Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1908-03-20
HON JOS. M. BROWN IS
OUT FOR GOVERNOR
Defines His Platform to
Georgia Voters.

Hon Joseph M. Brown, of Marietta,
has announced his candidacy for
Governor before the Democratic pri-
mary on June A. He will be the only
opponent, no doubt, of the present
incumbent, Gov Hoke Smith.
In his official announcement, Mr..
Brown says, among other things:
To the People of Georgia:
Although l have unexpectedly re-
ceived a great number of letters, pc
titiOns and spoken requests represent
ing many thousands of the people,
large majority of whom are farm
ers, laboring men, manufacturers and
business men, to allow the use Of my
name as a candidate for Governor of
Georgia subject to the primary June
4th, as compliance involves possibly a
lifetime, [ have refrained from an
nOunc ement a decision, hoping that
some other candidate would come to
the front But, as that hope has
not been realized, l have been forced
to the conclusion that it is my duty
to obey the call which my fellow
citizens have made.
Gov Smith in his speech at Decatur
March 9th, enumerated amnog the
official plans he has for the future
the enactment of the so-called port
rates." These rates, if made effec-
tive mean the ruin of industries
of Georgia, and, as a corallary, the
destruction of the nearby markets for
farmers of our own State. 1t is, there
fore, imperative to Georgia, that this
plan should be made impossible of
fulfillment since the mere threat of
it and kindred declarations has
wrought serious disaster to our peole.
If elected shall give the people an
administration characterized by the
strictest economy and shall favor the
following measures:
l. A return to the payment in one
sum of Confederate pensions, such as
prevailed before the advent of the
present State administration.
2. The reduction of taxation as
quickly and as to as great an extent
as can be made practicable.
3. The regulation of the railroads,
This should be done with firmness, but
with judgment, holding equally in
mind the rights of the public who
travel and ship, of the stockholders
who own the properties and of the
lives and fair wages of the employees.
4. The proper support of all pub
lie institutions.
5. AS liberal appropriations for
the common schools as the public fin
ances will allow.
6. Changes in the Railroad Com
mission law, viz: First, the repeal of
those parts which give that commits
sion jurisdiction over such local in
stitutions as telephones, gas and cleo
trio lighting plants, cotton compress
ses and street railways. Secondly,
to insert the requirement that one of
the commissioners shall be rate
expert and to repeal that section pro-
viding for a rate expert not a COM
missioner, thus saving $4,000 per
annum in that Office. Thirdly, to
compel railroads to properly light
and heat passenger stations and to
require equitable demurrage rules.
z. The establishment of a Depart
ment of Labor.
8. The strict enforcement of the
present prohibition law If the peo-
pie in the coming election choose
members of the General Assembly
who, in accordance with the will of
their constituents, make any change
in the present law, I will sign the
bill thus ordered by the people.
9. The enactment of law against
lobbying, so as to preserve the purity
of our legislative system the same
as the purity of our jury system.
10. The encouragement, by a pro-
per administration of the laws, of the
agricultural, mercantile and manufac-
turing industries of the State The
assurance, not only to citizens of
this State, but to citizens of other
States, that all capital invested in
legitimate enterprises in Georgia shall
have the equal protection of the laws
and the equal friendly consideration
of those who administer the laws of
Georgia.
IL. The encouragement by all le-
gal methods of undesirable immigra-
ton.
In conclusion let us unite to prove
that Georgia will be just to all whose
citizenship or investments, are with
in her borders. Let us unite to res
tore employment, with good wages,
to those who are now the unmerited
victims of an unnec essary panic. Let
us unite to prevent cotton from fall
ing to an improbable price. Let us
unite to bring back prosperity to
Georgia.
Respectfully your fellow citizen,
(Signedl JOSEPH M. BROWN.
Marietta, Ga, March 1S, 1908.