The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-02-11

men and patriots search out the truth,
though its finding cost us pain. Let us
realize that God has not given us a mo-
nopoly of His blessings that we may sell
and get gain. Let us turn the searchlight
upon ourselves, and when we do we will
acknowledge that we are too slow in the.
administration of civil and criminal jus
tice. 3D.
Our lawmakers shape all ends for re-
election. Our statute books are overflow
ing with petty laws enacted TO meet some
passing whim, and vested interests shud-
der at the thought of an approaching legis-
lative session.
Freedom of contract is so far
restricted in Georgia that
an agreement to pay attorneys fees for
collecting borrowed money is void. This
stupid law disgracing our civil code, was
aimed at the lawyers. but "found mark
the archer little meant" as its only eff
feet has been to impair or destroy the
credit of the borrower This law has driv-
en- millions of dollars from our state, as
our court records. our banks aud our loan
agents will bear witness.
Under all these conditions, general and
local, is 1t a matter of surprise that over
one hundred million dollars of American
money has recently gone to Europe at 4
per cent. per annum?
Upon the housetops, and with uplifted
hand and stentorian voice. we cry to 1t
to come this way We offer il 70 and 100
per cent more interest, and ye Tree CAPT
tai passes us by.
The prosperity manufactures, who takes
unlimited desire for unlimited demand, de-
clares we need more money in this coun-
try, and in the very face of his assertion,
our banks are reducing their capital be-
cause they cannot find demand for their
money, while millions go abroad
Csrab cif1a ton demands honest ipVaS-
tigation and honest handling. With tile
taxing power of our national government
harnessed to the gilded chariot of private
gain, contract obligations, held sacred or
otherwise, according to political caprice, a
pension roll that defies time and death, be-
cause it is a cheap means of paying for
place; our state statute books, burdened
with crude and pernicious laws, the saw
ings of labor invested in corporate form,
the favorite target and victim of the ig-
norant and the vicious, this Chamber of
Commerce of our greatest Southern city
has seized upon an opportune moment for
raising the question, why is IL that our
high rates of interest do not invite and
command capital? Let that question ring
out from his hall tonight, and let it echo
and re-echo through the hills and valleys
of Georgia When 1t shall have received
the Intelligent and honest consideration of
farmer and merchant and artisan, they
will all be able TO tell you why American
money is seeking Investment under other
flags than that of our Union. Their an
swer will be, we need more secur-
itv in stable wise and just
laws promptly enforced. We need more
safety from the vagaries of empiric
craftsmanship We need stronger and
better and Drawer men in our public places,
high and low. We need speedier collec-
ton of debt, a keener sense of the inviola-
bility Of contract and less interference and
threatened interference on the part Of gov
eminent in private business Affairs.
Draw your lines broadly and
leave business untrammelled. Purge
your statute books of all laws
that carry on their face the
admission or declaration that the borrow
er is a fool and the lender thief. and re-
verse the legislative presumption that a
shareholder in a corporation is a public
enemy to be punished by the conflscatlon
of his property.
Make capital safe, and you will make it
abundant and cheap; make it safe, and the
dirge of idleness will melt into the glad
anthem of contented labor; make capital
safe. and the battle of standards will pass
into history. Make capital safe, and the
only clouds that wild darken our skies will
he the curling smoke of furnace and fac
tory. Make capital safe, and 1t will
snatch songs from our streams, wealth
from our hills, and will paint, with the
ROSY blush of health cheeks now pallid
from want Make capital secure, and you
will give to labor its inspiration and its
lust reward, and to organized government
the sheet anchor of its safety.