Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1910-07-29
Freedom of Speech
For Government Employees

If is a well known fact that great syn
dicates. railway corporations and mann
moth enterprises pay regular campaign
contributions or assessments in presiden-
tial elections. Figures are Hequenl,y
given, amounts set down and no denlals
are seen as to the fact that such contriou-
lions are paid.
Hon. Jay Gould was put on the stand
SO to speak, in a congressional inVesuga-
ton a good many years ago, and ne
blithely testified on oath that ne was
Republican in Republican states ana
Democrat in Democratic states at election
time. but with naive frankness he was
for Jay Gould all the time. He ooushI
right and left to do it. When election
time comes on then these ruling dictators
aim to see their ticket elected, and they
do not blush when they give orders that
their men shall vote right, and some
body will be there to see that the en-
ploye votes right. They will be ordered
TO vote or to go somewhere else. These
people dare not speak out like free men,
unless they are ready to give up the
job.
Now somebody will say, "Oh! that's up
north. Everybody speaks out in Georgia,
and I'd like to see the man who would
put a shackle on the men VINO work IN
mines and factories, ETC., in Georgia!
u
meet a candidate for congress who lives
In a cotton mill district. We were not
much acquainted. but in progress Of con-
versation he remarked: I've felt the
mailed hand of power already. fr1end
of mine an humble friend and employe
in a factory district, told me II was
more than he could do to vote for me.
ITS my Job that 1 must hold, and I've
had nv hint" That's tariff to hurt!
What do you think of that In old Geor-
eia? It has not been ten years ago that
I heard a man of great influence IN rail-
road matters laughingly admit that was
generally necessary to look after the
Georgia legislature when railroad mat
ters were en- tapis." He was asked how
he acted when he was looking after
them. With a smile he replied, Just buy
them. that's ALL We can't AFFORD to
lose. and we make the way easy to the
men who are to serve u.s." heard the
words myself.
I have vivid recollection of some hot
campaigns in the Seventh district in years
gone by when men who loved DR.. FELTON,
and who were heart and soul with MS
cause would tell him in confidence that
they were too dependent to vote for him,
after the usual orders passed up ana
down the line.
"A
''shut mouth" when a burning or a
damage has occurred. II he is pliabie
enough he can just lie little. as 1 knew
one to do last year. He knows where
his bread is buttered and he likes butter
on his bread.
Away down at the root OF things is
the awful curse of "bossism. II Is the
ever-present menace to free government.
The big concerns wouldn't hesitate a
minute to stop the fellow that "let his
mouth 60 off,
/ saw a big gang of little chickens
following a hen out on our farm the
other day. asked, Did that hen hatcn
all those chickens?" mo, ma'am, was
the coIored woman's reply. Another hen
had - hut I heard her crow twice, so
I wrung her neck in two minutes" Some
folks are imprudent and crow and they
get it where the Growing hen got it-in
the necki