El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1899-09-13

Atkinson won, after q most active
and thorough campaign, solely upon
the merits, and at once became pow
err in the state. He waselected as a mat
ter of course, and served his state with
signal ability and success. It was IN
der his enlightened and progressive ad-
ministration. and under the stimulst-
ing influence Of favorable laws, that
the rich natural resources of Georgia
were brought to the attention of inves-
tors, and many millions of dollars
brought into the state and invested in
cotton mills. in agriculture, and mining
industries. Atkinson represented the
younger and more progressive elem ent
in the state, and exerted great in
fuence advancing its best interest and
exten ding it's sphere in the Industrial
world.
Toward the close of his first term, in
1896, Governor Atkinson evinced 8
disposition to decline a denomination
for the Office, on account of impaired
health, and a desire to improve his
worldly goods. But SO we'll had he
unanimous demand for his acceptance
of the nomination for second term.
Moreover, it was during the memorable
campaign of 1S96,-when free silver
was an important factor in the state,
and it was urged that the nomination
OF Atkinson would prevent the break
ing out of factionsl fights in the demo-
cratic party, and thus imperil the sue
cess of tine national ticket. Therefore,
Atkinson yielded to the wishes of his
party, accepted q second nom ination,
and was reelected governor by very
large majority. His second admins
tration WAS q record of brilliant sue
cesses. Under his administration,
great advance was made in the indus
trial development of Georgia, and the
foundations laid for greater progress
in the future.
Governor Atkinson was firm cham
pion of law and order, and strongly
opposed to lynching. After double
lynching in Georgia in 1896, at Colum-
bus, the governor told me that he had
sent for the record then before the su-
preme court of the state, in one OF the |
cases, and would exert his influence to
expedite justice. 1t was on account of
the courts delay in the case of one
through a technicality,-tha on the |
arrest of a second offender, furious |
mob crossed the Chattahoochie river |
from Alabama, in open day, took both |
prisoners from the presence of the |
court, and lynched them in the public |
streets. At a recent lynching of negroes |
near his home in Newman, Georgia,
AGKlQSOQ maQe aQ uu5uCCGSS- |
full effort to restrain the mole.
Gov. Atkinson said that they have
been compelled. in Georgia, to reduce
the mum Der of felonies to about six, |
for the reason that the negroes could
not comprehend the nature of the Of
lenses prescribed as felonies, aud failed
70 understand the punishments inhict-
I'd for such offenses.
During the height of the industrial
81
Gov. Atkinson made a remark that is
worthy of consideration, in connection
With the army of unemployed in our
arge cities, Speaking of the subject
ne said:
"Within the past year or two, I have
,een in nearly every state Of the union.
md 1 think that there have been less
uffering in my sta e.. on account OF
he hard times: than in any other"
ion of affairs?" 1 asked. II
1.-THE fact" said the governor,
that Georgia has less manufacturing
and there is, consequently,
lesser tendency to congregate men in
he large cities. When work is slack,
hey have no means of support, and
nust suffer as result. In Georgia,
n the other hand. more people acquire
living from agriculture, and are thus
nore independent. Hence, they do not
uffer SO much during the periods of
Industrial depression.
In person, Governor Atkinson was
all, somewhat slim, yet of an impress
We appearance. He wore long, curly
air, which gave him somewhat the
ppearance of a clergyman. His face
Tas spare, Indicating q strong nervous
and q wirey, active, and
ggressive disposition. His eyes were
ark, sharp and penetrating. Yet his
satures exhibited kindly genial dis
osition for which he was noted. He
as man of domestic tastes, a dutiful
usband, generous father, and above
u a good citizen. In his death, in the
cry prime of life. the state of Georgia
Be lest one of its most honored, pro- q
ressive, and useful citizens.
JAMES G. BARTLETT.