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About Wilkinson County news. (Irwinton, Ga.) 1922-2008 | View Entire Issue (Aug. 15, 1925)
The Wilkinson County News : IRWINTON, GEORGIA. ILI B. HUBBARD Editor and Publisher, k-— 1 .11— Official Organ Wilkinson County. Its T. A. Gibbs, Representative for The News, at Gor an, Georgia. ELi Bean, Authorized Solicitor and Collector of Sub iriptions, Irwinton, Ga. itered at the Post Office at Irwinton, Ga., under the Itt' Os Congress of March 3rd., 1879, as second class ail ‘matter. iP*‘ ' " • ibscription: One Dollar per Year Payable in Advance ■«' WHY A CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION? iOF* f. 3 i*|. ■ .A bill, has been introduced in the general assembly ■oviding for a constitutional convention to revise the ■fasti tption of the state of Georgia. I The only reason that we have read, or heard advo ■ted, why a convention is to be called is because the institution has been amended so many times it is dif ■ult to know what is the constitution on account of it ■ng such a “patched” instrument. I This reason is absurd, and if this ,is the only reason ■n we say that the members of the legislature whc ■ed for this convention, authorizing the expenditure of ■ny thousands of dollars to defray the expenses of such Convention, should certainly be kindly remembered by ■ir constituents when the next election arrives. I The code of Georgia contains the constitution of the ■te, and, under the present plan, every time the con- Hution is amended the supplements to the code carry ■amendments to the constitution, and as each section ■the code is numbered there is no difficulty in finding ■ whole constitution. I Even if the contention of the advocates of the bill He well founded, wKat concern would this be to the ■rage citizen of the state who never in a lifetime has ^Ksicn to familial ize himself with the entire constitu- H of the state? ■ Should the ordinary citizen of the state have any H^on to know ail the provisions, or any particular pro- Hon, of the constitution, and what his rights were Her it, the very first thing that he would do would be Htonsult some attorney for this information, and as H-y attorney has a code of the .state of Georgia and is ^■bsed to know where to find the several amendments ■he constitution, there would not be any inconvenience ■ny citizen of the state who desired to obtain this in ■We see no reason why a convention should be called ■this purpose. If there is any act of the legislature ■ should be passed covering any subject matter pro- H:ed by the constitution, it would be a great deal less ■nsive to amend the constitution in the manner pre- ; ■>ed by that instrument than to call a convention of ‘ ■gates, named by the representatives of the gigantic ■orations of the state. ■lt is our opinion that the fundamental reason why a Hind has been made for a constitutional convention is ■the sole purpose of incorporating therein a provision ■Table to the special interests, and that will infringe ■ the rights of the people—those rights that are now Hanteed to them by the constitution. ■Should a constitutional convention be called and the Holtes selected by the act authorizing it, the people of ■tate can rest assured that they will not have a single ^esentative in that body who will have the backbone ■and up for their rights as free and independent cit ■i of a now sovereign state; but such a convention will Hmposed of the hired agents of the large corporations He state who are always and at all times knocking at Hjoor of the several departments of our government ■pecial privileges, and an exemption from public ■Should a convention be called and the constitution ■ed and rewritten, we would not be surprised to see ■'ument presented to the people that would not con ■the “Bill of Rights” that the present one contains, ■sou see, it has become a little unpopular for the He to have any rights, and some say that the “Bill ■ghts” in our present constitution is antiquated, out ■te, too old fashioned; in other words, the present Hitution throws around the average Georgian—the ms MADE FOR IMPROVING SEED Bee grades of seed, elite, regis- B and certified, will be the stand- Munder which the Georgia Crop Kfvement Association will place B»ed of its members on the mar- B the future. Mb action was taken at a recent Ktg of the association held at Ms, and furthermore, all seed of ■ by members of the organiza- Brill sell their products under a Km tag which carries the grow- Kaarantee as to the purity and Mpation of the seed. This is said ■ .one of the most distinctly- for ■ steps taken in seed marketing K state, and hereafter purchas ■ seed from members of the Crop Bremen t Association are given a HHitee as to quality. Md inspection- work is done reg ■ by authorized representatives B Association and germination Kre made in the laboratory when Med are gathered. Karts from community pure seed i^Ktions showed that even Hi sales of seed were somewhat Blast season, most of the mem [ plain common man, woman and child—too great a pro tection of his life, his liberty and his property. It is the desire of a special few to abolish the old time custom of meteing out-to every citizen an equal pro tection under the laws, and to destroy the restraint that the constitution throws over the legislative power of the general assembly of the state in the levying of taxes and the appropriation of the people’s money. It is the desire of a special few to allow the legisla ture to impose upon the people a class of taxation, and the resultant power to appropriate such money, as will destroy the very life of our state. They call the present plan of taxation antiquated and out of date. They also call a man who believes in an equal protection under the laws to all classes of people old fashioned and out of date. They say that there is no cause for the people crying out for their rights. They would say (but thank God, under our present system of electing officials, they are afraid to say) that, the peo ple have no rights and should not even be allowed to vote. We once heard a “great man” (in his own estimation) say that he did not want a certain man’s vote. He said “his little old vote.” Pardon us for referring to this expression ,but it fits so well with the thought of the overage lawmaker 1 with reference to the average voter, and especially when the former manages to get elected. You see, Peoplej the average lawmaker gets intox icated on his own greatness when he goes to Atlanta and we people back home look so small to him during that state of intoxication he says your “LITTLE OLD VOTE.” What do you really think of such an expression? Well, draw your own conclusions! If the above is what they think about your rights as an elector, wh.it “do you think about what they think of your rights as a citizen of the state? You “LITTLE OLD FARMER, SAWMILL MAN, PULP MILL EM PLOYE, CLAY-HOLE DIGGER,” you have no rights! That is what they think about you during this state of intoxication. . I had rather live under a written constitution, framed by men who believed that laboring men had equal rights and were entitled to an equal protection of the laws, patched from the preamble to the end, than to live under one written by the paid representatives of the large cor corations upon pages of gold and in one document, whose sentiments toward the people can best be expressed in: “I DON’T WANT YOUR LITTLE OLD VOTES!” We need no constitutional convention and the people’s money should not be spent in having such a convetion. WATSON MEMORIAL It has been said that a memorial or statue will be erected either in the capitol building or on the capital grounds at Atlanta to the memory of Georgia’s greates statesman and the'common people’s most loyal, tried an ! trusted friend, Thos. E. Watson. We wish to give this effort our unqualified endorse- I ment, and hope that the memorial will be erected, for there was never a man in Georgia who deserved an honor of this kind more than. Watson. Watson spent his entire life fighting for the rights of the common people and to them his was at all times , loyal and true. ’ His efforts were not fully appreciated, hovzever, until i death called him, but although he is dead his efforts will I always be remembered by the people, and a memorial to remind the people of future generations of his record is indeed fitting and proper. As the author of the free delivery of mails in the rural districts, it iS also fitting that the memorial should show the mail box in order that there might be an ever lasting testimonial of his authorship of the legislation that carried the first appropriation for the experiment which has brought such a blessing to the country people. THE STATE HIGHWAY INVESTIGATION The investigation of the state highway department by the legislature, from all newspaper accounts, seems to be an absolute whitewashing in its entirety. We imagine that the report of the investigating com- j mittee will exonerate Holder from all blame and censure, 1 and groom him for the chief executive’s chair, to which a great many men of his type have often aspired, if not actually attained. It is a great pity that the legislature of Georgia has not a single member who has nerve enough to secure the passage of a bill to reorganize the state highway department. Be it remembered that there are only three miles of finished state-aid highways in Wilkinson county! bers have recognized the benefits of growing varieties erf high grade. T. B. Thornton of Hartwell is pres ident of the Association, and RkR. Childs of Athens is secretary. FAITHFULTEACH TREE STILL THRIVES AT 3-SCORE AND TEN (F. C. Balcom, in Middle Georgian) Tom Davidson, who lives in Wil kinson county, about eight miles from Jeffersonville, brought some ex tra fine clingstone peaches of the White English varietv here last Mon day. The fruit was from a tree that is known positively to be 70 years old. Mr. Davidson moved to this farm in 1900 and the tree was bearing ex tra fine fruit that year. In 1901 “Uncle Billy” Smith, better known as “Apple Smith,” told Mr. Davidson he knew that the tree had borne fruit yearly since 1868. The old original stump of this near century-old tree has sent forth many crops of new wood. The most re markable feature connected with the longevity of this tree, is the ceace less manner in which it has produced all these years without being sprayed or fertilized. THE WILKINSON COUNTY NEWS, AUG. 15, 1925 The fruit is of an extra fine flavor, with small seed. In the years that have gone the White English peach was considered the premier fruit of the clingstone variety, and this old tree is probably the only genuine specimen of this ex cellent peach variety left in this sec tion of the state. The crop from the tree was ex ceedingly good this year. Mr. David son will plant at least a peck of the seed next fall, and expects to have an original orchard of the seedling White English growing on his farm to be eaten by future generations of this well-known Wilkinson county family. More than 12,000 Georgia boys are regularly enrolled members of 4-H clubs this year. Physical surveys have been made of 83 Georgia counties, while chem ical analyses of 26 counties have been completed. Nearly 500 farmers made a tour of inspection of the campus, farm and experimental fields of the State College of Agriculture last week. WHILE THE ORLD AGS. By B. Mcßee. When this appears in print the 1925 session of the state legislature will have-only nine days more to con tinue—nine days in which to dispose of something like 500 bills that are in the hoppers and awating consider - ation. The rules committee of the house is in charge, with the prerogatives of a tzay, having complete and absolute control of all pending proposed leg islation, with undisputed power to dictate what bills shall and what ones shall not ^e voted upon. The bills that a majorit of the rules^commit tee wants considered on the floor will be given preference on the calendar; the bills that the rules committee wants killed ’ default will be left off the calendar. The rules commit tee’s power is in positive violation of the principles of democratic govern ment; but it is necessary, perhaps, in order to get anything done by a legislature such as that of Georgia. A little autocracv mixed with democ racy in government is essential, it seems. A democracy without autoc racy in it would result in chaos in the long run. Mankind is not yet ready for democratic government in all that the term means. * • • Most of the bills pending in the two houses of our cumbersome and loose-jointed legislature are worth less, and if enacted into law they would serve no good purpose except, possibly, for their respective authors. There are many of them that are meaningless; some that are vicious. It is just as well for the rules com mittee to sidetrack them in favor of pronosed legislation that may pos sibly be of benefit to the public. * » * Many of the bills now before the 'legislature relate to subjects and gov ernmental principles that even the authors do not understand. Some of the pending- taxation bills are ex amples in noint. Georgia needs in the legislature a few men who have made a study of taxation and who understand the subject; then for the rest of the members, including the “one-gallus” and “wool hat” fellows, to be wise enough and big enough and patriotic enough to keep quiet, sit still and to follow them to the end of giving Georgia a sane, prac tical, intelligent and democratic sys tem of taxation. It is doubtful if this legislature, during its regular session that is about to close, will work out and agree upon a taxation plpn, largely because the members do not under stand the principles of taxation, and also because many of the politician^ and self-servers among the member ship want to force the governor to call an extraordinary session. An ex traordinary session wou’d be expen sive to the taxpayers and generally bad for the state, but what do the politicians and self-servers care for that? * * ♦ Another important subject that is covered by pending proposed legisla tion that probably will go by the board is that of highway develop- Why The Central of Georgia Railway Is Able To Render Satisfactory Service. •There is general recognition and appreciation by the patrons of the Central of Georgia of the efficient service now being performed by this railroad. Prompt and adequate transportation speeds up business, stabilizes production, prevents unemployment of labor, and has a beneficial effect upon com merce and industry. . ; ' . . -I:' The demand for transportation is continually increasing and it is interesting to understand the methods by which the Central of Georgia keeps pace with business. It is able to do so because of money spent for improved and enlarged facilities; because of greater co-operation from its patrons and because of the increased efficiency of its employes. The Central of Georgia last year handled more business than in any year of its history. For the first seven months of 1925 its traffic was ahead of last year, the previous peak. Its revenue ton nage has increased 93 per cent in the last ten years. This large increase in business is in part due to the development of the territory it serves, but mainly to ability to render satisfactory service. One of the main factors in good service is the loyalty and efficiency of its employes. The Central of Georgia has in round numbers ten thousand employes and they regard themselves as members of one big family. They co-operate with one another and while the first concern of each is to do the work assigned to him, every one is ready and willing to do everything in his power for the improvement of the service. For example, they have organized associations to solicit business and to urge the public to travel and ship by the Centra 1 of Georgia. Their efforts do not cease when bus iness has been secured, but each of them interests himself in seeing that traffic is promptly and care fully bandied. They regard each car of freight as a guest to be given the best possible treatment. They are courteous to every patron of the railway. Co-operation is rot confined to relationship between employe and employe, but exists between management and employe. The management of the railroad endeavors to do its part by providing con tinuous employment, under agreeable working conditions, at fair rates of pay With these principles as a basis the managen.ent extends its interest in the welfare of the employes so as to make provi sions for their future. This is done by means of a pension system for those who, because of infirm ities or old age, are unable to continue their occupations. The Central of Georgia also provides group life insurance whereby the employes may protect themselves and then - families against disab'bty and death at nominal expense. The employes have recently voted, by an overwhelming majority, to-establish a hospital depart ment through which they will receive expert medical and surgical attention for the conservation of their lives and health. The company will advance money for the construction of a hospital at Savan nah and the department will be financed by monthly contributions from each officer and employe. The officers and men underst-»„d each other and come into close personal contact. All have a common purpose. All believe in their railroad and its future. These are some of the-elements that go into the making of a happy and contented personnel. The possession of such a spirit, along with a transportation plant in fine condition, large and power ful locomotives, ample car supply, well-equipped shops, block signals, etc., answer the question as to why the Central of Georgia is in position to give a high type of service to its patrons. Constructive criticism and suggestions are invited. L. A. DOWNS, President, Central of Georgia Railway Company. Savannah, Georgia, August 11, 1925. . ur. v .igh the bonding process, e seems to be little iiklihood ox J' " 70,000,000 highway bonding bill 'V - k voted unvn, and if it is voted r <”• n it very probably will be de *sd. There are some good reasons xor this, the chief one being that, meritoriaus as the proposal is in prin ciple, the people of Georgia, taking themjby and large, would be slow 'to; approve a plan to provide $70,000,- 000 to be disbursed through a high way department that is reeking with politics, as that of Georgia—as at present constituted —is • * n If this bill is voted down, or killed by default, it means that Georgia wil have to wait at least two more years for the inauguration of a modern progressive highway development plan, and that the serious-minded, thinking people of the state will have two years in which to educate the masses in favor of the bonding meth od, and— most important of all con siderations—in which to “clean house” within the highway depart ment. DANVILLE NEWS Danville is taking her rightfu' place among several other Georgia towns in growth. E. D. Maxwell is now erecting a brick building on the west side of town for an up-to-date modern drug store to be occupied by Dr. W. B. Felger, of Atlanta, former ly of Canton, 0., who has located here as physician and surgeon. The drug store will be ready for opening within a month, and adjoins three entirely new brick stores owned by Mr. Max well. The palatial concrete home of Senator and Mrs. H. L. D. Hughes will soon be completed and read” for occupancy. This home is erected on a beautiful location fronting the home of former Congressman Dudley M. Hughes, and is to be made modern in every way. There are several new residences here that have been built within the last year of two which indi cates that prosperity still exists. As the city election approaches pol - itics seems to be warming up thing.;. A mass meeting was held Monday night by members of one of the fae tions that exist here and the follow ing ticket was endorsed: Roy J. Den nard for mayor, H. J. Waters, H. M. King and C. W. Tidwell for council men. There will be other tickets out and just which will be favored at the polls no one can say. The present mayor, S. A. Bryan, is now in Miami and it is not known whether he in tends entering the race or not. H. D. Lamb returned to Fort Ben ning last Saturday after spending several days with homefolks. Miss Lucile Williams returned home Sunday after visiting friends and rel atives in Macon. The Baptist church revival came to a close Friday night, with a total of 23 new members. Miss Emmie Carroll was the guest of Miss Agnes Griffin the past week. Cyrus Johnston was a Macon vis itor Tuesday. Roy Dennard and A. L. Parker transacted business in Macon la Wednesday. Miss Lois Hill and father, T. 1 Hill, were visitors in Montezuma la: Sunday. Mrs. J. C. Heath returns with them. Miss Nellie Johnston of Bullard I is the attractive guest of Miss Frar I ces Johnston. ! ' : i Mr. and Mrs. W. P. Green are vis iting relatives in North Carolina. Mr. and Mrs. H. W. Hiett and children have returned home after visiting homefolks in Alabama. Mr. and Mrs. R. E. Thompson and little daughter, Lucile, spent last Sunday with Mrs. W. R. Williams. Robert Lamb spent the week-end . here with homefolks. 1 1 Miss Lena Wilson is visiting her I sister, Mrs. H. M. King. — ... Miss Lucile Lamb is able to be up again after being sick with typhoia fever. We regret to learn of the illness of Miss Mildred Maxwell. Q. J. Butler returned home Mon day evening after having spent sev eral weeks in Florida. Mrs. W. P. Williams, Walter and Mary, spent last week-end in Macon. Miss Elizabeth Maxwell shopped in Macon Wednesday. Miss Evelyn Johnston, of Sanford, Fla., is visiting at the home of her mother, Mrs. G. F. Johnston. >. A Application For Order to Sell Land. GEORGIA, Wilkinson county. To whom it may concern: Take notice that I have applied to the Ordinary of said county for an or der to sell the following described lands of the estate of Mrs. Daisy Sanders, deceased, to-wit: 145 acres of land lying, being and situated in the 331st district, G. M., Wilkinson county, Georgia, and bounded as follows: On the North by Bobb Lee; on the South by the lands of Mrs. J. J. Brooks; on the East by the W. S. Myrick place, and on the West by Jack Francis. If there be no legal objections filed. at the September term of the court of Ordinary of said county said vice, nvill be granted. Witness my hand and seal this the 3rd day of August, 1925. J. E. BUTLER, Ordinary. Culling the poultry flock pays as well as any job done on the farm, if practiced ; ..u ' Rainfall in some sections of Geor gia is more han 20 inche, beh w nor mal, accordi tig to the report of the weather bur au.
