The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1907-07-05
To General Assembly and
the People of Georgia.
VIEWS EXPRESSED
New Chief Executive Discusses Affairs
of State, and Recommends Re-
form Legislation Along
Many Lines.
Gentlemen of the Legislature
and Fellow Citizens:

/ take the oath of office with the
purpose, God helping and directing
me, to perform every duty the Office
permits in the interest Of tne masses
Of the people. But there are certain
duties which nave been specifically
placed upon me. They have been
voiced by the voters at the ballot box.
They have been declared by their rep
Tesentatyes at the Democratic con-
vsntlon accept Office under SOL
emn direction by the people to car
~ out the platform pledges.
We must not be led away TO other
tasks until our specific pledges to the
people have been performed.
A government fails to reach It's
highest sphere If 1t does not protect
tAe fight of property, and at the same
time constantly broaden opportunities
for mental moral and financial
growth to the less fortunate
A government by the people fur
nishes the only hope for such a re-
suit. To make 1t sure, ballot boxes
must be pure, and legislative halls
must be free from the influence of
predatory wealth
Every frank man admits that in ma
tional and state legislation more pow
or has been exercised by tne great
corporations than has been consis-
tent witch the full protection Of pop
ular rights
The time has come when it is
necessary to determine whether GER
tain favored interests or the state
shall rule.
Suppress Lobbyists.
What has been told of hired polti-
cal agents infesting legislative halls
Is no idle story. They have been
the curse Of national legislation; their
influence for evil has been felt in
nearly every state, and Georgia has
been no exception to the rule.
The great body of the people in
1erested in legislative matters are
busy at home with their daily abors
The hired political agent has been
permitted to press his masters inter-
est, not only by using his own per
Eonal influence, but by bringing from
different parts Of the state his little
strikers to sit around hotels, and
present In the presence of members
Of the legislature, with professed i'm
partiallty. what he terms the wishes
az the people, while at the same time,
secretly, he is hired to defeat their
interests
believe that you will pass legisla-
ton to make it a crime for an attor-
ney or agent, hired to support or OPP
pose legislation. to discuss his ch-
euts interest in the presence Of those
who are TO vote upon It except where
4hat discussion IS at a public hearing
o. with members OF the legislature
officially named for conference.
Stop Free Passes.
urge also the passage of bill
which will put an end to the free pass
system between local points in Geor-
Ria This practice began, and was
followed for a long time, with but
Sew harmful results 1t has grown
10 be a crying evil It has become
g means Of petty political bribery Our
common carriers have no right TO
charge for transportation more than q
Gum reasonably sufficient to pay them
for their services. If some ride free,
those who pay must be charged SUI
Ncient rates to cover the legitimate
cost Of their transportation and the
passage of the free pass holders.
The time has come when all
should pay less for transpor-
taton The hired political agent
and the free pass system are twin
evils. Within a few days YOU can
make their existence impossible In
Georgia If these laws are prompt
ly passed, we may expect from
throughout the state words of conf
dence and praise, inspiring us TO fur
ther action in behalf of better gov
eminent.
Money in Politics and Clean Elections.
The best results from popular gov
eminent can only be had where the
individual voter approaches the ballot
box influenced alone by a patriotic
purpose to serve his county, his state
and his nation. One Of the evils which
has polluted elections and debauched