The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-02-13
A Joint Discussion Agreed Upon.

II OAuL OlbGu6bAOh AkNcG0 " RNAs
1t would be interesting to know the pur-
pose of the joint debate which Mr.. w. Y.
Atkinson has proposed, and 20 which
| Gen. c. A. Evans has assented. Is there
/ any material difference in their political
viewsl Do not both stand squarely upon
/ the national democratic platforml If
| they do not then it would be well for the
| people to know it. But we think that
neither would dare to say he objects to
any plank in that platform.
! Perhaps they differ on state issues. If
they intend to talk only of state issues
there may be room for a joint discussion.
Probably they will tell US what they think
Of the system of leasing convicts, and, If
they favor abolishing that system,
what they have TO propose in its
place. The people would also like
! to hear their views in respect to
a reform in the system Of as
| sessments. It is now well known that the
cities pay much more than their share of
the taxes. There are counties that do not
pay into the state treasury as much as
they draw out for their public schools
Do Messrs. Evans and Atkinson favor a
board for equalizing assessments? Does
either of them think that property out
side of the cities should be assessed as
near its true value as property in citiesl
What do these gubernatOrial candidates
say in regard to the cost of the legisla
turel Does either of them think that
legislative expenses could be cut down
very greatly without injury to the state2
An 80 1ih-
eral treatment of the public schools and
of the military organizationsl
There are a good many things
in which the state is concerned
that Messrs. Evans and Atkinson
could talk about that would interest
the people, but it is hardly probable they
will touch upon them in their Joint dis
cussion, except in the most general way.
Neither is going to arouse any opposition
to himself if he can help doing so.
Probably when they meet they will
talk of their respective records, and what
each has done to entitle him to the sup
port of the dear people. The people don't
care particularly what either has done
They are more interested in
knowing what each would do
if elected governor, and whether
either has the necessary qualifications to
discharge the duties of the gubernato-
rial Office in a way to reflect credit upon
the state.
Georgia wants man in the guberna-
torial office Of great force of character,
a man capable of pointing out how the
resources of the state could be devel-
oped and the states material progress
advanced, and having the ability to in
duce the people TO follow his lead
A mere 1gurehead, a man to simply
discharge routine duties and grant par
dons, is not wanted. The country
has just passed through great
panic and the south has
come out of it better than any other sec
ton of the country. Consequently, all
eyes are turned towards the southern
states and there is an impression thatthey
are about to start upon a career of unpar-
alleled growth and prosperity In this
situation of affairs a forceful man, man
of strong character, vigorous intellect and
broad and progressive views in the guber-
material chair of Georgia could do the
state an almost incalculable amount of
good.
Is either Gen. Evans or Mr. Atkinson
the man that Georgia wants at this time9
When they meet in Joint debate let the
people study them carefully with the
view of deciding whether either meas
ures up to the standard of the man that
Georgia should choose for governor.
We do not pass judgment upon them
but as they, by agreeing to joint debate
have invited the people to do so, we sin
cerely hope the people will comply with
the invitation. The people are vitality in
terested, and should not permit their
views of them to be influenced
by sentiment or claims for past services
The question 10 be considered is their fit
ness for the high Office they seek
And the fact should be borne in mind
that there is no obligation to nominate
| either of them. They are simply seeking
the nomination. There may be other can
didates, or the democracy may seek an
| other candidate. The choice is not con-
fined to the two gentlemen who have
announced that they are in the guberna-
| tOrial race.