The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-07-06
LEGISLATORS ARE
WORKING SLOWLY
Only One Important Bill Is
Made Law in Georgia
GRAFT CHARGES MADE
vestigntion Hut Charges Appear to
He Baseless-Voters of State
Are All Registered

Atlanta, July 5.-(Special )-Politics and
| matters political, have, to an extent,
dimmed the lustef of the great Georgia
| legislature, and 1t is not as much in the
| limelight as 1t might be If there were no
| warm state campaign in progress.
So far, with plenty of measures before
1t ready for final action, the Legislature
has finally passed but one measure of
the bill appropriating 100000 to pay addi-
tional pensions under the pension amend
ment to the state constitution adopted
two years ago. 1t is proposed that these
payments shall become available next
year, though where the money is coming
from is still a problem.
Both houses have passed bills to regu-
late the operation of automobiles on the
roads of the state and to require registra-
ton. But they are different bills, and the
two houses will have to get together on
compromise, probably through confer
ence committee.
The ]. l. Barron investigation, as the
result of charges of graft against the
keeper of public buildings in connection
with the Improvements on the state capt.
toll, has proven the incident of most inter-
est so far in connection with the legisla-
| tive proceedings.
But even that seems to have fallen flat
in view of Ehe refusal of Mr.. Watson,
after making the charges public, to fur
nish the name of his informant
Widespread criticism of Mr.. Watson is
heard on every side for publishing a
criminal charge against state official
and then refusing to give the source of
his information because the man who
wrote him told him not TO do 1t. 1t is
pointed out that Mr.. Watsons only just
and correct course, after publishing the
| charge, would have been to make public
the name Of his informant, whether the
| latter wished it or not. =.
However. it is now definitely understood
that the writer of the letter to Mr.. Wat
son was A. M. Walker, formerly a resi-
dent of Epson county, where Mr.. Barren
at one time lived. That he wrote the let
ter is freely stated among Mr.. Barron s
friends Mr. Walker was an applicant for
the position of keeper of public buildings
and grounds, which went to Mr.. Barron.
Efforts made to locate Mr.. Walker and
| ask him about the matter failed complete
| ly. 1t is thought, however, the puoiica-
| ton of his name in connection with the
matter, and of the report now widely cur
rent. that he is the author of the letter
to Mr. Watson, may have the effect OF
bringing him forth.
While Mr.. Barron has made no definite
statement on the subject, 1t 10 generally
stated among his friends that he does not
propose to let the matter drop.
1t is limited that he will institute pro-
ceedings for criminal libel against Mr..
Watson and against the author of the let
| ter in the superior courts of Fulton
4 county. where the charge was published.
Such action would on doubt prove widely
interesting. 1t is also said he may bring
suits for damages coupled with the former
action.
| Mr.. Barron, 1t is stated, will wait until
the legislative committee has finally dis
posed of the matter. and then take 1t UP
! in the courts.
state Registration
For the first time in the history of the
state complete registration figures have
been compiled, showing that there are
registered for the 1910 primary and state
elections total of 2s1. 145 " bite voters.
/ These figures have been secured by
the Constitution direct from the tax
collectors in each county In the state.
and were sent In by militia districts.
The tax collector is the county regis
trar. SO these are the official figures.
Not only will their publication in ad-
vance of the primary prove of inter-
est, but will be valuable reference data
in future election years.
With a white registration Of 261.14s
there are registered only 11,2S5 negroes;
the latter, of course. have no right OF
participation in the primary.
What the white registration was for
l1908-the last election year-is net
definitely known. but 1T is estimated to
have been some 10000 in excess of
this years registration. The vote In
the 1908 primary was approximately
10000.
Fulton county. of course. has the
largest registration. both of white and
black, the former 14,172 and the lat
ter 1859. But this registration is con-
siderably less than Fulton had two
years ago.
Registration In the next largest coun-
ties is as follows: Bib, 4675 white and
318 black; Chatham 1927 white and 52e
black: Gwinnett. 4747 white and %
black; Richmond, 4446 white and 10d
black; Berrien, 1857 white and rs black
lCobb, 1897 white and 156 black; Floyd
3467 white and 50 black; Hall. 1871
white and 204 black; Jackson. 37oi
white and 1852 black.
The smallest registration In the state
lis in Quitman with $50 white and II
black. Close seconds are Webster It'll
s2S white and II, blacks: Chattahoochee
s6s white and 1S black; Lee, 44O white
and 213 black.
-Four counties. Miller, Towns. Wilkes
and Worth have not a single negro
registered.
Democratic Chairman
Hon. Hewlett 4, Hall Of Newman. wht
has been appointed attorney general t.
succeed Judge John G. Hart. and wht
goes into office July IL. will tender
his resignation at once as chairman o
the state democratic executive com
mittee and the vice chairman OF thu
COMMITTEES, Hon. c. r. Pendleton. edi
; tor of the Macon Telegraph, will taxi
charge. Any future meetings Of thu
committee will be called and presidet
over by Mr.. Pendleton.
: Mr.. Hail. it is stated, will also be
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