The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-02-24
JUDGE ATKlNSoN'S PLATFORM.
TOUCHES NATIONAL AS WELL As
STATE ISSUES.

Puts Himself Up as One of the OrkSi-
nal Free silver Men of the State.
FavOrs the Common schools and
Wants the Teachers Paid Monthly.
Fertilizer Fees should BE Used for
the Benefit of the Farmers Ex-
cIusively.
Atlanta, Ca, Feb. 23.-Judge Spencer r.
Atkinson to-day made public the plat
form .npon which his candidacy for Cover
nor will stand or fall. II has been expected
for a week, but the Brunswick candidate
was in no particular hurry to give it out.
The document is about 1000 words long,
and covers concisely all the matters of
public concern in state affairs, as well as
touching somewhat upon national politics.
The Judge. in fact. starts out with the
currency and after declaring his loyalty to
democracy refers to the fact that he es-
poused free silver four years before the
Chicago convention met. In this connection
he takes issue with Col. Gambler who de-
clared that no one, who would not en-
dorse the Chicago platform was a Demo-
are differences of opinion as to the wis
dom Of the party's policy upon the ques-
ton of the currency, and while my own
views are in harmony with the latest de-
clara ton of the national Democracy upon
this subject, would neither prescribe nor
drive from it's councils those Democrats
who at the last election, Notwithstanding
hnfr troI - he ion falra
with respect TO the free coinage of silver,
waived their objections to this feature of
the platform and gave their earnest sup
port TO the candidates OF the party"
Judge Atkinson favors the common
schools, and wants the teachers paid
monthly. He wants improvement in the
country schools, intimating that a local tax
is the solution of the problem.
Fertilizer fees. he says, should be used
solely for the benefit of the farmers who
pay them.
Touching corporations, he says: THE
Railroad Commission of this state, having
no power to regulate interstate traffic and
the power of the Interstate Commerce
Commission being manifestly inadequate
to the protection of the public, l favor the
passage of an act by the Federal Congress
which will confer upon the Interstate Rail
road Commission power to make rates
enjoin upon that commission the duty of
cooperating with the railway commissions
of the several states in making such rates
for interstate shipments as shall, in eV-
cry instance, be reasonable and just.
While the state cannot itself legislate on
this subject temperate and conservative
discussions will serve to so stimulate inter
est in the question as to lead ultimately to
practical reforms. Within the law they
al, Ia -,
dividuals engaged in like pursuits, but
whenever and wherever they overstep the
limits of the constitution or the bounda-
rieS of the law, they in like manner as
individuals, should by the authorities of
the state be brought to subsection and
control"
On taxation and tax exemption he says:
while | do not think it advisable 10 dis
pense with the appropriations for school
and pension purposes, which have render
ed necessary the increase in our tax rate
in recent years, believe it TO be entirely
practicable to considerably reduce the rate
of taxation annually levied under exist
ing conditions. The property of owners
of real estate and of persons
| engaged in agricultural and other pur-
suits is being assessed for taxation at it's
full value, while other citizens whose prop
erty is not visible to the tax-gatherer do
! burdens OF the government In the end,
therefore, that each taxpayer shall pay his
! just proportion toward the support of the
| government, thus reducing the tax rate
| against all, l favor legislation which win
| subject to taxation all personal property
| of every character, a large proportion of
which is not returned at its real value, and
much of which is not now returned at all.
with respect 10 the matter of local taxa
ton for county and municipal purposes,
| as we'll with respect to all matters of
purely local concern, 1 believe in the APP
| plicaton of the Democratic principle of
home rule confident that within the lin
its of the power which, consistently with
the constitution of this state, may be con-
ferred, the peop.e who are Immediately af-
fected may be safely relied on to manage
| their own affairs"
In conclusion Judge Atkinson saws OF
alleged combinations and rings: II am en-
barrassed by no pledge or obligation to any
| person whomsoever. 1 am the candidate
of no clique or faction, and have no UNI
redressed political grievances against any
man or any set of men,"