Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1910-06-03

the sovereign state of Georgia for more
than a quarter of a century, and while
they selected for themselves the highest
political offices in the state, they made
business of beating down and driving out
every prominent man in public life who
did not yield to their iron rule and direc-
ton.
This is an unquestioned fact, plain as
recorded history can make out a case
with ample proof.
Again and again there would come up
a demand to investigate and ventilate.
Sometimes the investigation and ventila-
ton would be all that might be expected,
but the verdict was always with the
bosses of politics in Georgia. These con-
Wet lesses made judges and solicitors as
well as congressman and members of the
legislature. When they were not in the
employ of the lessees, directly and indi-
rectly, they were afraid to antagonize.
because they might be thrown overheard,
etc.
1 we'll remember a time only 20 years
ago when a proposition was made to
Georgia congressman to allow him to go
in that time if he would pledge himself
not to run the next time, and the PROPOSE
ton came from people who were in the
highest offices of the state of Georgia.
Well do 1 recollect the reply that was
returned: Never, never, will / be
party to such combination. They may
beat me las they did, but 1 will retain
my self-respectw
There was one public man in Georgia
that know who never bowed the knee
to Baal-but L also know that the con-
vict lease in Georgia had it's active finger
in every political campalgn-and pro-
tected every one of its servitors, when
| Investigations were set on foot to I'M
cover the enormlIies of the system
until the whole thing broke down in its
rottenness.
A similar state of Things is now going
! on in Washington city. There are great
syndicates in the west VINO are raking
in the coal mineral lands of Alaska into
their own grasp. These syndicates have
placed man in the department of the
interior to shield their purposes and to
hold their profits. 1t has transpired
that he has grown OVERLOAD In protect
| ing his masters, these owners of what
Mr.. Roosevelt calls predatory wealth.
An investigation was set on foot by
men in the house and senate who pre-
ferred to retain their self-respect and
who have dared to encounter the enmity
of the powers that be-" Ihe enormi-
ties have been uncovered and the trail
was hot when President Taft stepped
in to protect his friends. Why? Because
these great syndicates helped to elect
him, and he must stand by the man, they
named to him, as secretary of Inc inte-
rior.
They demand that he shall stand by
their man, otherwise, they might turn
big guns the other way!
Ona can almost smell the fresh white
wash in that investigation 1t is there
and in the meanwhile these land-grab-
! bers are packing down their stealings IN
a safe place and the people of the
United States are helpless to keep hold
on the public domain or even to convict
those who are in the stealing business.
Such is our politics. both state ana
national. ---------------
The first reformers who come out to
hight PREDATORY wealth are apt to be
showed under by corruption at the bal
lot box, but as time rolls along each
combat gives better view and in prog
ress on events right finally comes into
its own.