The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1907-1917, 1910-09-29

lhe Orpheum, one OF the finest theatres
In Atlanta, was crowded and many people
were turned away, the night Mr. Watson de-
hvered his speech.
For the benefit of those who were not able
to hear it, full report is here given.
Said Mr.. Watson
Ladies and Gentlemen
For a few moments there will necessarily be
some confusion, as late corners arrive. I hope
therefore, that you will settle down in order that
may proceed with my address.
This ancient and faded paper exhibiting old
document) was found by me the other day in
looking old scrap-books and relics of
the hot fight which we had in the COS.
There those who say that the Peoples
Party movement and the Farmers Alliance
ment, out of which it grew, failures If you
will take that platform made by the Peoples
Party in 1896 and study it plank by plank you
will discover that every single demand of the
Farmers Alliance and Peoples Party of Georgia,
far as this State is concerned has been enacted
into law, and the people enjoying the benefits
of them this very day.
The very first plank in the State platform is in
these words in part: "Civilizaton, to say nothing
of religion has entered up judgment of
demnation against the bar rooms We for
Governor upon that not Populist, but Prohibi-
ton Democrat,-the Hon. Seaborn Wright of
Rome. We did not elect him but we sowed the
seed. In Gods time the seed grew until the
harvest and tonight the supposition is that there
is not single bar room in Georgia daughter
and applause
That plank written by Seab himself
(cheers.) The next was written by red-topped
person of just about my size. (Cheers) 1t be-
gins this way: eve demand the abolition of the
present convict lease system which prostitutes to
the greed of private operators the States sover-
eign power to punish her citizens for violations of
law" (Cheers.) The convict lease system is
gone. 1t is true did not abolish it, but to our
ment which back of the grand fight against the
convict lease system, made by F. L. Seely of the
Atlanta Georgian.
Then, again, declared against the use of
free passes by public officials They longer use
them. The use of them is forbidden by law, and
that was one of the demands enacted into law
which grew out of the campaign of 1906.
Again, we demanded that all public officers be
elected by the people, At that time they were ap-
pointed. The people had voice in the selection
of their judges their socitors-general, their
prison commissioners, their railroad commission
ers their Acknowledgement, the judges of the SUI
perior Court and of the Supreme Court They
were all appontive; or elective by the Legisla-
ture. We thought that, being self-governing
people, the people themselves should vote direct
ly for those who to hold these Offices. At
the time the demand first made it con-
sidered absurd. In the of time public opin-
ion turned strongly and more strongly in
favor of that demand until now the highest head
ed officer in the State of Georgia, whether he be
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court or judge only
of the Superior Court has to get down on the
common level of common humanity and ask Old
Man Peepul for it.. applause and cheers)