The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1909-06-24
Georgia Legislature Con-
| veneS.
DEALS WITH RACE QUESTION
States Future Requires nlitefacK
Among Whites Mast Cease.
The Retiring Execurive Also Desn
with the Strike ~ the Firemen
Upon tho Georgia
Railroad. - y

Atlantis, Ga. Juns 2s.--The feature
OF the frst session OF the State Legis~
lature. which convened today. was tina
Anal message of Governor Hoke smith,
The retiring executive dealt frankly
with the race question and incidentally
discussed the recent nremen's strike on
the Georgia Railroad.
After describing what had been done
by his administration. and making
some recommendation. Governor smith
took mp the negro question and said:
''The new franchise act, passed byl
the last Legislature was ratified bx
the people and IL now q part OF the
constitution OF Georgia. It prescribe4
qualifications for the exercise Of the
right to vote. which viii profsat svsu
the smallest community from thosa
who, unable TO control themselves. ara
utterly unfit TO vote upon the rights o.
others."
In discussing the schools OF the Stata
Governor Smith praised the ofiiciaia
for the Improvement shown and sua%
gested that commissioners adopt Hae
course In the schools to the needs and
conditions Of the people In the CONS
munity He claimed that % per cent
OF the white children of the State wsrN
In school and said the other per cenn
should be brought in toe.
'"rhe future OF our state requires
that there shall be no illiteracy among
our white children" he said Il do not
mean any unkindness to the negro.
child by this discrimination, but 81
don't believe that instruction fronN
books, except OF a simple character. -
OF any benefit to a considerable pofttou
Of them. Education should 1T for life
with a view to the character and possi~
bilities of the children. The differences
between the races should be recognised
by the County school Commissioners
and they should not hesitate to do sQ
on account OF the maudlin crtticiam4
that may come upon them from certatik
classes of would-be phllanthropistH *
other sections who don't understand tina
true nature Of the negro or the true
relations OF the races
Concerning the strike, GoveFnor
Smith said:
During the past month, a strike hN
firenen upon the Georgia Railroad res
suited In q temporary suspension %
the operation OF this road. The strike
was caused by the discharge OF white
fremen and the SUBSTITUTION OF neEroe4
at small reduction of pay, togetheH
with the recognition of seniority Of nes
gro firemen over white iremen on thu
main line. There was great excito%
ment and some trouble along the iin0
OF the road. / telegraphed sherfffs and
mayors urging them to be vigilant 50
protect life and property. The General
Manager Of the road, THOMAS Sc0tky
was persistent in his demand that tho
Governor should take additional action
with reference to the disturbances
did not accede to the demands. be-
lieved the course being pursued waa
the wise and proper course. and could
not sympathize with the reckless wills
ingness of Mr.. Scott TO precipitate the
possible loss OF life and destruction OF
property"
The Legislature was called to order
by Secretary Charles s. Northen Ia the
Senate and Clerk John T. Boifeuillet
in the House. Without contest John
NJ. Slaton was elected President Of
the Senate and John N. Holder Speak
or OF the House. Immediately af*er
organizing. the Governors message
was received and read.