The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1893-04-18

county and served in the sessions of 1871
with great distinction. On account of
feeble health: he declined a reelection in
1874. In 1876, be was a delegate to the
national democratic convention in st.
Louis and one of the committee to notify
Samuel j. Tilden of his nomination to the
presidency. In that year he was elected
again to the legislature and reelected in
1877 after the adoption of the new consti-
tuition. He ranked always as one of the
ableSt members of the house and served
with great influence upon the judiciary,
railroad and special railway committees.
He was AFTERWARDS elected by the general
assembly to be judge of the Southwestern
circuit. He was twice reelected, but in Dc
tober 1891, he resigned from the bench
he had so conspicuously adorned to accept,
from Governor Northen his present Office of
railroad commissioner.
1t will be unquestioned from any source
that the calm and dispassiOnate views of
such an eminent Georgian upon public af-
fairs will be worthy of serious considera-
ton. Finding Judge Fort amable to his
approach, q representative OF The Consti-
tuition asked from him some expression of
opinions upon current political matters and
the result is herewith set out:
The Financial situation.
Judge, sine eve have obtained the de-
sired change in the administration, what
thought do you take concerning the press
ing question of financial relief"
well, sir, it was understood that the
democratic party, when it got into power,
would give the country financial relief first,
by reforming the tariff i'll every particular,
where possible, and especially by large re-
auctions of the duties. Then by repeating
nicious effects. Next by repeating the
10 per cent tax on bank issues of currency,
as that is "a measure that
promises great deal of relief by increasing
H.. x~t,,y
a good, sound state circulating mudium.
whereby the congestion of money in one
place. as in Wall street. viii cease through
the increase of the number of money cen
terS.'
what about the silver question and the
expectations based upon its treatments?
ut was expected that some relief would
result from the legislation on silver W hlle
the Chicago platform plank on silver did not
meet the views of free coinage men fully,
they subscribed TO it as the best thing at
tainable then. 1t was accepted rs promising
the coinage of both metals. without dlscrin-
nation, and it was thought that would bring
great relief. In fact. the people accepted 1t,
because they believed that whenever the
government offered to coin both metals on a
basis of parity of values, the value OF sill
yer for coinage and currency uses would
promptly place silver at par with gold. They
believe that yet and expect congress to make
the venture.
people got during the campaign from the
explanations that the democratic speakers
gave them?'
IAN those things were promised in or
n,stform and by the orators who sought tie
votes of the people for the party. They got
their votes upon the faith they had in the
ol,i democratic party that would keep ITS
hedges. The people expect that and if il
fails to keep those pledges, now that 1t Is
in mower and iii full control of the govern
mept in all branches, that failure TO keen
auv ore Of them il seams to me. will bring
grcat danger to us in the next election Win
MS here in Georgia 1t vii! furnish very plauS,
ibe arg uuent to the third party. and VIII
WV much emharrass those leading demo
Gratis who have. on the faith of the platform
promised that congress would grant this re-
lief ms soon as It WAS practicable to do SO
1t is practicable to do so now, as the, demo