Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1902-09-12
TIE ABLEsT MAN FOR SPEAKER

The Speaker of the House of Ranra
sentatIves is one of the most resnonsi.
bic of the states officials Bv his
committee appointments he can die
tate the policy Of the house ON ali
questions; by fair ruling he can sac
to 1t that the will of the majority pre-
walls; by unfair ruling he can throttle
the Will OF the majority. In case of
the Governors death he stands second
IN succession, the President of the
Senate standing first.
The next House of Representatives
will be one of the ablest that has ever
convened in the Capitol. 1t will nee,
essArily deal with reforms in taxation,
public schools, pensions, and other
important matters of vital interest to
the people Of Georgia. 1t would seem,
therefore, highly desirable that the
speaker of the next House be the best
man available, the ablest, purest, most
upright, and most conservative.
There are three candidates: Hon.
N. A. Morris, of Cobb; Hon. Fondren
Mitchell, of Thomas; and Hon.
Emerson II. George, of Morgan.
All three are capable lawyers, the last
named very able and distinguished
one. Mr. Mitchell is 20 or 80 years
old; MIR. Morris is "a years old. Both
received their legal education at the
University of Georgia, and both have
ssrved two terms in the house.
Both have been active in the affairs
of the house, although neither has
ever held q craftsmanship of an impor-
tant committee. Mr.. Morris was
speaker pro tenn. of the last house. 1t
is questionable whether this gives him
an advantage or disadvantage in the
present race, He has had an oppor-
tunity to show his ability as a pres1d.
ing officer, and yet 1t is said that a
majority of those who have seen him
preside are against him now. Mr.
Mitchell ran against Mr.. Morris for
the speAkership pro tenn. and was de-
feated. A strong rivalry originated ia
this race, which has entered the pres
emit race, extending itself to their sup
porters with degree of partisan Bit
terness much to be regretted, The
Speakership of the House of Repre-
sentstives is not painted ball for
two children to quarrel over, each urg
ing as his only claim therefor the sole
and puerile fact shat the other wants
it and "boo-hoo, wants it too"
There will be many prominent gentle |
men in the next House, who, by vir-
tue of ability, maturity, experience
and service have equal claims to the
speakership with Mr.. Morris and Mr.. |
Mitchell,
The third candidate is Hon. Emer-
son II. George, of Morgan Mr..
George is 81 years old, and graduated |
A. B. and A. M. at Mercer University
and later at the University of Virginia. |
He received his legal education also
at the University of Virginia. He pos,
sesses the highest degree of culture,
both literary and social. In the House
he was q member of the Joint Constltu-
tional Committee, chairman of the
Educational Committee, and author,
among other measures, of the bill now |
known as the George Contract Law,
which has been most favorably COM
mented on all over the state and is
generally regarded as the most impor-
tant measure for the agricultural inter.
ests of the state that has passed the
General Assembly since the war He IS a
lawyer of high standing, and q man of
fine ability and exalted character, unset
fish, impartial, and fearless AS speak
or he would stand unprejuced between
conflicting interests, and guide the
affairs of the House with strong, I'M |
hesitating hand, having but one OBJ
ject in view, the accomplishment OF
the best results for the people of Geor-
gia.
The Times Recorder has no interest,
either direct or indirect, IN the candt
dacy of Mr.. George. 1t has always
taken a stand for the greatest good of
the state and it does so now. The rival
ry between Mr. Morris ands Mr.. Mitchell
and the bitterness consequent thereto,
which has extended itself to their sup
porters, makes the election of Mr..
George necessary, that this partisan
spirit may be destroyed and the entire
ga