The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-04-16

Egypt, Ga, April 16, 19O4.-To the
Voters of Efingham County:
In the Efingham County News of
the Sth inst. find the following edi-
torial: Mr.. John E. Foy, now, 4
candidate for the Senate, is at the head
of a corporation that leases from the
state of Georgia, large number of
convtcts for d large sum of money.
Should question come before the Sen
ate effectins the convict system of the
state, how would he vote and
whose interest would he protect? This
is legitimate question:
In the same issue and under the cap
ton why We Should Support Col
Rawls for the Senate" and over the
nom de plume" of "Oficial History"
we find the following: THE people of
Effingham elected Col. Rawls to the
Legislature, at the close of the war
and have kept him there in the House
of Representatives most of the time
since, and are now and have been liV-
ing under the good laws that he has
helped to originate and pass, some of
which are mentioned as follows. all of
which can be shown by reference to
the official records: The expulsion of
carpet baggers, etc, from the Legisla-
ture;' the establishment of commits
sioners of roads and revenues for Eff
fingham county, ETC.
1.-THE lease of the convicts at about
100000 per year, all of which goes to
the support of the common schools,
ETC." The article closes by saying Col.
Rawls now asks the voters of Effing-
ham county to support him for the
State Senate. he never having held
the position of senator, and it is the
duty of the voters of the county to
grant this faithful and honora BILE old
gentleman his wish"
The above mentioned editorial and
article are the cause of this reply. The
editorial casts the reflection that if
l should be elected to the Senate, that
1 would vote upon the convict system
If such should come before the SEN
ate, in the interest of myself. Should
the citizens of bingham county elect
me to that honorable position, l pledge
my honor to vote on all questions to
the best interest of the people, so far
as I am able to judge them. l have
no selfish motive in making the race.
My friends and fellow citizens brought
me out-and 1 should be recreant to
duty if 1 should not look to the inter
est of the whole people. Those who
brought me out are gentlemen of the
keenest sense and have the interest
at heart. They are Effinghams
staunchest citizens, and had they have
thought that I was not above personal
interest in this and all public matters
they would have selected some one
else, to make the race for the Senate.
Now as to the convict question, which
seems to be CALLING the friends of my
opponent, it is true, as is stated under
the nom de plume" of Official His
al tty1c no1a &c
present representative, did vote for the
present convict lease system, which
went into effect April l, 1904, and which,
will not expire. until April /, 1909. The
Oficial Record will show this and Col.
Rawls' will not deny it q oJIea NEoted6 for
the lease system, because, no doubt he
thought il the best interest of the peo=
pie and state, at least l desire to ac-
cord to him what is justly due him.
BY the act of Aug. II. 1903. the con-
Wet question is settled for five years,
from April 1. 1904. Col. Rawls helped
to seal that question for that period
by his vote. 1t matters not who goes
to the Senate, this question is not like
ly to come UP for the consideration of
that body. Therefore. Col. Rawls is
a party to the convict lease system. He
advocated 1t and voted for it, He
helped to open the gate for the lessee.
one breath, and in the next praise Col.
Rawls for voting for the act to lease
them out? The act as passed to nire
out the states convicts, and for which
Col. Rawls voted, was intended and did
invite bids from the people for its con-
vict labor. Under this law the con-
victs have been hired out. Is it right
for a representative to aid in passing
a law, and when a citizen avails him
self of the privileges accorded him I'M
der that law--tell him he is not eligi-
bic to hold public Office? This is the
position that the friends 90 of my op-
ponent take.
"Oficiai History" tells YOU st is
your duty to support Col. Rawls for
the Senate" The citizens of Effingham
county are noted for being free think
ers and exercising their own rights.
/ favor the rotation system for elect
ing a senator. 1t is Effinghams time
to make the selection. 1 will abide
the will of Effingham's voters. All l
ask is fair dealings and impartial
judgment.
/ favor the rotation system OF select
ing a senator, and If I am defeated in
the primary, will abide by the will
of the voters of Effingham county and
support the regular nominee in the Oc-
tober election. Respectfully submitted,
John e. Foy.