Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-05-23
Queslions Cor the CandIdates.


Gen. Gordon and Maj Bacon pretend TO
have opinions respecting certain ques-
tiOns which are closely connected Win
the interests Of the state; but, for some
reason or other, they have very little to
saw about these questions. Up to the
present time they have devoted their at
tention almost wholly to matters which
are purely personal.
The people would like to know whether
they are IN favor of modifying the present
railroad commission law, or of maintain
ing tia it is: whether they think the
present convict system is the best that
can be adopted; whether they believe that
an assessment law that would secure an
honest assessment Of property Is needed,
and whether they propose to use their in
/ nuence TO have the State road sold or
again leased.
While both candidates have touched
upon all these questions. except the one
relating to assessments. they have not
discussed them in a way to leave no doubt
/ about their positions with regard to them.
| If they differ on all, or any of them, why
not let the people know the ones on which
they differ and their reasons for difierlng?
/ These questions are certainly of far more
! importance to the people than those
which grow out of the records of Gen.
Gordon and Maj. Bacon.
At the last session of the Legislature
weeks were spent in discussing the Rail-
road Commission law. An eXtraordi-
nary effort was made to have it modified.
I T.,tIn hrrR /
clearly demonstrated that there is a
strong sentiment throughout the State in
favor Of giving the railroads greater con-
troll of their affairs tnan they now ENJOY
under the commission law. Are the can
| 1idates who are now engaged in an ex-
citing struggle for the nomination for
Governor afraid TO say that they are on
one side or the other of this important
question: Do they propose to straddle 1t
with the hope of getting the support OF
the friends OF the commission and also of
the railroads? II they are so courageous
in attacking the personal records OF each
other why not show a little courage in
taking hold of this railroad commission
question in a manly, straightforward
way2
And the demand for an honest assess
ment law, what have they to say about
| that? We know that such law is OPP
posed by all who dodge an honest pay
meut of taxes, but that Is no reason why
an honest man, seeking a great Office,
should not declare himself in favor of
protecting honest taxpayers by forcing
all proDerty-hOlders to bear their legIti-
mate burden Of taxation.
WHO'S there in the State who does not
know that the present convict system is
pernieiOus and dangerous? Because it
is an easy and cheap way of getting rid
OF the convict question we shut our eyes
to Its evils. We virtually say that it an
swers for the present, and that those who
come alter us must find a way to get rid
of the evils which it is fastening upon the
| State. VINO is there who will deny that
this way of dealing with this important
matter is dangerous and even cowardly
! Our convict system is making a criminal
pauper class which is rapidly increasing
in numbers. 1t is brutalizing and demon
alizing. The men who are released from
the convict camps have neither the in
clination nor the capacity for hon.
est employment. AS criminals
they are more hardened then when
they were convicted. They have been
taught no way Of getting an honest living,
and, being physical and moral wrecks,
and being embittered against society,
they not only return to their evil ways,
but influence others to become violators
! 6 Il 10 q,
with an immense ignorant Negro
population. the time is not very distant
when the burden that our convict sy stem
is preparing for the people will be greater
than they viii be able to easily bear
And yet, these gentlemen who are so in
dustriously begging the people tC
make them Governor are dumb when
when asked for their solution OF this con
Wet problem.
Both Gen. Gordon and Maj. Bacon have
had something to say about the State
Road, but what? Does anybody know
their positions relative to the disposition
that ought to be made OF it? There was
a time when nearly the whole State want
ed it sold. Are not the arguments in ia
vor of selling it as strong now as they
were then? What business has a State
with a railroad? Is it not always
source of trouble? 1t is certain to be
constant and an irritating issue in poll
tics. IL is difficult to keep down the ide,
that it is a source of corruption. 1t help,
To furnish a school fund it is true, but thu
money that it would bring would furnIsi
as great a fund.
Now that Gen. Gordon and Mai. Bacol
have concluded to part company they ma,
give more attention 20 these question:
aud less to personal matters. IL is Ger
tain that they will increase their popu
larity by dong so.
IAN Explanation" Corrected.
In an article entitled San EXplana
ton" the Macon Telegraph says: