Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-05-29
THINKS ESTILL's PLATFORM
BEST SUITED TO CONDITIONS
PARsoN, Ca. May p, 1902.


PARSON. Ga, May o. 1902.
To the Editor of The Journal:
The gubernatorial campaign is fast ap-
preaching the climax. Within two weeks
the people will have declared who shall
be the next governor of Georgia.
1t is gratifying to note that Georgians.
as the canvass nears the end, are losing
sight of sentiment and are casting about
for the real, tangible, practical question
of the campaign that should predominant
and shape Georgia's political life for the
next four years, and in their search for
truth are discovering that the financial
question is the paramount issue; that the
state needs a strong, healthful business
administration, guided by a master of n
nance, and that it is imperative such an
administration be inaugurated at once.
Thus viewing the situation, they are in
stinctively turning to Private John Hol-
brook Estill of Savannah, as the candi-
date who will make a governor par ex-
celIence for the times.
The state is now unable to meet her
obligations and maintain her financial in
tegrity without borrowing money for that
purpose. It is conceded she is financially
sick and sadly in need of a physician who
can locate the cause of her distress and
the heroism to apply the proper remedy.
His friends commend Mr.. Estill as spe-
cialist in this line; he has large expert
ence and, If elected governor, will surely
bring order out of this financial chaos; he
has the ability, the patriotism. the hero
ism and the integrity and would give the
state a heightened, honorable business ad-
ministration.
It takes no wiseacre to understand and
appreciate the fact that the public school
and pension systems of the state are de-
pendent upon a successful and economi-
cal business administration for the at
tainment of their highest good. These
systems should not be abolished, but reg
ulated within proper limitations according
to common sense and sound business
judgment. and then support them with
liberal but not extravagant appropria-
lions. Mr.. Estill favors this safe and pop
ular policy.
On the temperance question Mr.. Estill
stands upon the Democratic principle Of
local self-government and majority rule.
Local option, which permits every coun-
ty to regulate the whisky traffic accord
ing to a majority vote Of the citizens,
is sound policy, places this moral-not
poltical-question where 1t properly be-
longs and no other policy will ever sue
coed in Georgia Prohibition is not dem
ocratic; 1t is a fanatical hobby, and he
who attempts to ride into office with 1t
as the chief plank of his platform is not
entitled to the votes of democrats and is
misjudging Georgia Democrats If he ex-
poets to win on it in this state. 1t Is
possible under existing laws to have pro-
hibition in any and every county in the
state; all that is lacking is for the peo-
pie to will 1t to be so-vox popult, vox
del.
Lobbyism is another hobby-horse that
has been brought into the campaign and
it now appears that the fox is the find
err" Then, the insinuations of fraud
against the prison commission and other
departments of the state government
seems to have a double back action at
tachment to 1t that hits the insinuator
harder than any one else; and 1T is ru-
mored" that "the wish was father to the
thought" Madame Rumor is being made
to play a heavy part in the campaign
Mr.. Estill plants himself squarely upon
the constitution and laws of Georgia-the
best and only necessary platform in the
campaign-which guarantees equal rights
to all and special privileges to none" If
elected governor he would absolutely go
into office unhampered by any entangling
alliance-"no friends to reward nor enc
mics to punish" This Is as it should be.
Mr.. Estill is a clean man, no charges of
unseemly advantage or dishonesty can be
lodged against him, his businessh methods
are open and free from suspicion. He has
a lofty sense of justice and equity, and
never hesitates to do right by those with
whom he has business relations. He is
gentleman at all times, in all places, and
under all circumstances; is courteous to
all and knows that money does not make
the man." and his affability and consid-
Grafton extends to rich and poor without
discrimination. He is wealthy, but exceed
ingly liberal with his wealth and no wor-
sthy charity is passed unhelped.
The writer as an employee of Mr. Estill
quite 80 years ago, is afforded great pleas
ure in penning this just and true endorse
ment of his former employer, and without
his knowledge. No man can have greater
consideration Of his employees than Mr..
Estill and none seems more gratifed than
he at their prosperity nor more ready to
lend a helping hand over the rough places
when he sees them trying to help them
selves. Any statement other than that he
is absolutely just and true to his en-
ployes is untrue and can be only the vap-
orings of an migrate.
Mr.. EstiIl would make Georgia a model
governor Just at this time and Georgians
will honor themselves in honoring him.
BEN T. ALLEN.