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PEARSON®TRIBUNE
VOL. 3—N0.13.
PROPOSED ATKINSON COUNTY
Some Reasons Why
The Bill to create the new coun
ty ol Atkinson was heard before
the senate committee on Constitu
tional Amendments Thursday
afternoon of last week,
an unanimous recommendation
that it do pass. It was heard be
fore the House committee Friday
afternoon, which also recommen
ded that it do pass. These recom
mendations places the measure on
the calendars of both the Senate
and House for passage', requiring
a two thirds vote of each body to
win.
The opposition was put before
the committees in as strong light
as three astute lawyers McDonald,
Quincy and Dickerson, of Douglas —
could find words to express it, but
to no purpose. They were com
pelled to admit that the proposed
new county would have the neces
sary area, population and proper
ty values to make it abundantly
self support ing, and really had to
content themselves with urging as
"Reasons Why Not" the too close
proximity of the northern line to
Douglas, and that the county is
SBO,OOO in debt.
The advocates of the measure
replied to this argument by show
ing to the committees that the
northern boundary, as outlined in
the Bill, so far a.s it applies to
Douglas, is the same as agreed up
on by the grand jury when it, by
resolution, recommended the crea
tion of Atkinson county, and the
proximity of the northern line to
Douglas is no nearer than at the
inception of the Atkinson county
proposition, and farther from
Douglas than Pearson. The show
ing is absolutely true. The Bill
was prepared by this editor and
he knows the truth of the matter.
Neither of the old counties
have any bonded indebtedness.
Clinch county is practically free
from debt and in fair financial
condition. Coffee county has an
indebtedness of SBO,OOO. To the
debt proposition the Atkinson
county advocates replied that
much of the indebtedness was for
property that is and will remain
in Douglas and Douglas will reap
all direct benefit that may accrue
by virtue of tlx* indebtedness,
t'nder such -circumstances the
people of the proposed new coun
ty of Atkinson should not be
called upon to pay any part of it,
but so far as that part of the debt
which represents current expenses
is concerned t lie new county w ill
have paid its prorata share by the
time it is organized and begins
business on its own account,
'the effectually disposes of theop
position.
This quest ion of making of a new
county from the territory embrac
ed in this proposition is not of
recent origin. It reaches back
into the reconstruction period,
to 1871 when Dodge county was
created, when this section was
languishing under carpetbag and
scalawag government. It was
then proposed to create a new
county in this territory to be
named in honor of Judge Law, a
extemporary and law partner of
Hon. John McPherson Berrien, in
honor of whom Berrien county
was named, it was a meritorious
proposition then; it is a meritori
ous proposition now. It was de
feated then by the bitterness of
jKditical rancor; let it not be de
feated now because of sectional
antipathy or some other equally
senseless reason.
The editor of the Tribune was a
young man just emerging from his
teens during the reconstruction
period and, from then until now,
has contributed w hat he could to
the success and supremacy of the
Democratic party of the great
State of Georgia without reward
or the thought thereof. He has
never desired or sought political
preferment for himself. The sil
ver threads which now adorn his
temples admonishes that the end
of life with him is near at hand.
He now. in the evening of his life,
comes to the Democratic party of
his native State that ho has faith
fully served these years, as repre
sented in halls of legislation, and
asks not that he be honored witu
office but that justice may be
done his people, who are bearing
unjust burdens in the performance
of the duties of citizenship, a bur
den unparalled in any section of
the State; he asks that his people
may be given the advantages and
conveniences which a new county
alone can furnish. He desires no
special emolument for himself,
only that he may bo granted this
favor for his people—a favor
which the legislature can easily
and reasonably grant —one com
plete with merit, and one which
means much to his people and
will be greatly appreciated. He
wants to be remembered only for
the good helms accomplished for
his people.
The new county proposition has
the area, the population and the
necessary wealth to support it
handsomely; it would be a real
benefit to the old counties as well
;is t he new.
The report of the Board of Tax
Assessors for Berrien county for
this year shows a total proper)j
assessment, of $7,637.183.
It is interesting to note in this
connection that when the Tift on
District was taken from Berrien
in 1905 to form a part of tlx* new
county of Tift the people of the
parent county thought it was
ruined. Vet that year the returns
for all of Berrien, including the
Tifton District, were $1,792,992,
or just a little Over half of the
returns for the remaining districts
of Berrien alone this year,
In 1905 the Tifton District re
turned a little more than one
fourth of the taxable property in
Berrien county or $1,259,107. It
is to be noted that thik year the
Nashville District returned more
than'tifton in 1905 —or $1,309,06-1.
Adel is a close second to Nash vile
with $1,115,359 anil Alapaha right
up third with $901,706. In 1905
Nashville District returned $687,
726; Adel $456,128, and Alapaha
$316,223.
The growth of this section so
well illustrated by the figures
quoted, is something marvelous
and reads almost like an 1 topian
dream. In considering the above
it is to be remembered that the
county of Tift will return more
property for taxation this year
than the entire county of Berrien
returned in 1905.
This history of development
puts the kibosh on the claim that
the creation of new counties is
harmful to the people or burden
some to the state. —Tifton Gazet to.
The creation of the new county
of Atkinson would be an appreci
able advantage to the State at
large, the old counties of Clinch
and Coffee and the new county of
Atkinson. ,
Billi Bough ton’s Southern Star
Vaudeville Show will be in Pear
son all next week. If you are
looking for fun, go out to see it.
Mr. Bough ton has the reputation
of putting on nothing but first
class performances. He also has
motion pictures in connection with
his vaudeville.
PEARSON, GEORGIA, FRIDAY, 3 ELY ‘27, 1917
for fl?r Senate
Passes Bill to Create Atkinson County by a Splendid Majority
The Senate took up the Bill to
create Atkinson county Thursday
and passed it by a flattering vote.
The following senators voted for
the Bill:
lion. .1. P. Dukes, Ist district
“ H. 11. Elders, 2nd
S. C. Townsend 4th ’.’
R. G. Dickerson, sth ”
\Y. 11. Hendricks, (ith
“ 11. \Y. Hopkins, 7th
" 11. 11. Mexry, Bth
.1. C. Odom, 9th ”
“ R. T. Humber, 12th
M. B. ('ouneil, 13t h ”
" ,1. R. Dykes, 14th ”
Roscoe D. Peacock, 15th ”
James Davison, 19th
George Gilmore, 20th "
“ Geo. 11. Carswell. 21th ’’
.1. C. Beauchamp, 22nd ”
Ed Wohlevciider, 24 th "
R. Lenord, 25th ”
C. D. Red w ine. 26th ”
“ 11. 11. Price, 27th ”
PROGRESS OF THE WAR
The people as America are be
giuing to realize that she is to
carry the biggest end of this world
war, that, she is called upon to
furnish men, money, munitions
and supplies of every conclivable
character; that the exigencies of
the occasion require the exersize
of patriotism of the highest char
acter.
The events of the past week
show a weakening of the entente
allies across the water, and the
mutiny in the Russian army is
great cause for alarm. It is hoped
(lull Russian authorities, headed
by Premier Kerensky, may succeed
in bringing order out of this chase
and again present a solid front to
the enemy. The provisional
government of Russia has been
forced to adopt a strong policy in
dealing with the mutineers. Tlx*
Russian situation is a precarious
one, just what may be expected of
any people who have been held in
ignorance and poverty during the
centuries that have past. Ab
solute freedom al this time, when
a strong military policy is needed,
has brought about this alarming
sil nations. However, the assure
anee of the Russian government
that it will he able to cope with
the situation is a rift in the cloud.
Russian cavalry is doing good
work in guarding the retreat of
the main army, saving it from
complete annihilation. The
Roumanian army is also doing
yeoman work in the effort to re
trieve the loss sustained by the
disorganization of the Russian
army. They broke through the
Austro German lines on the Mold
avian front, forcing the enemy to
retreat in disorder, capturing a
number of cannon and many
prisoners.
There seems to be quiet prevail
ing along all fronts, except the
PEARSON PUBLIC SCHOOL BUILDING
“ Boyce Fieklen, 29th ”
s C. O. Stevens, 30th "
1 ('has. 11. Edwards, 32nd
M. B. G. Logan, 33rd
Alonzo Field, 34th ”
\V. P 0 Andrews, 35th
J. T. Kirby, 36th
Frank S. Loft in, 37th
I. F. Mundy. 38th
“ E. M. Blackwell. 391 h "
T. L. Bynum, 40th
T. A. Browm, Itst ”
R. A. Denny, 42nd ”
“ E. H. Beck, 43rd ’’
\Y. (’. I (ullonder 441 h ''
To those t hirty-five senators and
Hon. S. L. Olive, of the 18th dis
trict, the President of the Senate,
who would have voted "Aye” had
it been necessary, the Tribune, in
behalf of the friends of Atkinson
county, extend heartfelt thanks,
and assure them Dial their help
in tlx* creat ion of t his new county
will ever he held in grateful re
nminbi* ranee.
eastern and western. (hi the wes
tern front there has been activity
by the Brit ish in Belgium —violent
artillery duels and some infantry
attacks —resulting in some- ad
vances by British. There
has been intense fighting on the
French front w ith see-saw results.
The swall kingdom of Siam, in
southeast. Asia has entered the
war on the side of the entente al
lies. Its first activity was to seize
all German vesssels in Siamese
ports, said to number 19,000.
The plucky little kingdom of not
inure than 8,000,000 people will
"notchc able to muster more than
one division of t roops, She seems
determined to “do her bit."
Notwithstanding tlx* obstruc
tionists the United States is mak
ing preparations and forwarding
to the battle fronts sinews of war
as rapidly as possible. Reports
from the contingent already in
France indicate that the Ameri
can soldier is quick lo adopt I im
self to tlx* prevailing mode of war
fare, and w hen the American army
gets to the bat Ile front there will
be something doing for Germany
lo consider.
Ths eadilest incident of t lie pres
ent session of tix* legislalure was
the accident which led to the
dentil of Senator A. A. McCurry,
of fix* 32nd district. lie was
struck by an automobile belong
ing to J. 11. May, of Adel, which
was being driven by a negro cliaf
four. The accident occurred Wed
nesday and the Senator died Sun
day. The remains, under legisla
ture escort, was carried to his
home at Hart.well, Hart county,
for interment, Senator McCurry
was a most influential member of
the Senate and liis eolleagres, as
well as all Georgia, exceedingly
regret his untimely end.
PEERLESS PEARSON
Her History and Growth.
In 1916, Pearson having already
outgrown that of J 906, the Mayor
and Council procured the passage
of a Bill providing a new charter
for the “City of Pearson,” With
much enlarged responsibilities
and powers. It furnishes the
foundation fora splendid little
city, and this foundation is both
stable and expansive. It enables
the City Fathers to broaden out,
and build a strong, well-balanced
community, with all the necessary
public utilities of which such a
community is expected to provide.
The new charter provides "way
and means" by which the city's
educational facilities may be en
larged, the school district to be
enlarged, and a board of education
representing all the educational
conflicting interests, and all
further necessary buildings,
furniture and apparat us. All the
school property is owned by the
city, but the little and manage
ment is lodged in a Board of
Education, composed of five
members, and it is authorised and
empowered to receive and dispose
of it, and all gifts or donations of
property or money on behalf of
the school interests of the city, so
as to convene and protect all
property in the city dedicated to
the education of the city’s young
people and others who may choose
to avail themselves of it. The
Tribune has heretofore referred to
to the haudsomewnew brick school
building for white pupils, with its
capacious auditorium and class
MASONIC TEMPLE, SATILLA LODGE
rooms. The auditorium is the
largest in the county and will
comfortably scat 900 to 1.000 peo
ple.
The city authorities through
the Board of Education, will ten
der this auditorium, together
w ith the music and art rooms, in
tlx* event of the Croat ion of At
kinson county, to the county
authorities for the courts for a
term of five years, so that the new
county will not be burdened with
a bond issue or high taxrtion to
secure necessary public buildings
in the morning of its existence.
The Tribune reprints the picture
of tlx* building, so that the public
may see that the courts of Atkin
son county would have comforta
ble quarters. Besides this the
county officers can Is* provided
with quarters, as little or no ex
pense, for a like term. Tlx* two
story frame Masonic Temple,
across the street from the
auditorium, can be readily
converted —that is, tlx* lower story
—into neat offices for their use
until such time as public buildings
can be provided by tlx* county.
A picture of this building is pre
sented in this connection.
Under tlx* new charter of 1916
the following officers have been
SI.OO A N FAR
elected:
Mayor —Jeff Kirkland.
Council men (long term) —Joe
Corbett and F. F. McNeal.
Council men (short term)—M.
W. Corbitt, N. E. Harrell and J.
<). White.
Clerk and 'Pax Receive! —B.
Kirkland, Jr.
Treasurer —Wm Smith.
Marshall and Tax Collet to i
J. L. Ricketson.
Board of Educat ion—Jeff Kirk
land, Win. Smith N. F. Harrell,
F. E. McNeal and \\ . M. Corbett.
These gentlemen represent the
progres and prosperity of the city.
'rhe population of the city lias
increased rapidly since tlx* organ
ization of the city’s public school
system. It has nearly doubled
since 1910, the Tribune cannot
speak from any sort of census
report but thinks that a l! uisand
population would be a vi y con
servative estimate:
The citizenship of the city is
composed mainly of progressive
people, who believ* in building
for the future. Hence, alll public,
buildings erected are of I lx* most
substantial character. I.iiey are
frank, conservative and hospitable.
No more honorable people live
anywhere.
The taxable resources of the
city does not show anything akin
to the real property values. It is
estimated that the real estate
values of the city, would, fairly
considered, be more than $500,000,
The tax digest shows something
like fifty per cent of that amount.
The preliminaries for public
utilities, privately °wnc(l, such as
water and light plants have been
arranged and will in tlx* near fu
ture be a reality; the city is keep
ing pace with all progressive com
munities in this matter of public
utilities and conveniences.
The mayor, lion. Jeff Kirkland
is a grandson of the father of the
city, lion. Beuejah Rearson, who
owned the land, had it surveyed
and platted into a village, and af
ter whom il is named. Mr, Kirk
land was a boy when the village
waf laid out and lias grown up
with it. He was here and saw her
in swaddling clothes; saw her grow
into a towh and incorporated and
was her first mayor; and is her
first mayor as six* assumes the
dignity and responsibility of a
city, lie is widely known as one
of Coffee county's very best and
most honorable citizens. He is
engageu in farming and tlx* manu
facture of ciMsst.je; and naual
stores,
()f Ihe < 'ouneil in* n, Mes rs N.
I-',. Harrell was corn and reared in
Coffee county. Jo Corbitt'..!. <>.
White ami W. M. Corbett, was
born rnd reared in Clinch county
near l’earson. Mr. McNeal came
from Berrien coubty.