Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1910-07-01
HOUSE HEARS BILL TO
EXEMPT FARM PRODUCTS
CONTINUED from Page u

ferred to them by the legislature"
f. Mr.. Roberts of Dodge: Would this not
incite mill owners to ask for a similar
Exemption"
MILLS MIGHT COMPLAIN
Mr.. Hall: 1T probably would
Mr.. Hill of Monroe: How much ex-
emption would that be?'
Mr.. Hall: THE mills pay on what pro-
duct they have on hand March l."
Mr.. Hill: lone days product?"
Mr.. Hall: mo. Who ever heard of a
mill having just one days output on
hand?'
Mr.. Hardman of Jackson: Don't mills
pay on capital stock?''
Mr.. Hall: "Of course, and on products
on hand on March 1. too. . The
farmers of Georgia don't want this bill.
There is no demand for it. If you want
to help the farmer, for Gods sake stop
down the tax rate. Stop pouring
money into this rat hole of common
schools" .s
Mr.. Carswell of Wilkinson, spoke
against the bill.
II consider this one of the most dan
gerous bills that has ever been intro
duced in this legislature said he. I
am the only genuine countryman in this
Georgia legislature. There were others
from the country, but they hadn't been
here two days before they were wearing
spectacles and walking with walking
sticks We don't want this law. .
Others will come along later, if this bill
is passed, and demand exemption: and
the farmer can't deny them what he's
getting himself. They say Let
the people vote on this and decide what
they want The people will vote for
anything. They've sent me here twice.
and 1 see others in this house who are
serving their second term"
Mr.. Jones of Laurens. farmer, by &C
cupation spoke for the bill. I'm a far
mer," said he but so help me God, if
didn't think this bill was for the best
interests of the people, 1 wouldn't vote
for it,"
Mr.. Johnson of Barlow, one of the
authors of the bill. spoke in its behalf,
saying that very many matters had been
brought into it that did not belong there.
FARMERS INDORSE 1T.
"They say the farmers don't want this
law" said he. The farmers of north
west Georgia. in convention assembled
passed resolutions indorsing this bill. The
Farmers union of Georgia, at Macon in
1909, resolved to indorse this bill"
Mr. johnson pointed out also that the
committee on general agriculture had
recommended the passage of the BILL
though the committee on constitutional
amendments had reported against it.
Mr. Johnson showed that Alabama, Con-
necticut, Mississippi. Tennessee, Texas
North Carolina and West Virginia ex-
empt farm products from taxation, and
that Louisiana exempts farm implements
from taxation.
Don't be afraid that other people will
come here and demand exemptions" said
he. Pass on this proposition on its mer-
it's. Sufficient unto the day Is the evil
thereof"
Mr.. Upsha wof Douglas spoke for the
bill. Mr.. Elder of Oconee was recog-
nized and spoke for the bill.
Mr.. Atkinson of Morgan: You say the
Farmers union and the Cotton associa-
ton want this law. Do you not kno"
that every organization in Georgia
would this minute. IL 1T could. enact
law exempting its own special interest
from taxation"
Mr.. Elder denied this.
Mr.. Persons of Monroe: Don't you
know the cotton mills pay tax"
Mr.. Elder: IT know they pay taxes on
one days output" .t
LET THE PEOPLE SAY.
Mr.. Lewis, of Hancock, spoke for the
bill. Mr.. Simmons of Bulloch spoke for
the bill Mr. Simmons said he was sor-
ry to differ with his friend, Mr.. Hall of
Bibb.
Mr.. Wright of Floyd opposed the bill.
Mr. Alexander of DeKalb propounded
question for him to answer in his speech
about the exemption of solvent bank
debts from taxation.
Mr. Hall, Of Bib: "Is 1t not true that
the banks of the state. paying on CAPT.
tai and surplus, come nearer paying on
how, DIV nlo In
the slater"
Mr. Wright admitted the possibility,
and went on to say that the average re-
turn Of farming land in Georgia is not
more than 40 per cent OF it's true valua-
ton.
EQUAL RIGHTS PRINCIPLE.
He pointed out that the tax on one bale
of cotton is 8 1-2 cents. and derided the
argument that this amount wrung from
the man whom all are so anxious to help
the man who is really poor and who
has but a bale or two-can mean so much
either to him or the state as to warrant
the violation of the fundamental Demo-
cratic principle of equal rights and no
special privileges. And, said he, the rich
farmer who markets thousand bales is
no more entitled to special privileges
than is the banker or the merchant. Mr..
Wright called the bill 'the thin edge of
the wedge that would split the cardinal
principle of Democracy"
Mr.. Alexander of DeKalb arose TO an
swer attacks made on the bill, but Mr..
FuIlbright Of Burke made the point or
order. which was sustained, that Mr..
Alexander had already spoken once and
that other members were waiting to be
recognized. Mr.. TUrnipseed of Clay was
recognized, and defended the measure.
zens. and the veterans of the Confed-
eracy one of the most loyal and devoted
survivors of that glorious army.
SERVICES FOR CAPTAIN REID.
Tender sentiment and loving regard for
its deceased member from Putnam coun-
~. Capt. A s. Reid. were expressed by
the Georgia house of representatives
"WEDNESDAY during it's memorial session Of
an hour in honor of the man whom death
had taken from it's rolls.
At u o'clock the house suspended one
of the hardest fights of the session to pay
this tribute to the member whom all
loved.
Representative Hall, from Bibb county.
moved that the rules be suspended to per-
nit the widow and family of the de-
ceased to occupy seats on the floor of the
house. He moved further that commit
tee of three be appointed to escort these
to the hall, and was himself named the