Newspaper Page Text
✓
The Pike County J T » 1
o ; ' j
ESTABLISHED IN 1888
PKl'FESSIONAL CARDS.
E. F. DUPREE.
Attorn«y »t l.»»
Xebtuoo, Georgia
E. A. STEPHENS.
ATTORNEY AT UW,
BARNESVIHE GA
DR. J. R GRAVES,
l itud Kur^utt.
Zebulon .... G.i.
MS. OR. M, C. HAGAN,
MEANSVILLE, GA.
Ladies o-.iroe and talk with mo or
wiito me lnoloslng stamp for reply. 1
will cure auy ordinary female or chronic
disease.
MONEY TO LOAN.
loans made promptly on improved
roa! estate.
T, F. DUPREE.
CHA5. J. LESTER,
ATTORNEY AT LA W.
BARMS'-V LLK, G A.
Office in S'-a-t’s building, over Post
•■See.
Loans negotiated on F< rm city
report v.
B C MURRAY,
l)4Hl »L
Hill bu Gridin Go.
M. W. BECK – C. R. GWJN,
MV.VMN
ZEBULON, GA.
A- A. MURrtHEY,
Attorney at Law.
5Jirif* vide, (Li.
♦
C, H. PERDUE.
l ten fiat.
,.ARN LSVILLE, GA
mice ov ./Ljyilbl-i " 8 r. Dru«
_
HOWARD HOUSE,
J, J. HOWARD, Proprietor,
ZT, BULLS’, ( .
.
'
jSrMerla at all hours. Transient tia.e
SOiic'ited.
R. T. DANIEL – A. U. PUFF
Allornoys at Law,
ZEBULON and GRIFFIN, GA.
W. W. LAflBDIN,
Atlormjy And Counselor At Law.
A UN ESVILLii, G.v,
>W °f^S5 *»Z%£\m , !x£*<8S–, sS3
Fe'ler.'tl, in BiJae, Uwsoti, >Ionr-H*- f»uifcs ftpooiali
ami Fultoa UonniicF, Ditroage a
ly. Louni negotiated,
„ 00 K IN YObft AUU 8 IS
, c pi-, uie-1 PU-:u aa-l t’* i< g"
-. a --(U vO-i iLii "el Pictures in -! rhat
*oin%ide. J will make y- u ■i line
Cabinet size photo.-, lore shot t ...e for
50 -c ts,
Q. W. GRICE.
GAttNKSViLLE, GA.
J. M. STRICKLAND,
Attorney and Couns3lor,at Law.
Git IF,IN, Gt
uffi -e over M rchanta ami flamer
Bank
J. R. WiLLIAMS,
Attorney at Law,
\\\ ,/acilce in Npa ding , Pike and
a! j.ir >e. (-fil tj* ti u?s a f>p** iairy .
Omce vivi» Slarcns W. H ct
G Hi® riy, GA
OB. E. L HANES !
Dzntist,
GRIFFIN, : GA,
: in b,ii. ijng ailjoiaine,
uiii "(<’ Willia U8–Son.
; a H. 1- 3. A EL Alb D ’
ny.Mt.ui,
GRIFiTN, q \,
ZEBULON, PIKE COUNTY GEORGIA, MARCH 28 , 1902 .
SPECIALTIES.
H. T. PILLS.
H. C- MIXTURE.
LA-G UIPPE T ABLETS.
—
These goods are sold
strictly on their merits and
if no good no pay.
We cany a full line of Drugs, Medicines, Fluid Fxtraets, Toilet
Extracts, Fine Perfumery, Combs, Brushes, Faints, Oils. We make a
specialty of fine Cigars and 'Tobaccos. Prescriptions fatefully com
pounded.
era. era. «b
e–emzsm mad C3'A5*s*i:d
3 I pan fl
OPENING SPEECH OF
NON. j. M. TEBRELL
At Canton, Cherokee County,
–a., Feb. 15, ID02.
(Stenographicaily Reported by C. P.
Willingham, Reporter of Blue Ridge
Circuit.)
Feilow Citizens: For several years
there has been division among tho
white voters of Georgia, and in some
sections considerable strife and bit
terness have resulted from such divi
sion, The era of good feeling which
now seems to be dawning upon us
promises a speedy and complete re
union of the white people. Let ns not,
» the adtflSntstTfttioh o* our party
laws, do aught that may serve to keep
alive our past family quarrels. Let
us rather administer the affairs of the
Democratic party in such a manner aa
will evoke the sympathy and support
of all the people who are devoted to
the great underlying principles of
Democracy, irrespective of past party
'^Rations.
The host interests of the State and
of the people will be subserved by the
permanent reunion of the white people
in the Democratic party. This is such
a self-evident proposition that it may
bo termed a political axiom.. The
Democratic party deserves the support
of all the people, for since it too!:
charge of the State Government in
1872 it has sought to properly and fair
ly enact such legislation as was deem
ed for the beat interest of the people
and In accord with their wishes.
Through the agency of Democratic of
ficials the affairs of the Government
have'been honestly and faithfully exe
cuted. The few exceptions serve to
prove tho corroctnesa of this proposi
tlon.
I^t us for a moment consider tho
j present conditions of the State’s finan
■ ciql affairs, and compare them with
the condition which existed in 1872.
We can float our public debt at a rate
of interest as low as any state in the
j j Union, or as the United States Govern, the
meat. Does not this prove that
j business world has every confidence in
cur State Government, and in the peo
ple back of that Government? Such
was not the condition in 1872. Then
j we had to pay seven per cent, and even
! eight per cent, for money with which
1 to meet our maturing obligations. Now
we can float our debt at k-ss than 2%
per cent. The pres-nt bonded indebt
edness is about $7,803,000; hence, in
the item of interest Rlone the'." ir, an
annual saving of about ?275.<'>00. Be
f sides this, the public debt is being
annually decreased by the retirement
: of at least $400,000 of bonds every
i year—something that was riot dream
«d of before the Democratic party was
placed in charge of our affairs.
| We are told, however, that the tax
| ! rate is higher than it was in 1872. 4 mill3, That
is true. In 1872 the rate wac
or $4.00 on every thousand dollars en
tered upon the tax digest. It is now
6.44 mills, or $5.44 on every thousand
| dollars. Why is it higher? Solely be
cause the people of Georgia have so
villed and directed. They demanded
the common school system, and voted
: tor it- in the adoption of the Consti
, tution of 1877, arid Democratic Legist
J iaturcs, id supporting that system,
ft. C. pitta, A tine Tonic Pill for
weakness, general debility, blood puirll
or, loss of appetite, indigestion .to.
ft. C. fixture.—For coughs, Hoarso
ness, Bronchitis and all kindred troubles
of the lungs.
Ra-enppe Cableta. -For La Grippe,
Colds, Soreness in M usclea Ac as a result
of colds.
have only been carrying out the vdshoa
of the people.
The people demanded pension* foT
the v.oafedorato veterans, and Demo
cratic Legislatures submitted to them
Constitutional amendments authorizing
such pensions These amendments
were ratified with practical unanimity,
ami Democratic Legislatures have exe
cuted the will of the people by appro
priating money necessary to pay pen
sions.
In 1872 there was practically no
school system and no pension system;
hence the money coming into tho
State Treasury from all sources was
expended only In the payment of the
interest on the public debt and for
th<- support of the Government. Were
we to bo apply the money coming into
the State Treasury now, from nil
sources except property tax, we would
have a surplus of nearly $50,000 per
annum. In oHier words, we could pay
tliM 1 Yitfctl'GBt ‘in cutr WmtI it! VK-tM, iXHU
support the state Government and ail
tin- various public institutions from
the rental of the Western and Atlan
tic Railroad and from special taxes,
without imposing any tax whatever
upon the property of the citizens, and
still have a surplus of between $ tO.OOG
and 150,000 every year, liy levying a
property tax of thirteen cents on the
one thousand dollars we could pay in
terest, suport the Government and
public institutions, and pay $.100,000
on our bonded debt annually. This
may appear startling, but the follow
ing statement, taken from the Comp
trollcr-Oencral’s report, proves its cor
rectness ;
“The total revenue paid into the
Stato Treasury for tho year ending
September 30, 1901, four last fiscal
year), amounted to $3,80-1 ,lj 5.73. Of
this amount the following items re
sulted from the State levy of 6.4-1
mills on property returns, ad valorem:
021
A probity tax o? V> 1 on the
$1,000 would yUM oa $400,000,000
worth of prop- ity $«'>.<;*>, or more
than enough to oupply the
Leaving or ti." - r-mkmg fund,
wc would -ia.': - ''
The Incrci-::? In ii, : imbcr c: inmates
in the various .-- mo.yna.-y lnstRu
tions of the Start", the establishment
of new institutions ana other noces
sary .gove-rnw: tnl : penses inciuent
to iacrea:-.. '• wpi.;;.R--», -vill to a con
siderable ext at oft:,-: i c increase in
taxable vain- since -xi -. i
j^ 0 glat(> lo the Union, no govern-
mein; m the civilized world, can make,
such a magnificent showing. If
state, is appropriating too much mon
ey to the common school system,
or to the pension system, you
need no change of party administra
tion to bring about smaller appropria
tions. If, on the other hand, you ap
prove the common school system and
the pension system, the same will bu
continued.- You t-ave only to make
you. wishes Known through your rep.
resentatives In the General Assembly,
and the Democratic party will act as
It has always done in the past—make
your will the law of the land.
I eomo before you today soaking the
Democratic nomination for the highest
office within your gift. It Is therefore
meet and proper that I should define
my views upon the public questions
which are now pending, or Which may
arise for determination during tho
next two years. It will bo my pleas
ure, as it is my duty, to frankly, fairly
ami clearly discuss these questions.
Taxation.
Tlie first question that I desire to
bring to your attention is one that
concerns every citizen of the common
wealth—that of taxation. It is a Ques
tion that has commanded, and attll
commands, the gravest consideration
at tic hands of every government and
of every people in tho civilized world.
Human Ingenuity hah hovel' been able
to devise a perfect system of taxa
tion, but I make bold to say that no
better system has yet been proposed
than that provided by our Constitu
tion.* This instrument declares that
-‘all taxation shall be uniform upon
the ;:nme class of subjects, and ad
valorem on all property subject to be
taxed, within the territorial limits of
the authority levying the. tax.” It la
therefore the duty of the law-making
power to so frame legislation as that
the burden of taxation may bo uniform
upon all property subject to taxi.!ion,
according to value; and, until our leg
islation roaches that standard tho full
measure of the justice and equity
which is Imbedded In this const itu
w i t.itwit t uUiiui uu tiJijcjy«:ii uy
the people.
The citizen, whether personal or
corporate, is never eager to pay taxes;
homo .the machinery for enforcing
payment should be perfectly and fair
ly adjust, d. It ,should clearly rcat;b
and cover every class of property;
for, under thfss provision of the Consti
tution. all property Is included. The
same rule should apply to the corpo
ration as to -the individual. In per
forming the duties incident to the high
position of Chief Magistrate as re.
gards this question, as well as all
others, I can and will act with the
strictest Impartiality, and without fa
vor or' prejudice to any.
1 have no Interest in any corpora
tion, except that which should, and
dqes, actuate every good citizen whn
would promote the prosperity of his
state and the people, Having no in
terest in any corporation, of course
1 have no official connection with cor
porationa of any character; nor have
l ever been a railroad official, and
thereby Imbibed a feeling of opposi
tion to the rights of tho people which
gome persons attribute to railroad of
ficials, but which, I think, they do
not as a rule deserve, for some of
Georgia'n noblest sons have been, and
are now, connected with these corpo
rations. Nor have I, as an attorney,
ever represented a railroad corpora
tion. On the ether hand, f have had
some litigation against them. Never
having been a railroad official, nor n
railroad attorney, nor in any Other
way been in the employ of a railroad
corporation, I hr ve of course never
been discharged from either of such
positions. Hcr.ce, my career bss not
been such as to cause me to entertain
for these interests either the slightest
favor or prejudice, and I feed that 1
can faithfully discharge every duty
devolving upon your governor, with
equal and exact .justice to the people
and to the railroads alike.
Our law for the return and collee- ,,
tion of steam and td.r< -1 railroad taxes
was enacted In 18.4, under Ut« . or,fits
tution of 1868, and it is difficult for
the tax officers to enforce the law in
gtieb a way as will ina'xc elective, to
the fullest extent, the provisiotts of the
Constitution of 1877. I th'nk tills law
should be bo amended as 1 > give these
officers that authority. For instance,
lt is an open question as to whether
the franchises of quasi public corpora
tions arc taxable under cur
law. Legislation is therefore needed
to remedy this defect. That mod" tax
officer, Comptrollcr-Genoral
has on several occasions sought to
have those corporation* tuclude »«»
their returns the value of their Ran- .
cnises. Whenever he has changed
their returns by making arbitrary us- J f
seasmontz as provided by law,-tbs cor
poiatiom-i would donand^ as ail ta<- ■
payers have a right to demand, an ar
bitratiou of their returns, and any j
award of the arbitratoiB. under the
SUBSCRIPTION PRICE K 1.00.
present law, Is final and conclusive, as
lias been several times held by the
courts. Hence the question will con
tinue to be an open, one until there is
appropriate legislation upon Hie sub
jeet. Thus- believing, I here and now
again commit myself to the policy
lined in my letter of announcement,
to the effect that tho franchises of
quasi public corporations shall be
mad" to bear an equitable shave of the
t burdens of taxation.
in lids I'l'mnoeliou I d. .■•ire to say
that, l« if.;- ju.ir.ntenl. with Y;,;,vku.i
ami': Imrnis to ;,.x in ... ■ •. >1 1 . b-nt
Imoui'Y . in tie i-oHei-ti’d to n’llhornte a
considerable reduction of the present
high rare of. taxation. I t us have
just end equitable tax laws, and then
so enforce tlimu as rhat property or
every kind and character nutv be
reached and entered upon the tax 'll
goal. When (ids Is done wo will find
that the Government and the public
in. tomio:.,; can !>.- i» .jp< riy d,
ami ample appronilotions made tor
i bools nod i" onions, wiiii :t much
lower tax-rate than is now necessary.
V,: can tlu-n maki a ronJcteiable re
dm tion in Hu' rat - annually, by rca
- "C Ilf (!■(> iut :v;e-.ed pro:vi (. obla
tion, and by pi net icing rigid ,-.. .so
iuv in tho expotidlnu-.- m public men
>->-. Which elmulil be dune to the full
'-si - . ..t. L v, - h qi: lotion,
iu"! cnfoi-i .-d, i .in vell pup.*
te i-.iicli iii two or threo years that
(■(Hurt inn vie: n.i p,-,ipi. c(v lax will
lie ........ ........ :.i .or edn.-utloiial
purposes. 1 shall, if elected, use ev
ery endeavor to bring about, this most
desirable end. The present tax rate in
too high. Let us not only sec to it
that it is not increased, but decreased;
for a high rate, no matter for what
purpose it may bo levied, bus a tenden
cy to chock the .growth and prosperity
of the commonwealth. Nothing would
beget, more’ confidence In the business
world than the knowledge that, there
was a limit to the amount which the
citizen might be called upon.to con
tribute in way of taxes to the sup
port. of the government. I therefore
favor taking steps to ascertain the very
lowest amount that would he necessary
OURI'WI, r,\j > I tiiaciit,, -u-u uy
suitable amendment to the Constitu
tion limit the authority of the General
Assembly to that rate.
Education.
Our public school laws hav.- never
seemed to fully meet the necessities
of the people, Some amendments are
desirable for the put-pos of having the
common schools better adjusted to
presept conditions; and especially is
this true of the rural schools, ;i
view of the monotonous irregularity
.
vvuli which the teachers aro paid, it
is surprising that the system' has been
o. any service to the people what
ever. We have laws which authorize
and direct monthly payments to those
faithful servants, and yet they are not
even paid quarterly, and sometimes
not semi-annually.
What, would become of the mer
chant, the farmer, the banker or any
other basin ess man, who employed hia
hefii with the agreement to pay them
monthly, and then put them off from
time to time, thereby forcing them
to discount wages already earned!
Would not such employees lose inter
est. in their employer's welfare? Would
not a business roan who adheres to
such a policy soon go to the wall!
The same business principles apply to
the State that, apply to the individual.
This should no longer bn the policy
of the State. Let tho teachers stand
upon the same piano aa do all othei
officers and agents of the government
‘ There is but one obligation of the
state that, In my judgment, occupies
such a posit on aa to entitle it to priori
fy in payment, and that obligation ic
the public debt of the State. Our
standing in the financial world de
pends almost entirely, upon the prompt
ness with which we mod. this obliga
tion.
I love the common schools of Geor
gia. One of these wae my alma mater,
I trust no unfriendly hand may evet
j, e la , a upon that Hyrtetn . upon it the
futur0 prosperity and greatness of our
maflll y rests. The State is com
»Dtted to the education of her chil
-iron, and the du.y is ut-'on us to gee
that every child within our borders
is given an opportunity to obtain at
least an education in the ..elementary
jsngjjgj, branches. X am a firm be
jj ever j n y, e education of the iaa«ees,
and t B f ucelfe jy hope 1 to see the time
w Uen every whlf.: child in Georgia i<m
of age way know how t0 rca ,i
aij|J wrlte j.et ua of this gcacratlon
our pHrt ,, v , a ,,; a , fcat end , aad we
may then assure ourselves that this
g i or j 0U 8 old commonwealth will be
gaf(J Jn thg haiJ(j3 of tlw Kt!4! .
eratlon
While I entertain theut* lie on i.he
auuject of coj.,.h-> i :
not detract in me id-c*
tho mean* »a-1 »dvre'-yee v.-fijeb »£•
nio ohfltlpwi 'of WGrgla an oppor
(>• ■'<> for higher education. On the
‘>Hhand, all State institutions of
thf:: Wmractftr should bo property
■ in.^ct and enijparieU. I think we
■ go a step'farther and actor.il
u. C-.n-i-.tituttdh so as to authorize the
Ansembty to attend the ta:<
•.....nation so as to include endow.
j m, nr., of all educational institutions.
•-.» the fund is not ho invested ,n»t
i" ••• in competition with the bust
nose and common lai 1 interests of other
citirens. This should he done for tho
rouf:nu th–t ptopeity devoted to such
’■’ Purpose –s is so W manifestly make it gnlra for tcx-J^M thejnib*
public property. It U dcvot^BjgBjHpi
t0 l * ie upbuilding of tho State,
small pittance collected irom these in
stitiiiions in the way of taxes 1st not
on b’ on injustice to them, but to. ft
«msl.1«r*blo extent act r.e an embargo
upon the generosity of many who de
sire to contribute of their wealth to
^ rbese worthy institutions. Such was
**> 0 State prior to 18/7,
® n ^ ’ n the .interest of the higher edu
cation of the white chfld-cn of floor.
*’ la we *houW —;r return nw imii i¥rTrT to that imiiinri— policy',
^ *to * sa F the hfgher education
ox the white children of Georgia? Be
ca,,B ® there is a negro-college hi
tp ,!as R larger endowment, eon
tril.uted by the people of the North*
* l,an the inetltutlobs ;
in
devoted to the higher-educa
!'° n °* *-^* w ltBe ®*>dowmcnt wl!dtija.!b^Not fine dol-:
' a ' s Is invested in
P here. c ® r Kl*. Several nnd therefore of these Institution:: is not taxable
aro
for Ii.w-o children, and tho.tr endow
tito exceed by several time's the
'or,!Mimd endowments of tho white
1 'I", yet not one 'dollar of this en
dow; .ent. money'is invested here, and
i i -oro tg not. reached for-taxation.
G- i.-' is on© or the few states in tho
: :i where such funtln arc taxed,
I' 1 >'e protection of these fhsttth
i ; •; well as for (V protection of
< b n. such exemptions should bo
W- - - i whore tho fund
bu i m of oomniereial enterprises,
Di>- investments are set always
■ »'V; and, moreover, no citizen In tho
-ivr* of commercial world shophl
.... through Bovernmental fa
These funds should be in-,
v : i only in safe and approved se
ll’-:' (■: real estate. The sugges
t 1 iiit*; considerable proportion of
tii irnl estate of one county or ona
< if mif.-bt bo owned by thean tastitu
i a.id thereby acrtously affect the
It" ■; r ;!'i of that county or city, is not
fi --riiorlous ftiTumcnt against this
1 ('ovdltutionai amendment,
id: u-ii a condltiott may be easily pro
i bb’d ''or by appropj-iaftc legislation,
TP" ‘-.frit-’ -,’or.t that s.*!i an amend
vr- ; would bo unfriendly to the State
; i::\ ’-rity is likewise without merit.
TP" disiitiguished Chancellor of that
in- i ituth;]) has, on rercral occasion^
In I;.-, indorsed the. wisdom and jus
t«--- <0 ttu- proposition and given it.
I:-,ualitivd approval. .’
*.
T)i< re Ir another matter, cdneatlOn
fii iu t- ’lature, that I desin* to-diachSB
- - <■!• in this connection. The laws
or: -'a very wisely provide for the
i;:- i * - ■ -; m of all fertilizers offered lor
. v in Dio State. The companies marr
o - ■ Ring auch fertilizers are requir
ed t •-) pay p. fee of ten cents per ton
- Mon. Under the prudent and
.
-j-.-i administration of this law
our Agricultural Department
- ...is .<-<iv to turn into the State Treat;
-:--- a front 5?-G,003 net. surplus derived
t iii.-i source. This being, In effect,
a upon the farming class, separate
nr-! -art from the tax on their prop
erty. it should be expended by the
still in such manner as will best tend
in lie upbuilding of. the agricultural
iiti.-resis of the state. Thin subject
b " not received the consideration at
t> • Lunds of our law malting power
u;ai it" importance deserves. The
fani of Georgia, as la demonstrated
\v fl: ■ last census, are ahead of those
tn mi.ut of the Southern States; but
flu ir progress has not been so marked
).- ihat of the farmers of the North
weed ; t;either has it kept pace, with the
vetopment of the State along other
Bin s. Tho st–to already furniahes
through that most valuable institu
tiua, tiic School of Technology, ramnxa
whereby her zone may become bet-; < it
-■ "’ijipcd for useful employment in .o
di'-.hia! fields. Why- not take tftr*
. ; plus, or a part of ft, and,-us© it -n
.nipping our youth; man for serious
a:.;! intelligent endeavor in the State's.
- ties and most Important industry
>.ru ]i iiiture?
Pensions,
f desire also to difecuse with you
tlic question of pension:-. While with
mo, as with yourselves., there is much
sentiment on this question, I have al
ways felt that there was a busin- 4
?M<; to tho pro,-a*IMoii. Tht
iiiouid be ftftti ..on against a) 11
1
,,oM I
.
Cont^ed fiB hp. *><
4