawares from the
natural right of a free citizen i. e.,
the right to vote. The law should make
it easy, not hard, for a man to vote, the
presumption of innocence being on bis
side, we should abstain as far as pos
sible from restrictive legislation; for the
true Democratic idea is that the citizen
shall have the greatest possible freedom,
so long as it does not interfere with the
rights of others. The law ought not to
assume, as restrictive legislation such as
this does, that, practically all people are
corrupt.
“1 agree that the purity of the ballot
is one of the bed-rocks of our institu
tions. Drastic legislation along this
line tends to defeat its own purpose,
and to augment the evil aimed at. The
venal person who makes of his franchise
an articlo of trade w ill, for selfish rea
sons, boon tiis guard and get in position
to deliver his vote. Hut the honest
farmer, mechanic, laborer or business
man, interested in his own business,
usually neglects to register until the
strossof political contest impresses him
with its importance. To require that
all shall register six months before the
e'ection would have the effect id' en
hancing the importance of the corrupt
voters, as the bulk of them will take
pains to qualify, while many honest
citizens, through excusable neglect, will
be excluded from the exercise of the
ballot.
“The registration law affects every
citizen. The laws against felonies and
crimes in general a tree t only those who
commit them. Why should the citizen
in the exercise of his highest right he
presumed a criminal? Election laws
should be aimed at the corrupt voter,
and should not in their operat ion impair
the power of the honest voter in the ex
ercise of his right as a free citizen.”
lute repeal of certain objectionable laws
is recommended. Indeed, it is a model
state paper, and will undoubtedly have
influence and etfect in directing legis
lation along needed lines before the
session is much older.
The salient point: of the message
arc briefly noted below
Urges a $600,000 bond issue, or such
other plan as may satisfactorily solve
the problem, to provide for the prompt
payment of Georgia’s school teachers.
Recommends prompt anrl substantial
support for all State institutions, call
ing special attention to the new agri
cultural schools.
Recommends the establishment of the
office of Commissioner of Labor.
Recommends the creation of a State
board of tax equalizers and of county
boards of tax asesssois, to the end that
taxation may tie equalized throughout
the State.
Recommends the enactment of an in
heritance tax law.
. Recommends a Constitutional amend
ment providing for biennial sessions
of the General Assembly.
Recommends additional legislation
looking to the encouragement of good
roads construction throughout the
State.
Warns railroads and other corpora
tions that they must not construe con
servatism and fair treatment as occa
sion or opportunity for license or in
dulgence in public abuse.
Recommends legislation which will
compel the prompt settlement of claims
held by individuals against railroad
companies.
Urges encouragement of the move
ment looking to double-tracking the
railroads of the State.
Recommends the control of munici
pal public utility corporations be re
stored to municipalities.
Recommends reduction in the mem
bership and office,.force of the Railroad
Commission in the interests of econo
my and in line with the policy of the
Atlanta platform.
Recommends amendment of the new
registration law, so as to give the vo
ters of the State, particularly the farm
ing class, opportunity to register and
qualify.
Urges the enactment of a law to pre
vent lobbying.
Recommends legislation which will
throw all necessary safeguards around
State banks, in the interest of deposi
tors.
Urges important amendments to the
game and fish laws.
Recommends proper and ample sup
port for the military of the State.
Commends the action of the last
Legislature in providing for annual
payments of pensions, in line with the
Atlanta platform.
Recommends the erection of a monu
ment to the Confederate dead on the
Capitol square, Atlanta.
Macon Telegraph: ‘‘The Hrown cam
paign did not promise cheaper wheat
and corn, but it did promise employ
ment for labor, and that is what was
meant by “bread.” Go to the big
shops anywhere in Georgia and see the
(inference between now and one year
or more ago. If times are not better
now than then we are greatly fooled.
If corn is higher, so also is cotton.”
ligated to do their will in all matters'
pertaining to the public interest. Gen
tlemen, have you performed this duty j
faithfully, as instructed by the voters
of the city of Newnan? I would be
glad to know the name of each member
of the City Council that opposed this
ordinance. Let us see what excuse tan
be given for voting against the will of
the people. The only reason that has
been presented to me is that it might
engender strife and discord, and bring
politics into our city government. I
think the best and only way to avoid
the dangers that have been mentioned,
and which we so much dread, is to scat
ter the representation to different sec
tions of the city.
Now, in conclusion, permit me to
make some suggestions, and to give
some friendly advice to our Board of
Aldermen. Isn't it true that your ob
jection to dividing the city into wards
is based on the fact that if this is done
some of you might not be chosen again
to the position you now hold? Study
carefully the definition of Democracy ;
take a few lessons in political econo
my ; consider well the words of that
great man who said: “Who saves his
country saves himself, saves all things,
and all things saved do bless him : who
lets his country die lels all things die,
himself dies ignobly, and all things dy
ing curse him. ”
This article is written in no spirit of
unkindness, but for the upbuilding of
the best interests of Newnan, whose
citizens doubtless feel that they have
been disobeyed, insulted and their
wishes trampled upon, and I believe
at their first opportunity they will
show their resentment in no uncertain
way. A Four Wards Voter.
I J . S.— Now that the Gity Council
has disregarded the wishes of the peo
ple respecting wards, to be consistent
should not Council also rescind its ac
tion looking to the extension of the
city limits and instruct our Represen
tatives in the Legislature to withdraw
the bill providing for such extension?
The same vote that declared in favor
of extension also declared in favor of
four wards, you know. If binding in
one case, why not in the other?
People with small minds are apt to
use some big words.
New Advertisements.
Letters of Dismission.
GEORGIA Cow iota County :
Croecy Leigh, administratrix on the estate of
Alonzo Leigh, deceased, having applied to the
Court of Ordinary of said county for letters of dis
mission from her said trust, all persona concerned
are required to show cause in aaid Court by the first
Monday in August next, if any they can. why said
application should not be granted. This July 9,
!!»<'!). Pra. fee, $3. L. A. PERDUE, Ordinary-
Letters of Dismission.
GEORGIA Coweta County:
T. F. Rawls, guardian of M.vrtis Lee O’Neal, hav
ing applied to the Court of Ordinary of said coun
ty for letters of dismission from his said trust, all
persona concerned are required to show cause in
aaid Court by the first Monday in August next, if
any they can, why said application should not be
granted. This July 5, 1909. Prs. fee, $3.
L. A. PERDUE. Ordinary.
Letters of Dismission.
GEORGIA -Coweta County:
T. F. Rawls, administrator of Mary Sewell, de
ceased, having applied to the Court of Ordinary
of said county for letters of dismission from, bus
said trust, all persons concerned are required t.o
show cause in said Court by the trrst Monday in
August next, if any they can, why said applica
tion should not be granted. This July ">. 1909.
Prs. fee. L. A. PERDUE, Ordinary.
Letters of Dismission.
GEORGIA - Cowkta County :
M rH. Lilia H. Bridges, guardian of Verna M,
Bridges Ingram, having applied to the Court ot
Ordinary of said county fur letters of dismission
from her said trust, all persons concerned are re-,
quired to show cause in aaid Court by the first
Monday in August next, if any they can, why said
application should not be granted. This July S.
1909. Prs. fee, $3. L,. A. PERDUE. Ordinary.
Senoia Enterprise-Gazette: “Al
though lion. ,J. R. McCollum is a new
man in the Senate, he is already recog
nized as a man of ability, and has been
placed upon six committees, being
chairman of one. Capt. McCollum will
make good wherever he is placed.”
GOV. BROWN'S MESSAGE.
Gov. Brown’s first message to the
General Assembly, which was read in
both Houses on Thursday of last week,
contained a number of common-sense
suggestions that will doubtless take
the form of legislation before the ses
sion is ended, and the document is be
ing widely and favorably commented
upon. It deals with questions that are
likely to engage the attention of the
Legislature in a spirit of conservatism,
recognizing the supremacy of the law
making body in the final disposition of
all matters of legislation. It does not
hint at revolution, or confiscation, or
business disaster, but breathes a spirit
of peace and tranquility and hopeful
ness in its every sentence. Modifica
tion of some of the more drastic meas
ures enacted into law during the late
administration is advised, while absc-
Twelve Months’ Support.
GEORGIA-Cowkta County:
The return of the appraisers setting apart twelve
months’ support to the family of J. M. Brown,
deceased, having been filed in my office, all per
sons concerned are cited to show cause by the
first Monday in August, 1909, why said application
for twelve months’ support should not be granted.
This July f>, 1900. Prs. fee, $3.
L. A. PERDUE. Ordinary.
(lummunicated.
City Wards Defeated.
It was with deep regret that 1
learned recently that the ordinance
providing for the division of our city
into wards was defeated in open Coun
cil on June 21 by a vote of (1 to 1. If
we are correctly informed this measure
has been before the city fathers for
more than a year. We also under
stand that the ordinance was presented
and pressed for passage by Alderman
Askew, but on account of the opposi
tion that developed in the City Council
the measure was, for various reasons,
defeated. As a compromise, we are
informed that a motion was made be
fore the City Council at that time to
submit the question to the registered
voters of the city, with an agreement
to abide their decision. In accordance
with this agreement the question was
voted upon by the registered voters of
Newnan at our last municipal election,
and Wards was carried by a majority
of 4 to 1. As 1 understand it, the ob
ject of dividing the city into wards
was for the purpose of equalizing the
representation from the different sec
tions of the city. 1 believe that would
be a wise thing to do. 1 am sure that
it would be strictly Democratic. We
know that government, like everything
else human, naturally tends to decay,
and this can only be guarded against
by constant watchfulness, courage, and
adherence to sound Democratic princi
ples. if the people of Newnan were
the first in history who had tried the
experiment of living in a town that was
divided into wards we might be ex
cused if we failed to see the advan
tages arising from such conditions;
but we are not the first to attempt this
experiment. It is the very basis of
Democracy—the vital principle upon
which this republic is based—and its
history runs back beyond the days of
Jefferson. My understanding and im
pression was, and is, that the people
at the ballot-box had given the City
Council instructions as to their duty in
this matter;—therefore, I fail to see
anything to justify Council in repudia
ting the demands of our fellow-citi
zens. You will pardon me if I insist
that the men chosen by the people to
serve in the capacity of aldermen are
also the servants of the people, and ob-
AN ORDINANCE.
Ho it ordained by the Mayor and Aldermen of
the City of Nownan^and it is hereby ordained by
authority of the same. That every person, firm or
corporation in this city engaged in the sale of
near-beer shall sell the same according to the fol
lowing rules and regulations, and not otherwise—
1. No near-beet saloon in this city shall open for
business before 5 o’clock a. m., and the said sa
loons shall close at 11. o’clock i\ M. and no near-
beer saloon shall open for business on the Sab
bath.
2. It shall be unlawful to sell near-beer in this
city to minois. It shall be unlawful for minors to
enter or frequent the near-beer saloons of this
city.
3. The police of this city shall make regular in
spections of ail near-beer saloons in this city at
such times as they desire, to see that the law is
not being violated: and it shall be unlawful for
any proprietor of any near-beer saloon in this
city to refuse to allow any officer of the city to in
spect his saloon.
4. White customers and colored customers shall
not be served over frhe same counter.
5. All near-beer saloons shall be located on the
ground Moor, and shall not be run in connection
with any pool or billiard room, and all stock
hand shall be carried on the ground Moor, and not
be deposited in cellars or upstairs storage-rooms.
f>. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or
corporation engaged in the sale of near-beer in
this city to violate any or all of the foregoing reg
ulations. Any person, firm or corporation viola
ting any or all of said regulations shall, on
viction. be punished as prescribed in Section 255
of the City Code, and his license may, in the dis
cretion of the Mayor, be forfeited.
7. AY. ordinances or parts of ordinances in con
tlict with this ordinance be and the same art
hereby repealed.
Adopted in open session July 20, 190$.
E. D. FOUSE. Clerk.
lie it ordained by the Mayor and Aldermen of
the City of Newnan, That the ordinance hereto
fore passed on the 20th day of July. 1908, bo and
the same is hereby amended by adding to the said
ordinanoe the following other regulations, to-wit
It shall bo unlawful for the owner or person ii
charge of any near-beer saloon in said city to sell
or offer for sale any near-beer in said city to any
female, and it shall further be unlawful for any
owner of any near-beer saloon to permit any fe
male to enter his saloon.
Be it further ordained. That it shall be unlaw
ful for any place of business where said near-beer
is sold to be provided with screens, except the
partition separating the white and colored coun
ters. or shades, or for the front doors or windows
to be frosted over or otherwise darkened or ob
scured; but the interior of every such place of
business in said city shall always be kept in open
view of the street in front.
Be it further ordained. That all ordinances
parts of ordinances in conMict with these ordi
nances be and the same are hereby repealed.
Adopted by Council July 5, 1909.
E. D. FOUSE. Clerk,
LADIES’ SKIRTS
■AT'
Extraordinary Values!
In order to close out our present dine of
Ladies’ Skirts, beginning Monday, July 12,
we will offer some of the greatest skirt val
ues ever known to Newnan people. About
one hundred skirts in all, divided into
three lots.
Lot No. 1—values up to $ 6.50; your choice, S3.69
Lot No. 2—values up to $ 8.50; your choice, $4.98
Lot No. 3—values up to $12.50; your choice, $6.89
We will not pay for any alterations at
above prices.