Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-01-23


OF the states affairs as will AFFORD COM
plete protection 10 life. liberty and prop
hrty and the pursuit OF happiness, TO ev-
cry person within her borders.
tits impracticable within the reasonable
limits which should govern the character
OF this announcement 10 define my views
in relation TO ali the public questions con-
corning which the people are entitled TO
information from those who seek office at
their hands. but il is proper that / should
briefly outline my position on certain lead
ing questions now engaging the consider
alton OF the people. IL is my purpose later
to visit such OF the counties OF the state
as may be able TO reach. and to discuss
more fully these and other questions of
public interest.
Taxation.
7 favor such legislation as will require
an persons. both natural and artificial.
TO pay their equal share OF taxes IN strict
accordance with the constitutional provis-
ion relative TO taxation. There Is class
OF corporations such as trading. manufac-
turing and other companies. whose CHAR
ters being mere permits to transact bust
ness. confer franchises which in the ma
ture OF things have no pecuniary or taxa
bic value. and which therefore, could In
no fair sense be treated as an addition
20 the assets Of the company. This can
not be said of quasi public corporations
whose franchises do add to the value OF
the assets OF the corporation, and In many
instances constitute a very valuable part
OF the same. These franchises should De
made to bear an equitable share OF the
burdens of taxation. Such taxes. when
added to those derived from property
which has heretofore escaped taXation be-
cause OF the imperfections in the law,
which may be, remedied by few amend
meuts. would yield sufficient income to
authorize a material reduction or the
present tax rate.
Limited Tax Rate.
II elected 1 would endeavor TO give the
careful and economical administration de-
manded by the financial condition OF the
people and of the state. and bend every
energy TO the reduction o. the present
rate Of taxation. 1t would beget conf
dence 10 know that there was limit 10
the, amount which the citizen might De
called upon TO contribute to the support
az government: and to that end l FAVOR
a constitutional amendment limiting the
rate Of taxation TO the lowest figure con-
sistent with the proper maintenance OF
the state government the pubic lhsu-
tutfons- TIE cause OF education and the
pension 5, stem.
Public Schools.
The public school laws need revision SO
as to make our common school system
more effective. Considering the lrreg
~ with which the teachers are paid. u Is
remarkable that the system has workeu
so well. I favor such legislation as may
be necessary to insure the teachers
ceivin0 their salaries promptly eaeh
v,,c,tb II Is a reproach that these taith-
fuI servants should 20 long and so eoh-
tinuously be kept out Of their justly earn
ed dues.
Educational Endowments. -
favor an amendment to the constitu-
.fov, extending the tax exemption so az 10
incI,ide the endowment OF educational m
stitutions. where the fund Is not so III
vested as to come in competition with tne
business and commercial interests OF other
cItJ-ens This was the policy of the state
nrjor 20 1S77. and in the interest OF the
higher education Of the white children OF
Georgia as well as I'm justice TO these IN
stitutions we should return TO the same
polIcv. This state has no greater need 10
impose such taxation now thah tnsI-
These struggling institutions are now Tar
more needful of this small need OF los
terInp care than they formerly were, as
there has been a material reduction IN
tuition fees and also I'm the annual re-
turns from such property as that IN
which endowment funds are usually IN
vested.
Inspection Fees.
The fees for the inspection Of fertilizers
are Maid under the operation OF a law IN
tended to prevent imposition on the farm
ers OF the state. This is. in effect TAX
upon the agricultural interests, 1917
the surplus arising from this source
Should be used for the welfare OF the
farming class in the establishment OF ag-
ricultural schools. agricultural stauohs'
farmers Institutes. or some other purpose
for the special benefit Of the farmers OF
Georgia.
Pensions.
In the past twenty years three separate
and distinct constitutional amendments
ON the subject of pensions have been sub
mitted TO the popular vote, ana, IN gfate-
full recognition of the patriotic services or
the Confederate soldiers. these amend
ments have been adopted by large major
tiles / favor such legislation as VIII. Sc
cure a pension to deserving veterans ana
widows of Confederate soldiers, and thus
carry out the directions given by the
sovereign people of the state.
Labor and Capital.
I believe that laws should be so enacted
and administered as to afford equal and
exact Justice to labor and capital alike.
We should protect and foster the inter-
ests which are already here, and encour-
age the establishment of new enterprises.
thereby affording larger and more ex-
tended fields or industry Tor our cltl1ehs.
The Liquor Question.
As a member OF the general assembly
OF 1915. I supported and voted for the bill
giving TO the people Of the several coun-
ties in this state the right to prohibit the
sale OF spirituous liquors in their respect
i've counties. Under the provisions of this
law the sale Of liquor has been forbidden
in more than one hundred counties of the
state. 1 still favor this law as just, sal
utary and democratic i'm its provisions.
At the same time 1 recognize the right
OF the people. IL il is their will, to go fur
Their and prohibit such sales within the
limits Of the state. Should they do so no
governor elected by their votes could con-
sistently use the veto power to render
their will nugatory. 1 would not.
Conclusion.
II nominated and elected TO this honor
able office, I will endeavor to administer
the laws in accordance with democratic
principles. and in a spirit OF exact and
equal justice to all. without fear. favor
or affection. 1 will endeavor TO foster our
several public institutions and. with the
sole purpose OF advancing and promoting
the best interests of the state, will devote
my energies to the faithful administration
a. - l.