Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1905-07-07
APPOINTMENT OF Mr.. STEVENS

dorsement. 1t is certainly source
of greatest qualification to the en-
tire people of south Georgia, Mr..
Stevens own section, where he has
so long resided and is so favorably |
known. The Constitution of yes
terday contained the following well |
merited mention of Mr.. Stevens
appointment, which the Times Re-
corder takes much pleasure in re-
producing:
EIn selecting Hon. 0. B. Stevens
to be member of the railway COM
mission, Governor Terrell has cho-
sen one who has made an excellent
record in one of the most import
ant offices in the state, and whose
record in that office has been given
emphatic approval by the votes of
the people.
GAS farmer on a large scale, as
merchant, as cotton buyer and,
later, acting as the representative
of the fruit interests of the section
in which he resided, Mr.. Stevens
has had long and practical expert
ence as shipper; and this expert
ence, combined with that stock of
common sense which may be said
to be the chief trait in his make
up, marks him as admirably equip
ped to handle those business prob
lens with which as member of the
railway commission he will be call
ed upon to deal.
"Mr. Stevens is a south Geor-
gian, native of Randolph county.
Born in that portion of Randolph
which subsequently became Ter
rell, it is with this latter county
his career has, from that day to
this, been associated. His father
was a farmer, and his early days
were spent in acquiring the rudi-
ments of the knowledge of farm
ing, which not only won him sue
cess at that avOcation in later life,
but that have been of so much
value to him in the responsible pO-
sition of commissioner of agricul-
ture. which he has filled so accept
ably for several years.
"The father of young Stevens
was. poor but thrifty The boyin-
herited these qualities, and when
a youth of fourteen or fifteen be-
gan clerking in country store.
Here he. imbibed those business
fprSnciples which later enabled him
to win success as merchant and
dealer in cotton. After some rath-
er disastrous experiences in hand
ling their melon output, the grow
ers of Terrell and the surrounding
counties selected Mr.. Stevens to
handle their output at st. Louis
one year and at Pittsburg another,
and the success he attained was of
practical, money value to those in
terests. In dealing with matters
appertaining to freight shipments
he will, therefore, not approach
the subject as a novice or mere
theorist.
''Mr. Stevens has been quite &C
tive in politics since his election as
representative from Terrell in the
middle eighties. He served two
terms in the house and later served
with distinction as senator from
the eleventh district. Upon the
conclusion of his term in the SEN
ate, he was elected commissioner of
agriculture, a position in which he
has served with distinction. His
administration of the affairs of this
high office, which he still holds,
has been marked by great advance
ment ON the part of the agricultu-
raj interests of Georgia.
"While a number of other able,
competent and popular Georgians
have been mentioned for the rail
road lcommissionership; and while,
NATURALLY, there may be some feel
ing of disappointment on the part
q hose who have supported other
all concede the eminent quail
tions of Mr.. Stevens for the
all essentials a man of the
e0P1e, his whole life stands as ev-
idence of the singleness of his pur-
pose in upholding the rights of the
people under any and all condi>
tions and circumstances.
"When the question Of the for
rrsatsatioofHa 81 ttlhfeeHailWay commission
Vas pending before the legislature,
Stevens was one of commit
representative business men
Ason and Americas who |
tlanta and worked hard |
cation of the commission.
Cng before he bad taken
politics. He believed
Ia commission then,
y ! : i;I; :; !: