The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1903-08-31

To the People Of Georgia: In behalf of
one of the greatest industries in the state
of Georgia. we desire to take advantage
of the present freedom from political
excitement to again appeal to the conserv
tive judgment and business sense of the
state The mill development which has
progressed so rapidly nthe south, and es-
pccaly in Georgia. during recent years.
and which has E.come SUCH potent fac
tor in securing for the farmers higher
prices for their cotton, is periodically at
lacied and menaced about the time of the
meeting of each session of the legisla-
ture.
Representing these interests we know
there is nothing to fear from full dis
cussion of the facts. and. further that
the fair. conservative BUSINESS men of this
state. the farmers and the great Tasses
of the people, are with us. These at
lacks come from the large cities and a
few counties. in all of which labor I'M
ions are organized ana Ueddling in poll
tics Our only dan - lies in the combina-
ton between these labor unions and de-
signing. scheming especially
the class that is always seeking for the
spectacular and sensational.
This was especially demonstrated at
the last session of the legislature. Major
]. Il. Hanson. by invitation. made an able.
conservative business presentation OF the
question to the legislature. and by COM
parson with their former cocdltlon show
ed tina. the mill employees of this state
are distinctly betered by their employ
ment; that the rules enforced by the
mills about the working Of children are
wise. and all that are necessary, and
that the true policy of the state, instead
of harassing. should be- to encourage
these industries.
| Instead of meeting this with argument
| the parties agitatiG. these measures re-
| piled in highly sensational harangues
| dealing LARGELY in personalities
| The legislators who patiently and
| thoroughly investigated the whole SUP
| iect before their committees, heard every
| body that desired to prevent any VIEWS
| and after two days discussion IN the
open house, for the second time over
| whalmingly defeated the proposed meas
1re This defeat so embittergl some OF
| he labor union members OF the leglsla-
| tire. that the cry of lobbying was raised
| against the mill men. When the Iopoy lu-
yestigation was up it developed that the
| mill men had not employed a single at
ornnv nor any one else but had eX-
| .rcised their rights as citizens OF Georgia
! to annear before the committee and OPP
| noee these measures. 1t was Clearly
shown that not one cent was spent, ana
| MO improper methods resorted to BY the
mill men 1t further developed that there
| was voted an appropriation by the ma
! liona1 federation of trades then IN SEES
sion in New Orleans, to pass this bill
and Messrs Houston and kllburn, two
members of the legislature, instructed to
draw for the same the money actually
being drawn by Houston. 1t was further
shown that the local labor union OF At
ANITA gave what is known as a smoker
10 the Legislature in behalf Of the child
iabor bill to which tho legislature was
! invited and at which beer, refreshments,
etc. were served
| Tnese same parties are agitaGng for 9TH
ar legislation, and there are now pending
before the Georgia legisla ture bills pro-
| posing to limit the hours OF work in fac
| -ories, and as soon as any encouragement
can be secured by the passage OF these
I measures, a proposition viii come for a
labor bureau presided over BY labor
delegate, to travel about over the state
at the public expense, for the purpose of
stirring up strife between employees and
legislation discriminating against the
| mills.
We warn these counties who are select
! ing these political labor union members tC
| represent them in the legislature ana who
| are sending representatives there to Sc
cure their seats by committing themselves
in advance to support all the schemes toI