Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-05-05
TERRELL DENOUNCES
GUERRY In FORSYTH
Declares He Has rlali-
ciousIy Misrepresented
His Attitude On Pub
lie Questions.

prettv severe roast for his numerous
charges Besides he delved into Query 5
records as a senator in ISL and said tnat
the Macon man voted against Local. OPP
ton measure.
M. Terrell spoke OF the ''fat salary
Mr. Guerry drew as railroad attorney in
Tsqf and IsQo when bills were pending IN
the senate and house against railroad
consolidation while he. Terrell. was on the
door OF the senate fighting for the inter-
ests OF the people.
Mr.. Terrell characterized Query $
charges as malicious 1alsenooos anu OEes
political work.
o. II. p. Bloodwroth. solicitor general OF
fha Flint circuit introduced Mr.. Terrell
he said that II he thought the people were
Rroaning under the corporations because
OF their small tax returns he would De
running for comptroller general instead OF
governor.
He then paId high tribute TO Comp
troiler Wright saying he was one OF the
hest ofncials the state had ever known:
NJ. Terrell declared against the sale OF
the state road. saying 1t should be trans
rnitted unimpaired 10 posterity. BE SHOW
~ that a governor had but little 10 DO
with the taxes Of . state and explained
the present rate BY saying the laws ana
not the governor was at fault he re-
ferred 20 Mr.. Guerry's charge That ON
cers had been negligent IN their duty as
pessiruistic tune as did another candidate
nor ala he ever put up a continual calam-
ity howl.
Re referred 70 Query always as a
rould-bs reformer and another candidate.
He did not mention Guerry name, ISe
everybody knew OF whom he was taxi
tnR. Referring then 20 Guerrys charg-
Is, Mr.. Terrell said:
VI believe IN temperance. In my opinion
individual temperance Is q great personal
virtue I believe also. and have always
belisved. IN the principle OF prohibition,
hut I a. not believe that prohibition can
accomplish anything without having at
its back a public sentiment that VIII see
70 its enforcement. For this reason
think that our local option Law Is the wis
est and safest prohibition law OF any state
IN the union
The Democratic party OF this state mas
always favored local option as the best
solution OF the prohibition question i
had the honor 70 be a member OF the gem
eraI assembly OF 1SS4-1SS5 which enacted
our present local option law. Believing
the measure 70 be Just, safe and demo-
cratic IN its provisions, ] gave IL my sup
port and vote. The title OF that act Is as
Follows:
-.An act TO provide for preventing the
evils or fnterhperance. b. local option IN
any county II this state. BY submitting
the question OF prohibiting the sale Of in
toxicating liquors to the qualified voters
OF such county; TO provide penalties for
its violation. and for other purposes
Its operation IN this state has demon
strated the wisdom OF its enactment. IN
der its provisions III counties are now
dry. Would any friend OF temperance
exchange existing conditions in Georgia
for those IN Kansas under state prohibit
ton BY direct legislation, which brings to
the mont long-haired men and short
haired women OF the Lease and Nation va
riety7
During my past life I have had sew
eral opportunities TO vote IN my home
county upon the question Of prohibition
or no prohibition. and upon each occasion.
Notwithstanding upon two such occasions
i myself was q candidate for the general
assembly. went TO the polls and voted.
as I would today, tomorrow, next week
or next year, an open ticket for prohibit
tion- That Is my record upon that ques-
tion. and the insinuatfon that I am a
liquor man. or that am In collision with
the liquor interests. Is as vile a Islander
as human being ever uttered or conceived.
Il believe that prohibition in the III dry
counties OF this state VIII be absolutely
safe and secure TO those counties By a
strict adherence TO the principle OF local
option When we abandon that principle
ana go 70 direct state legislation, we sur
render a certainty, and take in its stead
an untried law.
Common sense tells US that II there IS
not sentiment enough in the ballot box In
the city counties OF this state to adopt
the local option law, that there will not
be sentiment enough in the jury box in
those counties to see to its enforcement.
Should a state law be enacted and by
reason OF fits want OF enforcement in the
city counties Of this state become un-
pOpulU, and the pendulum swing in the
opposite direction, IS there a man within
the sound Of my voice who does not be-
Meve that the law would be repealed, and
with Il also all other prohibition legisla-
tion2 Instead OF the III dry counties we
might. on such a reaction. then have I57
wet counties. This IS a fear that I enter
tain as a prohibitionist, and thousands
Of other prohibitionists I'm the state en-
terrain the same fear. Let US then saw
70 our brethren in the cities: Educate
the sentiment in your county so as to
adopt the principle OF the local option law,
and you viii then have effective prohfbI-
ton. and do not call upon the country
counties Of this state to surrender a prin-
ciple which VIII forever protect them in
order 20 experiment with prohibition in
the city counties.
That there Is some division among pro-
hibitionists upon this question am aware.
do not claim 20 be all-wise. I think that
the wishes OF the people OF Georgia upon
this question should be enacted into law,
and II the people desire state prohibition
by direct legislation, they have but 20
elect their representatives and senator's.
Should the people OF Georgia honor me
with the high ofiice OF governor. ! here
and now pledge them. as I have through
out this campaign wherever my voice has
been heard. and as I expect 20 from now
until the 5th Of June that in the event a
bill looking 20 state prohibition. or prohi-
bition IN any other way. shall be pending
before the next general assembly, no
stumbling block viii be found TO its pass
age In the executive ONCE. and should the
general assembly pass the bill. will APP
prove the same. and with the help OF Al
mighty God. shall 10 the very best OF my
ability see 20 its enforcement. What NOR
tai man can 90 more2 Others ma promise
more. but no man sacred 10 the oath OF
ONCE which the constitution prescribes for
the governor can with propriety do more.
Il said that ! would sign the act, and
do not think my doing so would be in
consistent with the fears I entertain as
to such legislation, for the reason that
believe that the governor should be
what the constitution cOntemplates that
he should be-the servant Of the people
and not dictator or car. And besides.
j think II would be cOwardly for the gov
ernor Of Georgia 10 allow any measure "a
become a Jaw without approving the same
Continued on Page Seven