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COUNTY COURIER. VOLUME V—NUMBER 8. ATHENS, GEORGIA. NOVEMBER 18, 1001. PRICE 60 CENTS A YEAR A Police Commission The Next Thing In Order. r The recent sensational affairj in onr oity council at which an | attempt was made to “muzzle” j the employees of the city, but which at the last [.meeting of that body it was-killed, has caused a great many of our people tj> put on'their thinking caps and their eyes are being opened There was already an ordinance prohibiting the policemen from in any manner participating in politics except to vote, and that was usually known, but to further get the force who worked for the city in any capacity further under the control of the politicians the above ordinance was introduced, and its disousBion in the Courier has brought the matter forcibly to the notice of the people and they think it has not gone for enough, as the policemen should be relieved too. They are American[citizens and represent|what our forefathers fought, bled and died for and every true American cannot help from seeing this as it is, and to put a muzzle on their mouths when the pest interests of the city are at stake is wrong and out-of place. But as it has been done, we hare come to the conclusion that the best thing to do is to get them out of municipal politics—that is end we think so, too, and wel- rvi “ i n u rT l 7.‘iT--'-“ r r : i oome to tftke their olBCiJUjjivfjr*"!** * ,. the firemen, out ot' the hancts of the oity council .entirely. Put them under a commission and let them stand upon their merits under a oivil service examination. Of course that examination should be made on physical and mental qualifications. We sincerely hope that Capt. Rucker and Mr. Ca- rithers will make this one of their first duties when they meet in legislative 'session. Change the obarter of the oity so as to allow thiB, and it will be a tremendous help for various reasons. As the law now stands a police man lives in dread from the time he is elected, until the next time to bd bleated in fear of losing his job by some other man being elec ted to oonnoil who has a friend for the place, and it renders him in a degree inefficient, because even in the discharge' of his duties he must be very oareful who he ar rests and how he arrests them, whereas on the other hand, he would have to discharge his du ties to all. He would have to ar rest any violator whether he was one of the city’s eleot or a 1 man. from the country or any other offender. The time has come to make this ohange, the oity it getting too large to have its officers living ip eternal dread of some 2x8 politi cian who wants to oontrol 'him and his ’fluenoe. The abov. sug gestion is the only way out of it, ’ and we.kuow it will be seconded by all tlie people who want to see the oity grow, and not have it retarded by opposing political factious, tome of whom resort to most any thing to carry the ir point, and we believe our representatives will tee to it that the law it ohanged to subvert this end. FOR SALE. 12 Room House, 8 acres good land, just outside the oity limits, within 200 yards of the oar lino. Has every convenience to be bad in oity, except gat. See Brooks & Dozier, Roal Estate and Insur ance. The Racket Store To Open Again As will be teen from their ad- vertisement in this issue the Max Joseph Mercantile Co. are going out of business and the Globe Raoket Store Co., will occupy the beautiful store on Broad street, and are advertising their clearance sale. The new store will be under the management of Mr. H. W. Nich oles, who for several years ran the Racket Store. A company of unlimited capital will be behind the venture, and. it is bound to be a success. With such a close buyer as Max Joseph in the market, and Mr. Nicholes at the helm means that our city will be better advertised and business increased. Mr. Nicholes says he has been over several states siuce leaving here, but Athens has “got amove on it” which no two others can touch, and with a little commend able pride he claims to have bad asmething to do with its growth, John L- Arnold sells ti )iug except as guaranteed to'.be aa/rep resented. The Charity Bazaar. The Bazaar, gotten up for the ourpose of genuine organized charity, was most beautifully managed. The hall was decorat ed in a lovely manner, and the different booths were nicely ar ranged and were presided over by the following ladies: Drugstore. Mrs. Davenport and Mrs. Barnett. Grocery, Mrs. Conway, Mrs. Haselton; Miss .Wilkins and Mrs. Striokland. Closing, Mrs. M. G. Michael, Mrs. Snelling, Mrs. H. R. Palm- Hardware and -tinware, Mrs. Geo. H. Palmer, Mrs. Simon Mi chael and Mrs. George D. Thomas. Dolls and toys, Mrs. Ed. Mell and Mrs. J. Y. Carithers. Fish pond, Miss June Lyndon. Dry goods, Mrs. E. C.*Branson, Mrs. Q. D. Oox, Mrs. W. H. Da vis. • Home Journal, Mrs. D. H. Mc Neill. Heinz’s Free Demonstration booth was in oharge of Miss Jessie Jaokson. The ladies in the dining room were Mrs A. H. Hodgson, Mrs. A. Cohen, Mrs. Ohas. Stern, Mrs. A. Rhodes, Mrs. J. E. Gardner, Mrs. A. Cohen, Mrs. Philpot, and Mrs. 0. B. Chandler. The tables were tastily decorated, and the menu was superb. All the ladies worked from early morn till, late at night and are of oourse nearly worn out, but they did the work for a good and noble cause. Members of the lodge of Elks were untiring in their teal and energy for the success of the bazaar. We do not know how muoh was realized, but we are sure that the worthy poor will be made happy by the three days’ of toil on the part of these noble men and wo men. That For Which Our Fathers Fought, Bled and Died. Editob Courier I see you won the fight on the muzzle question. You have my hearty congratulations Being a new comer, while the fight waa on I had nothing to sav. Now, since the [fight is ended I know every body in Athens feels better; even those who voted for it feel better. All that any man harto do to enable him to settle a question and to settle right is to put him self in the place of the one or ones affected and see bow it feels. Since everybody feels better now I can say my little speech with out offending any one. Far be it from my desire or intention to ruffle the sensibilities of anyi It does seem to me that if there is anything on earth that is more sacred than all else, that is his political and religious liberties. They are so related and interwo ven, the one with the other as to be inseparable. We can have no religious liberties without politi cal liberties. The spirit that would take from a man his politics would take his religion. Now I know the men that voted for that measure. There is not one of them'that would vote to depriVe a man of his religious privileges; but they'are as'saored the one as tLe other. It is hu man to err and in the stress of business cares men sometimes act without mature reflection; that is wrong-but sometimes unavoida ble. To a man ofnioe sinsibili- ties, high-toned and honorable; 1 can imagine nothing more insult ing than to say to him, sir you shall not talk politics or religion, without at least qualifying the edict, by saying while in. the dis- brought about this condition that charge of your official duties, made it necessary to snatoh from ShadeB of our fathers for what did you, fight, bleed and die in the Revolution, and some of whose daughters were assembled here a- fewdays ago. Oh? Memories of the reoent past (only a littlo over one hundred years) whence art thou fled, and why wast thy dayB" so few on earth. My grandfather in the Revolution and my father in the oonteat of 1812. Dost no one cherish thy sacred memories now? 'Why not? Sons of noble and heroio sires oan you not stop and picture to yourselves some of the scenes of contest on the battl| A Sad lair.. Messrq. Hammond Childers and Joe Hunter, the oashier and tick et agent of the Georgia Railroad have gone to parts unknown, af ter leaving notes in whioh they state that they were short in their accounts, but that it was on ac count of errors, and they did not care to faoe the auditor, who is now overlooking the books. Wo have heard nothing but regrets expressed at the unfortuuate af fair, at both these young men had many friends whoVerede lighted to see them rise in thi world,' but whose hearts hie crush ed at the tad newt. Suoh thirj| as this does not bnly oripple i.6 young men for life, but makes it harder for other young men to get responsible positions. We have not learned the amount of the shortage. . field, some times feet bare and bleeding, and ask yourselves why all this sacrifice and suffering. Was it for past time, or was it that they might leave to you the priceless boon of civil and reli gious liberty. Let those of the higher estate look in mercy on those of the lower. A ruler of today may be a servant of tomor row. Some men live millionaires, die paupers and are buried a potter’s field. There is now, in this country an irrepressible con flict between plutocracy and de mocracy. There will be no more real rest for this country until that conflict is settled. What it will cost to settle it, no man can fore see or approximate. Yet it will have to be settled some day, in some way. Bourbon plutoc racy never learns anything and never yields a point, except to brute force. Bourbon plutocracy from the nature of the case is blind and can see nothing outside of self. Greed is bourbon plu tocracy, run mad, knows noth ing, can see nothing and cares for nothing that cannot be made or need to gratify self. The reason igned for muzzling the subor- iates was oomrjend&ble, had it j^h for the principle involved, them from the pestiferious CuXhenations of the politicians. That implies that politics and political practices are a cespool of corruption. The question is; who made, them so? What party is in cebttol and has been for the last forty years? Who furnished l£r means .to bring about, this abominable state of affairs? Was it' the common people: Who honorable men the most saored Tights they possess, before they can serve the public acceptably? Surely the fathers of the revolu tion never dreamed of descend ants so apostate and destitute of regards for their sacred memories. Again I would ask who brought about this lamentable state of tljirigs? Ohl for safe, sane and sound men now to take control of this oountry. Snatch us from within the jaws of perdition and restore to us a legacy befitting the iinory of our anoestry. Yours truly, G. A Few Words About The Chamber of Commerc The Killing of Mr. Thomason That was a terrible killing that happened on the corner of Broad and Thomas streets on Tuesday morning. It is a short story. Mr. G. C. Thomason, father of Mrs. Mewbern, of this city, while attempting to cross the street, stepped into the middle of the track within four or five feet of a moving car, and as it was utterly impossible for the motorman to stop it, he was knocked down and mangled beneath the wheels. Death was almoBt instantaneous. The deceased was 88 years old, and never had a headach or a day’s sickness in his remembrance. Old age was rapidly putting in its work, though and be was getting feeble. No blame could be at tached to any one. The remains were carried over to Elbert coun ty and interred. The accident was very much regretted by rybody, but was one of avoidable’ occi happen as the round. Dinner Sets, in French, Get man, English and American China at all prices at The Huggins China House. ft. •-The Jeweler uimittees Out. ^ ommittees are out now secur ing subscriptions for the Jeffer- sen and Athens railroad. We are stre that that road would do our o>5y good, and we should have it. Wo understand that they want Athens to give something like 830,000 in oash <(nd the terminal facilities. Well, that’s a pretty amount but Athens will give i^as wo nnderstaud that , the lo comotive on the new road will withiu our borders before must be paid. As this is made by Georgia meu luppose it is made in'good ind if so should be taken by our people and pushed iietion. tUest and cheapest‘line of Paper—largest stock at Jno. old’s. ; " You are looking for. What is the use of your forcing yourself to buy elsewhere? Y'ou know R. Brandt ib the best place; and you are only wasting time, if you don’t go to his store first. The season is here-for making selections and he has never had a better display than this fall. At R. Brandt’s you find the products of the best factories in the world; his pricetconipC?rw.ith any reliable jeweler in tbs United States. His guarantees are broad and satisfactory, so that you can go to him with the assurance that your requests or complaints, if any, will always receive liberal consideration and prompt atten tion, for it is a well-known fact that R. Brandt is absolutely re liable. It is not up to us, especially write or say anything degrogatory to the existence of tbs Chamber of Commerce, for we believe it is a good thing if it is worked right, but the question arises is it or has it accomplished wbat it should have done, being composed as it is of the backbone and sinew of tbe community? President Michael has put his whole heart and soul into it, but what can he accomplish almost single banded and alone, or what kind of a fllame can be start with icicleB hanging all around drop ping water here and there. It has been almost impossible to secure a quorum at these meet ings. For instance a meeting was advertised to come off at the city hall to take up the considera tion of the railroad to Jefferson on Monday, but there were only 11 people in the house. There must be something radically wrong somewhere—either the ad vertisement did not reach the people or they were too negligent city affairs to care mued about 1—thinking perhaps that^Aboee [ew who usually run the^jkmn, raid be.sufficient, ife afeUn- led that the members - pay dues regularly, but Won’t rad the meetings. What’s the mutter? Will this, too, be turned into a social club after a while. ’'-What becomes of all the money that is paid into by the members? If there are a hundred it should mean twelve hundred dollars a year—enough to establish a small industry a year, or buy the ground for a new hotel in three years. If it has been devoted to adver tising there are two or three print ing offices of this town that* have not found it out. Was the or ganization conceived and fostered for the*purpose of maintaining a private enterprise, with only a show at the public good? If not then why don’t the members take hold of it and do something for Athens? As we said before it is not ful filling the mission that was hop ed by the people, and it looks looks like there is something loose in the cogs. Coal Tongs, Pokers, Shovels, Coal Scuttles, Coal Vases at The Huggins China House. An exchange intimates that the doctors |in the Democratic party are very numeroua, and would like to have Dr. Jefferson reaur rented. Our idea is that it is too late for dootors now as the party is already growing cold. Mr. Atty and wife who have been on a visit to Capt. and Mrs. R. Nickerson for the past three weeks have returned to their home in New York state. Mrs Atty is a sister of Mr. Niokeraon. For Pictures and Picture Frames and Artists Materials go to John L • Arnolds. The United States court it a great thing for Athens at the Oourier predicted it would be.