The Savannah morning news., 1902-02-16

ana therefore not reached Tor taX2I ton.
There is another matter. educational
in it's nature, that desire to discuss
with you in this connection. The laws
of Georgia very wisely provide for the
inspection of all fertilizers offered for
sale in the state. The company manu-
featuring such fertilizers are required
to pay a fee of ten cents per ton for
the inspection Of same. Under the pru-
dent and economical administra ton of
this law our Agricultural
Department manages each year
to turn into the state
treasury about $35 900 net surplus aris-
ing from this source. This being i'm ef-
feet a tax upon the farming class, sep
arate and apart from the tax on their
property, it should be expended by the
state In such a way as will best tend
to the upbuilding of the agricultural
interests. This important subject has
not received the consideration at the
hands of our law-making power that
its Importance deserves. The farmers
of Georgia as demontrated by the last
census, are ahead of those in most of
the Southern states, but their progress
has not been as marked as that of the
farmers Of the Northwest
Pensions.
7 desire to discuss with you for few
with me, as with yourselves, there is
much sentiment in this question. yet I
have always felt that here was a busi-
ness end to it. The people should be
protected against all frauds and impo-
sition as far as possible.
That there are some abuses of these
laws none will deny but such abuses
do not require Or demand repeal of
the system These should be corrected
Nx- 10
should not. be abolished
Labor end Capital
I am no possimist. When two evils
are presented | never take them both.
| believe in looking for the good until
it is found. I know that Georgia is
not only the Empire State of the South
but that she is destined to be the Enl-
pire State of the American Union. Her
citizenry Is the very best and her re-
sources are unbounded.. To reach the
high estate to which we can bring her.
both labor and capital are necessary
They are the hand -maidens of civiliza-
tion and prosperity. Each is under an
obligation to.the other and both owe
duty to the public, and the state "A
corresponding duty to them. Laws
should be so enacted and administered
as to afford equal and exact justice to
labor and capital.
Prohibition.
In recognition of the right of the
people to make effective their wishes
as to the sale of intoxicating liquors,
the General Assembly of Georgia in
1885 enacted the present local option
law. ] had the honor to be a mem
Der of that Legislature. Believing the
measure to be just, salutary and dem
ocratic in its provisions, | gave it my
support and vote. The principle upon
which this legislation is based being
the will of the people of the several
counties in which it was to operate.
Under it's provisions over one hundred
counties have adopted prohibition. /
entertain for this law the same respect
that did when I supported it. AT the
same time / think the people have the
right also, if it is their will to go
further and prohibit the sale of whis-
XIV within the limits of the state. ]
cannot conceive of circumstances un-
der which any Governor could con-
sistently. with his duty to the people,
offer any opposition by the use of the
veto power, or otherwise, to the will
of the people asserting itself upon this
question. | most certainly would not.
Enforcement of the Laws.
Should I become Governor of this
state. l shall not select here and there
in the penal code a section for enforce
ment. but shah endeator TO the very
best of my ability to carry out the in
junction placed upon the Governor by
the constitution. and take care that
the laws are faithfully executed" This
means all the laws, and with the belief
that these laws We're conceived in wis
dom and enacted in justice, shall seek
to have them executed in a spirit of
exact and equal justice to all.
So far as l am concerned l can only
say that no lobbyist shall receive
cCuntenance from me, and when Under
the law | can as chief executive of
this state perform any act which will
destroy or lessen this or any other evil
1t shall be done.