Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-12-15
AZ TO SENATOR PAUL TURNER
AND ATLANTA CONSTITUTION

AND ATLANTA GUNS III ~ tON
The Journals proposition to "adjourn
the third house" seems to have brought
'featherS-sven II 1t has as yet accom-
plished no more. And when the old bird
was hit every nedgiing in the nest began
to squavk.
The Journal did not hope to be able to
expose this lobby scandal without hav-
ing mud thrown AZ itself and an enort
made 20 divert its attention from the main
issue. such tactics were TO be expected
IL was the only line Of defense left open
to them.
As was to be expected. too, the lobbyists
do not attempt their own defense, but are
shrewd enough TO enlist others In their
cause-Senator Paul Turner. and their old
standby. the Atlanta Constitution.
They started on with a typewriter
speech delivered by Senator Paul Turner
on the floor OF the senate wednesday In
which he resented the reflection which
he claimed The Journals editorial had
cast upon the senate. We are reliably in
formed that this 10 the first speech Sen
ator Paul Turner has delivered during a
Legislative career covering several years;
but. be n said TO his credit, he read his
lines with perfect familiarity.
In order that the public may know just
who Senator Paul Turner il, it may be
necessary 70 state that he represents the
seth district In the senate. To further
Designate him, II may Be well 20 state
that his home IL at McDonough, He has
served IN the legislature before, and to
all Appearances. he is a veFy nics sort OF
man-thouah a young one However, this
sOrt Of thing may tsnd 10 Ass him some.
We regret that Senator Paul Turner
ala not see at to propose vote OF cen
sure for The Journal. instead OF taking
all OF the burden upon himself II there
ives anything IN The Journals editorial
TO give just offsnss 20 one member OF tia
senate. there wAs offense IN X for ALL
and it was Senator Turner'S duty TO have
this papsr ensured. Had he attempted 20
do 10. however, he would, probably, have
learned that he stood alone I'm hts role OF
injured Innocence" The other senators,
40 far az We have been able 20 Judge. un-
derstood fully the purpose Of The Jour
nails editorial, which was, a. must have
been apparent TO every one. 70 free both
branches OF the legislature from the con-
slant espionage Of q paid lobby, whose
pre-enos throughout every session and at
tempted ehapsronags OF our law-making
body is just cause for scandal We desired
that these bodies be left free to transact
the states business without interference
or dietation from members of the third
house" We believe every conscientious
legislator can commend the stand taken
by The Journal in this matter.
But Senator Paul Turner says there
are no lobbyists about the capitol This
statement alone should entitle his remarks
on the subject 20 no further eonsidera-
tion. for he puts himself in the attitude
Of denying what is generally admitted.
We even doubt II the lobbyists them
selves would care 20 have the
corporations which they represent take
Senator Turner seriously, lest they with
hold their feos on the ground that they
haven't been sufficiently I'm evidence to
make themselves either seen or felt. But,
then. IL may be due simply 90 Senator
Turner's defective vision-and there ara
none 30 blind as those who viii not see"
With remarkable inconsistency, how
ever. Senator Turner does admit seeing
three Journal officials and stockholders
engaged In lobbying during the present
session. Although senator Turner seems
70 have overlooked the men who are best
known In this line OF work, in order TO
throw a little mud. as he supposes. at
The Journal. we win assume that he has
posted himself-or been pOsted-ag to the
three Journal officials" Of whom he
complains. But we 90 not believe any
OF Senator Turner'S maud win stick.
Il Is only necessary TO state, in this
I connection. that q number OF different
people own stock in The Journal com
pany. Some OF them own stock in other
corporations. while others act as the
| legal representative Of corporations.
This paper. OF course. exercises no con-
troll over their private or professional af-
fairs. And IL would certainly appear that
they exercise no control over tbs policy
OF this paper This is all the public cares
l 20 know.
Nov. The Journal has already explain
"a What is conceded 10 be the legal rights
/ q ~ corporation representatives before
lhs isEls,sturs-that OK going before the
proper committees fer the purpose Of