Fitzgerald enterprise. (Fitzgerald, Ga.) 1895-1912, 1908-01-09

b. D. Green and J. L. Gaynor serving
time in the federal prison at Atlanta, wi.cre they
were taken early yesterday from Macon. The trip
from Macon was made in q Pullman car.
This ride on Pullman from Macon to Atlanta
is the last bit of luxury that these noted prisoners
will cnioy for four years. They were brought TO
a sharp r. a!ization of this when, ON their arrivs
at the federal prison Wednesday morning they
were rendered a bath and shave like any common
moonshiner or minor counterfeiter The gsvern-
ment makes no distl notion: and would as soon
make bank president take ba ut 10 O'Clock
in the morning as any other man. 1t is part OF
the system.
Later in the day the prisoners will be given
All examination by the peiit6ntiary physician.
This is another part Of the system. Then they
will he assigned quarters and fitted to Uniform
bearing their numbers. For four years they will
be designated by number, which will he stamped
in 1egib!c figures on their backs.
The life of the federal prison will he a taxing
one after the free and easy dcipiIne OF the county
Jail ct Macon, carriage drives down town, attend
ance at baseball and trips to summer resorts. will
be tabooed The men can't even smoke III their
cells, except on rare occasions, like Christmas.
Their diet Will be Of the simplest, and the
nearest they will get to any kind of amusement
will be to attend the enter tainments which arc
given from time to time In the penitentiory chapel
wnen they Will bc marched in along with the other
convcts of the pen.
Every man with heart will sympathize with
q prisoner but wholesome lesson is taught in
their case. We have reached a point in this
government when money will not save criminal
from punishment.
Pun fitzgerald OF Inn Dat
One of the results of the money c1icis thro
which we have just passed will be to revolutionizc
the credit system. Eagcrness for business has
led many merchants to extend credit to those who
had no prospect of paying and but little DISPOSE
ton to do so. But the system has received a back
set and retail merchants are denying credit to
people who arc not absolutely good, and in some
instances no man. credit is good at the store for
even 80 days.
The final outcome will be watched with gener.
al interest The probability is it will result in
wholesome economy on the part of many who buy
freely when few days to intervene before set
Element day, but who will exercise greater care
when the money is to be passed instantcr
Psi for Fitz1.rad or Pull Out
COL Jesse Mercer, of Fitzgerald, who has
been so highly spoken of from time to time by the
state press as probable candidate for prison com
missioner has made formal announcement Of his
candidacy for that Office and his card will be
found in this issue of The Dispatch and News.
AS editor OF the Fitzgerald Enterprise Col. Mer-
cor is well known all over the state, and there is
every reason to believe that he is going to make
fine race. In his announcement Col. Mercer says:
~ will not pay penny for the editorial support
Of the press of the state, weekly or daily and l
shall not risk offence to any contemporary with
an offer Of that nature" 1t was hardly necessary
for COL Mercer to make that statement for he
will have without pay and without solicaton the
cordial support of nearly all the newspaper men,
not simply because he belongs to that class, but
because they know him to be worthy and we'll
qualified in every way to ill the position. Col.
Mercer enters the race with very tlattcring pros
poets and the Dispatch and News would be glad
to see him elected for we believe he would make
fine officer. --EIawkinsvio Dispatch and News
Col. Jessie Mercer, editor of the Fitzgerald
Enterprise and one of the best known men in
Georgia has announced for Prison Commission to
Succeed Col Tom ElSon II il thouobt that Mr.