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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.