The Brunswick news. [volume] (Brunswick, Ga.) 1906-2016, 1909-07-07

fled against McLendon. This charge
and Ne understand that II has been
admitted by the commissioner.
touches ulon the grave matte. o. the
violation Of the oath Of ofhca. than
which there can be no more sacred
VOW.
It is charged and up TO this time
is not disputed, that with the advice
Of the attorney general Of. Georgia
to the fact that 1t was contrary t.
law for a railroad commissioner TO
own railroad stocks, bonds or other
collateral property, Nj McLendon
did, for several months during such
term. own and control and file with
certain Atlanta banking houses as
collateral some twenty-five thousand
dollars Of the bonds Of the Athens
Street Railroad company and finally
did sell to New York brokers the
bonds in question.
If these statements now flooding
the state Of Georgia are true, if they
can be confirmed and we understand
that prominent Atlanta bankers who
financed the transactions have stated
that they are true, then We submit
that there is no other possible route
Tor the legislature to travel save the
one Of impeachment. On the charges
of Governor Smith, partisan friends
OF Mr.. McLendon could argue a
change Of heart, new light. new
understand ng Of the theory of rate
making on the part of the commits
sioner, might have been responsible
for his conduct with reference to his
position on the port rate question.
While all Of these new faiths were
not embraced until me man who
made him a factor in Georgia had
been defeated, while he argued for
port rates with facts ana figures, while
his chief was in the throes of battle.
still as We stated those blinded to
truth could have ins SEED on a sin
cere change Of heart in the premises.
However in these new charges Of
which the governor was not advised,
what excuse can the legislature Of
Georgia advance for the conduct Of
this man?
Here was an Official called to high
position by the people, a lawyer of.
ability, VINO for years vas a ,atlroed
attorney Eve call It attorney through
courtesy), and who SHOULD hare teen
posted on railroad laws, asking the
a'torn Y general Of Georgia what the
'aw Us IN tbs very im~ortant sub
jsct' Advised again Of this law and
i was contained in the oath to which
h had recently subscribed, he goes
aAead deliberately and engages in
Ills system Of finance. while holding
en- to his Official position and re-
ceiying the peoples money for his
services to them and to the state.
This cath Of Office provided for in the
constitution is wise propos ton. No
people have as much access to the
affairs OF the transportation compan-
les in the state as a member Of the
railroad commission He knows Of
their value and their lack of it, he
knows what railway bonds arc well Sc
cured and he knows those which are
not ne is posted as to their earnings
and their expenses, he knows which
securities Of which companies are
marketable and yice-versa. For these
reasons the law very wisely in poses
an oath upon her railroad commits
sioners that they will not speculate
on and traffic with this knowledge.
The News has 10 personal feeling
in this matter; it does not have the
privilege OF q personal acquaintance
ship with Mr.. McLendon, but it does
have a faith in the loyalty and the
integrity Of the men called to high
official station in Georgia and by that
faith it calls upon the legislature to
impeach Mr.. McLendon, remove him
from Office and allow the governor to
name man in the position who en-
joys the fun confidence of all of the
people of the state.