Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1910-07-12
ONE MAGNIFICENT RESULT OF
HOKE SMITHS ADMINISTRATION
1.-The magnitude of the work being done in
Georgia by the convicts at the present time, and
the results being accomplished are almost be-
yond conception"

interesting appears the legislative report of
the house that recently inspected with
care operation of Georgas convict systematic
system which under the administration of Governor
Hoke Smith, and which is due to the force and persistence
of his effort.
The report abounds in specific instances that
just system doing for public highways and
thereby farmers schools and the social
good few of the striking facts presents
Approximately thousand five hundred convcts who
formerly let private interests at work build
ing roads for the public benefit
During the past year six thousand been
graded and made permanent.
Fifteen thousand miles of roads have to extent been
permanently improved
conservative estimate value of road building
equipment including stock the counties nearly
and half million dollars.
The county authorities quote the precise language OF the
report ar rapidly learning the art of road building and the
results the years pass will be much gratifying
The average of convict to the county only forty or
fifty day Thus under the system the counties
getting their roads built for just about half third OF what
they formerly had pay They building roads better
building them cheapy than before
The report states further that the concts are now being
wholesome food sleeping regularly and IN every par
cuar being well cared or that they healthy and strong
Such in brief is the testimony of this house and senate
mittee on law which enacted by
progressive Democracy led and supported by constructive
governor.
Had the administration of Hoke Smith nothing
take the cOnvc from private leases and put them to work
and enduring place in the history of Georgia.
The of how that great law passed still fresh IN the
peoples of the legislature the
crowded into the by
the other important business Governor Smith accord
called extraordinary consider this matter The
legislature evident from the that the
opposition forces bent resisting effort to take the
private leases For twenty days the fight ragged
both houses
Governor Smith might easily have remained inactive He
might only letter of his office
avoided the duties to which its spirit i'm
PEELED him. But this all other instances he believed that
business work vigorously for the states wei
simply occupy office He therefore brought
upon the situation his influence He declared openly
that would which sought return the
private And throughout the fight between
reactonary the the this
declaration of the stood bulwark for the interests
of every county in the state
This present convict system
established
now say legislative committees the results being
accomplished this system almost beyond conception
those who opposed the when Hok Smith and his admin
istration seeking its enactment compelled to admit
its wisdom and blessings They have but to look the
ties of Georgia to be convinced.
What mean this fact that four thousand five hundred
building highways public fifteen thou
improved during past year. that six
thousand miles of roads graded made permanent
that the farm has been brought the market
that the merchant has brought the farm that children
rural districts their easily school,
that negbrs mnge before that the the
educational and the social interests of the commonwealth have all
impetus will through
to
Such the results of administration that dealt
deeds in words-an administration that sought work
rather than nacton that stood for opposed
tion that spent time producing useful
for the people, not in weaving petty schemes for politics