Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-05-01
3. NJ. sLAcK5URN's VIEW
OF GUN5ERNAToRIAL RACE

the three candidates has the ability nee
essary TO discharge the duties Of the Of
fee to which he aspires. Each is sincere
and honest.
poise, or equilibrium. On this should de-
pend the seriousness of decision.
The many cards written. most of them
by one Of the candidates. Mr.. Query, and
the many things said in disparagemen
of another, Mr.. Terrell, complete a ira
vesty that must lead reasoning public
TO think that somebody is fearfully
wrong, or some one is being very unjust
ly criticised.
Each individual voter should have his
own view OF public issues. and each is
clearly entitled to his own preference In
selecting candidates for public place.
AS one citizen. / desire to express my e.
innate Of the issues involved and the
men seeking public endorsement in this
contest, allowing the fullest latitude of
view to all who may differ with me.
AS to the issues involved. It would seem
clear to any fair-minded observer, that
Mr.. Terrell's position on the equalization
of tax laws is all that any citizen can de-
sire.
1t. is not necessary for a man to antag-
onize corporations in order that the peo-
pie may be justly treated.
The citizen as well as the corporation
represents a necessary part Of the state
government, and both should be treated
without prejudice or favoritism.
The trouble that I find with Mr.. Guer-
ny Is, that, whether intended by him or
not. his campaign has been pitched on
such lines as to suggest, that he Is ex-
tremely antagonistic to the railroads.
whereas Mr.. Terrell is in favor Of reg
ulating them without prejudice to vested
rights, position at once fair and praise
worthy. Mr.. Terrell not only favors tax
equalization, but he is also committed
to Official equilibrium, a necessary ad-
tunct.
AS to the debasing and injurious efrects
Of lobbying. no sane man will believe that
Mr.. Terrell would give encouragement to
such an evil, and yet the whole drift OF
Mr.. Guerry's argument tends TO convict
him OF a design to have the people be-
lleve Mr.. Terrell thus corrupt. But the
legislature is the only authority that can
deal with this evil. and the governor has
no more power to prevent 1t than pri-
vate citizen.
There is nothing in this plank. outside
of the political convenience It may sub
serve to the individual candidate.
Personally, have always opposed the
free pass system. My own view Is that
a law should be passed, compelling the
railroads to issue free passes to all state
officials as a franchise tax, in order that
this bone of discussion might be forever
removed. But I have never reached that
point OF hysteria where I would suggest
that our legislatures. governors and
judges were corrupt, for the reason that
they Accepted free passes. If I were
judge. could not get my consent TO dis
qualify a juror for riding on a free pass,
and accept one myself.
Yet that is the law. and many incor-
ruptible Judges have yielded to the eco
nomical custom. But the governor can't
correct this thing. The legislature is the
only power that can change the system
and don't hear OF Mr.. Query speaking
in behalf of candidates for the legislature
committed to this or any other issue that
he advocates.
II has even been suggested that, while
he favors state prohibition as a great prin-
ciple, he is very much concerned about the
success Of his legislative law partner, who
is against prohibition. How can Mr.. Guer-
~ consistently advocate prohibition IN
Colquitt, Worth and Mitchell counties and
vote for his law partner in Bib. who win
vote against prohibition in the legislature
and thus interfere with the recommended
ton of this ggibernatorial candidate should
he be elected?
Surely If Georgia is in such a bad FIX
that she needs the drastic hand Of Re-
former Guerry, would II not be well for
HIM to first reform himself to the extent
of displaying the moral strength necessary
to openly oppose his partner of contrary
view, who advocates the election Of this
prohibition candidate, while the latter
wreathes his sober brow in a halo of anti
sober reciprocity?
A serious objection that I find to Mr.
Query is that through his circulars cards
and speeches he seems to arrogate to him
self a position of moral and intellectual
superiority.
one Of his circulars bearing the legend
"Please Post" reads: THESE railroad
combinations know that Mr.. Query has
the ability, the honesty, the bravery and
the sincerity to do the right and TO de-
mand of them that they pay their just
proportion OF taxes. That is why they
are against Query"
He goes on to say that the railroads are
for Terrell What hidden thrust is there fl
this II 1t be not the charge that his op-
pcnent is the corrupt tool of the railroads
Monstrous!
The whole official life of Joe Terrell Is
in contradiction of the Islander.
He also insinuates that Terrell Is in
league with the liquor interests of Geor-
gia The fact that Mr.. Terrell is a re-
spected member of the Baptist church is
an all sufficient answer to this hysterical
vagary.
That he favors local option is an indorse-
mont of his hberality of mind.
Mr.. Guerry is too antagonistically sus-
picious. He has ill-naturedly criticised the
press, denounced as corrupt members Of
hts own profession and even the judiciary,
Visiting the blight upon reputable and dis
reputable alike, since he failed TO individ-
ualizeD; rallied against corrupt legislatures
without naming the venal members; spo-
ken egainst prostituted party control; held
up to public condemnation reputable bust
ness interests that contribute TO our
states prosperity, and done other things
so unusual and incorporate as to lead the
average citizen who likes a peaceful career
on earth to fear that he would be a very
unsafe governor.
II occurs to me. without any suggestion
of personal disparagemert, that Mr. Guer-
~ has already made too many enemies.
personal and artificial. to be the dispas-
sionate governor of all the people.
On the other hand, ice Terrell has acted
with such Splendid poise and considerate
courtesy that he has not even made Mr..
Guerrv mad, except by refusing to give
him an opportunity to utter to his face
and in the presence OF thousands Of ad-
n1irers who have determined TO make him
governor, the unjust ard slanderous inuen-
does that are to be seen in the usual Guer-
~ handful.
would be neroically met. A charge by in
uendo is like unto a shrug of the shoulder
when a woman's honor is under review.
1 have every confidence Jnat the people
will stamp their disapproval upon such
methods. Respectfully,
BENJAMIN NJ. BLACKBURN.