Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-08-31
THE GOVERNOR MAKES THE ISSUE.

Joseph F. Gray, secretary ana ex-
ecutve officer chamber of to be
member of railroad commission of Georgia has now become
effective and he has taken the oath of office.
therefore square drawn between the present
administration and the interior cities of Georgia on the vital qus
ton of port rates.
the voluntary tender of high and important position and
has accepted it He of character and standing ana
But in making this appointment the present administration
put people interior in Georgia on notice
that they need expect relief from the burdens OF port ra
discrimination long the present administration is IN power
and the personnel of the present railroad commission remains
many respects the most astonishing and the most un
appointment that could have been made In Its essence
open defiance of the wishes and the welfare OF the people
of Georgia O.
repeat just criticism could attach to Mr. Gray
but his opinion the question OF port
record and he is elevated to quasijudca
position his hostility the measure OF re
by people known and established He is singled
sit in Judgment paramount issue against which ne
expressed his opinion plain terms and active form
As climax of this defiance of the popular WILL ne is al
lowed retain lis Official connection with the very M
organization behalf he entered his protest against the
granting of pert the very which wrought the over
throw his party at interest has oen eaio "
This is the of defiance which the present
of Georgia and thew take if M with cheerful dissemination
1t has at least the virtue that the people are no longer IN
doubt wherS the administration stands this vital qes
They wait for the shadowy and uncertain develop
ment of the administration policy They have asked Tor orea9
and have been given store They have asked Tor re ana
The love of fair play which prevails hearts of the
people of Georgia led them to indulge hope the
succeeded s. McLendon would at least to the com
mission with an pen this important question The least
that expected that would be chosen whose very
appointment would not be reputation of port rates
who INDUCED that hope have greatly deceived
themselves find the administration announcing to the IN
of Georgia. by this appointment that they
expect relief the injustice and oppression of port
rates so long as the present regime continues. c.. :
important office The railroads which forty millions of
dollars from the people of Georgia require constant
supervision the interests of the people to be protected
The enlarged jurisdiction of the commission has multiplied
the duties of that body and the salaries paid the commits
ene the people of Georgia practically speaking at
least entire time and attention of the members of that
The administration selected a who is unwilling to
forego private employment which hitherto has occupied his
And vitality important the personal duties with
which he identified bring him in direct conflict with the inter
of of Georgia of the most farreachg
and important questions which confront them.
Mr. Gray has been identified with railroad interests all his
life and has public affairs from that angle This would
necessarily prevent him from taking impartial view OF
questions between the railroads and the people, though
must be remembered that habit is ten times nature But as
secretary the Savannah chamber of he has made
argument against the most important question on which ne will
have during the period of his ncmbency for this port
rate fight has but begun.
roads which command the situation here in Georgia wish to main
tain high ara haul Controlling the water rates
adjustment between the ports and the interior cities
and of the These interior towns absolutely at
the of the railroads which abuse their power by imposing
determinations place embargo and
industry The trade of surrounding states underse
and manufacturers at their doors 1t is blight
which spells ruin for of greatest enterprises and stran
giles legitimate growth and development in territory
The who violated his obligations to the people this
important question: their will in the hour of vic
tory dismissed from office for his reachery and his dis
confirmed by the representatives of the people and
by the people themselves.
The man or may imagine that this the
sentiment and that the interior and cities of
Georgia will amely submit to this continued blight upon the
prosperity of the state is but poorly qualified to read the signs
of the times
In bold snd defiant present administration has
made its choice.
Thus tauLted the midst OF oppression the people OF Gor
gia will know how to act.