Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-05-11

ksne several days before with his wife
and a daughter. and where he had been
taken IN almost Immediately after his ar
rival His condition was critical. and ne
was rushed back TO Atlanta on a litter.
He was taken from depot TO hospital,
and Thursday afternoon an operation was
performed 20 stay the disastrous work OF
at internal malady that had seized him.
But the operation was without avail.
ii came too late Captain Park struggled
through Thursday night and Friday
morning. succumbing at last early Fri
day afternoon
sketch of Life
The sixty-six years Of Treasurer Parks
life were filled with many interesting
events and ne enjoyed a career more vet-
satiie than many other prominent figures
IN Georgia's history. Beginning life
shortly before the war between the
states. Treasurer PARK had barely nm
ished his education when he laid aside
school books TO enter the army OF the
Confederacy He was one of the first to
enlist from the south and he rapidly won
his spurs as a soldier. until he was pro-
moteC 10 a captaincy. where he received
the title OF Captain Park which follow
ed him through ali ofthis other vocations
After the swer he studied law, taught
E[A+N0AH AEANAAAE rAAAAEEEEAEW III GEAAGMlNuFHG
pursuits. was an editor and publisher ana
held the ONCE OF state treasurer for four
consecutive terms. and was on the
threshold OF his fifth term when he died
Il was during his first term in 1900 that
ne came prominently before the people Of
the state and the south by his refusal to
pay the expenses OF N state out of the
frnd that had been set aside for teachers
salaries.
CIashed With Governor
II was during the administration of
Former Governor Allan d. Gambler that
the conflict came. Ex-Governor Gambler.
supported in his contentious by the state
attorney general, demanded that Treasu-
rere Park honor warrants issued upon
the state school fund for the expenses OF
the state. Treasurer Park declined TO
honor the warrants. The attorney geneT-
aI-then Joseph NJ Terrell upheld Gov
crnor Gambler. Treasurer Park again de-
clined and Governor Gambler issued a
mandamus 20 enforce the payment OF the
warrants. Treasurer Park carried the
case to the state supreme court, which
upheld the state treasurer. holding that
ne had no right 10 use the state school
fund for any other purpose than to pay
the salaries of the state school teachers.
A number OF newspapers. I'm publishing
the report OF the decision. intimated that
IL was a personal view for Treasurer
Park
The state treasurer Immediately issued
a statement that such an idea was re-
purnant TO him as he had only contend
- Tor what he thought was the spirit OF
the law and justice 10 school teachers.
Among the other positions that Treas
urer Park held were those of trustee OF
the Wesleyan Female college. OF Macon;
directorshIps in a number Of institutions
and membership in the councils or the
Methodist denomination, OF which he was
a consistent member.
Born i'm LAGRANGE
Robert Emory Park was born in La
Grange. .Troup county. 81 years ago. He
was a descendant OF Major Park. one OF
the most prominent pioneers Of Georgia
His ancestors dated hack 10 generations
in Ireland.
Treasurer Park received his academic
education in Greenville academy an
Brownwood institute at LAGRANGE He en-
tered Emory college in $50. He, was ad-