The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-12-31
Always Ready to Explain.

II
Gov. Northen says that if at any time
anybody in Georgia wants an explanation OF
any OF his acts he will give it That is the
right kind of talk. 1t is not improbable
that he may do things that viii not be clearly
understood, and that will therefore be 50
construed as to create an impression unfa-
vorable TO him. 1t is always in his power,
however, to set the public right, and If he
does this promptly and willingly there is
no danger that he will be the victim OF in
justice for any considerable length of time.
The occasion of his making the foregoing
remark was an article in the Rome Trib-
une, in which it was insinuated that he had
been improperly influenced by Senator
Brown in appointing the betterment COM
mission The name of Judge McCrutchen.
one of the members of the commission, was
particularly mentioned as having been an
attorney for the old lessees Of the Western
and Atlantic railroad
In an interview relative to the appoint
ment Of the commissioners, Gov. Northen
says that no one except himself knew the
name of any one of them until their ap-
pointments were presented to the Senate.
Senator Brown did not know who were to
compose the commission, and he was not
consulted about any one mentioned for
commissioner. The governor says that
he determined to appoint no one
who had been member of
either of the legislatures which had dis
cussed the betterment question, for the
reason that the members of those legisla-
lures had expressed opinions with respect to
the question. What he aimed to do was to
appoint men who were unbiased, and who,
of the state.
With reference to Judge McCrutchen, he
says that his appointment was asked by the
representatives of thirteen North Georgia
counties, who said there was no reason why
he should not be appointed. The acting
attorney general, and others who were
known to be anxious that the state should
be dealt with fairly, said that there existed
no reason against Judge McCrutchen's ap-
poihtment
When Judge McCrutchen came to Atlanta
at the request of the governor he told the
governor that he had, on a number of occa-
sions, been the attorney for the Western
and Atlantic railroad, and that he had
taken cases against the road also. He
further stated that between him and the
Western and Atlantic railroad there had
existed no business relation for eighteen
months. Under the circumstances the gov
ernor could not see that there was any
objection to his appointment. And it is
doubtful if any other fair-minded man
could have seen any.
From his statement the governor seems to
have striven toappoint, men who would do
justice as near as they could to both the
state and the claiming lessees. Heinquired
carefully about each man suggested for
commissioner, and appointed no one whom
be thought would favor either the state or
the lessees. And 1t is pretty safe to say
that while the commission may not
make report that will be satisfactory to
the people, and not be just to the state, it
will be thoroughly honest report. An
error of judgment is possible, but there
need be no apprehension that sincere
effort viii not be made to do what is right.