The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1903-07-13
WATSON, WRIGHT AND
SMITH SPOKE FOR
CHILDREN,
Reasons Brought Forward Why Bill
Should Receive Majority Vote
In Legislature-All Three
Orators Were Eloquent
In Their Appeals.

members or INC SeIici al dHSSA"1-'
the public last Monday night.
meeting OF citizens that crowded the
very confines OF the house of representa-
tives at the capitol gathered to hear three
orators argue In favor of legislation that
would protect the children OF Georgia
from growing old long before their time in
the mills of the state. The aisles were
filed. the gallery was OVERLOOKING and In
the foyer outside many struggled to get
near the speakers.
Each speaker was applauded again and
again
Chairman Pleasant A. Stovall intro
duced the speakers In a particularly felic-
itous way.
Hoke Smiths Speech.
Mr.. Smith opened his speech by declar-
ing that he had no prejudice against the
cotton mills of Georgia. He owned stock
in a cotton mill. He was not a special
champion of any organization which was
pressing the passage of this Dill. lie
though the bill was right and hoped it
would pass.
He then went on to show that the law OK
Georgia recognized the propriety OF in
reference by the state with what might
be termed the natural rights of parent aad
child. 1t was an interference with the
natural rights to say that all the child
might earn until the child was q should
belOng to the father. Was 1t more OF an
Interference with the natural rights TO
require the parent to keep the child out
of improper work until the child was y.
than it was to require the child to give all
1t made to the parent until It was 81?
He cited other Georgia statutes and SD
preme court decisions in support OF his
position that the state of Georgia recog-
nized its duty to interfere with the
natural rights of parent and child He
insisted that it was the moral right of
the child to be maintained and educated.
and to have an opportunity for the de-
NeIopment of it's physical, intellectual and
moral strength.
He urged that any parent considering
the question In the light Of his own
child must see that this effect would De
true He insisted that Georgia could not
afford TO allow any OF her white popula-
ton to deteriorate. That the fixed pur-
pose Of the state should be to build them
Up to a higher and stronger manhood.
That 1t was the moral right OF the chill
dren TO receive such education, and that
every sense Of wisdom either taken from
economic or social view should cause
the state TO build up and not pull down
her citizenship. He insisted that Georgia
should lcok forward TO the time and that
not Tar nlStaDi Wnen all OF Her cotton
will be spun in her borders, not simply
into coarse grades, but into the finest
fabrics To accomplish this the factory
children must be educated and advanced
I'm mind and In mechanical capacity.
Their lives should not be worn out in in
fancy.
He insisted that this bill naturally went
hand in hand with the advancement Of
educational facilities to be given the chill
dren of Georgia, and urged that It was a
Christian as well as social duty to pro-
tect the children OF our state before they
suffered as they have been allowed TO suf-
fer IN other countries and other states,
who learned OF the necessity for such
: legislation after many children had been
injured from improper labor.
seaborn Wright followed Hoke Smith
He said that Georgia was practically the
last state In the south to be without a
proper form and enforcement OF child
labor legislation that legally prevents the
employment of those too young to stand
the hardships of labor To this effect Mr..
Wright proceeded and read a number Of
statistics in support Of the statement.
Speaking of Major Hanson he said that
occupying the same place he now occupied
the major had stated that the only per
sons who spoke in favor OF legislation
against child labor were inbeciles and
demagogues. Thank Cod" said Mr..
Wright" the statistics which I have just
read prove that the generous. kindly world
is just filled with such imbeciles and
demagogues. and thank God, too, am
very proud TO be classed as one Of their
number"
MI Wright was at his best last evening,
interspersing his remarks with telling
stories beautiful metaphors and per-
tinent SMILES. Again and again he was
interrupted, as were also the other speak
ers with tremendous applause
According TO the views expressed by
Mi Wright it was the moneyed mill men
of Georgia and not the farmers who OPP
posed the bill, notwithstanding the state
ments Of Major Hanson to the contrary.
lie agreed with the statement of the ma
ior that the white tenants of the farms
of Georgia are going into the cotton mills.
4 say tonight" he said. that the agri-
cultursts of the state OF Georgia are con-
fronted with the most serious problem in
their history Those who formerly worked
on the farms are now hurrying to the
mills of the cities In many places II is
impossible TO secure the help necessary
to work the farms and plantations"
Mr. Wright also touched upon the sub
icct Of labor ard capital He believed
that the organized capital was afraid Of
the organization of labor. He also insist
ed that labor had the same sovereign
right 10 organize as did capital and 1t was
the mission of the great middle class
standing between the two to see that
Justice should be done on both sides.
The men who are on top don't want a
change They are satisfied 1t Is the man
on the bottom that wants the change"
Following Mr. Wright. Mr.. Watson was
Introduced and greeted with round after
round of applause. BY way of introduce
zion Mr. Watson brought down the house
nv saving: Il a democrat, an Id
Ieffersonian democrat and l always have
feen a democrat. And the mill men have
cent Major Hanson, a republican, to the
legislature Of Georgia with republican
emf to show them just when and how to
sneeze when he sneezes.
SYNOPSIS of Watson's Speech.
Mr. Watson began his argument by
saving that he was no enemy to manu-
lecturers He recognized and believed
IN the old Jefersonan doctrine that the
prosperity OF the republic depended upon
The three great industries of agriculture.
commerce and manufactures.
He would not be willing to advocate
anv law whose purpose was to cripple
that industry or to interfere without
Just cause.
Nor would he take part in any attack
unon the character Of southern mill
owners Many of these gentlemen
known to him personally. and he knows
them to be citizens Of the highest type.
he apI