The Brunswick news. [volume] (Brunswick, Ga.) 1906-2016, 1911-02-25
ABLE ADDRESS
BY GOV. SMITH
GIVES HIS APPROVAL TO THE
MOVE AND PROMISES HIS
SUPPORT.
Other interesting Addresses Were
Made BY Prominent Men Who Are
interested in Movement to Have a
Drainage Law Passed in Georgia.

Bearing with it the unanimous ap-
proval of one of the most represen-
tative gatherings ever held in south
east Georgia, the drainage law pro-
posed for Georgia was adopted at the
morning session of the Georgia
Drainage congress here yesterday.
The law is almost duplicate Of the
drainage law in North Carolina, and
although a general law is optional
the legislative committee. through
Judge ]. L. Sweat, chairman, reported
the bill, recommending at the same
time that the present Georgia law,
which so far as adequate drainage
is concerned, is no law, be repealed
excepting the law passed for Chatham
county The law that will be agitat-
ed in the state was drafted by Judge
j. l.. Sweat, l.. R. Atkins and R. d.
Meader, and contains forty sections
The principal address of the con-
vention was made by S. w. McCallie,
state geologist, and Gov.-elect Hoke
Smith. The meeting was called to or
der by the president, Hon. Geo. W..
Deem of Waycross. On behalf of the
city of Brunswick, Hon. E. C. Butts,
mayor, extended a cordial welcome.
The response was by President Deem.
The report of the legislative commit
tee was then rendered by Judge Sweat
Foil lxx,o hu r., Il
Akin, former senator from this dis
trict He told of his efforts to secure
= drainage law for Georgia, and said
he was ready to continue his work
along this line, feeling that the state
would profit greatly by such law.
In his address on swamp lands in
Georgia the state geologist said that
IL the swamps and overflowed lands
were reclaimed the state would re-
ceive in taxes $675. 200, instead of $13,-
500. the amount paid last year on the
swamp lands in Georgia. He dealt
with the subject from a health stand
point also, showing how death statis-
tics had been lowered in states where
swamps had heen drained and put into
a nigh state of cultivation.
Governor Speaks.
Governor-elect Hoke Smith placed
himself squarely in favor of careful
II prepared drainage law, stating
that from what he had. learned Of the
proposition it appealed to him as a
wise measure, and one that would
prove of vast benefit to the state.
Hs was introduced by President
been. who referred to him as a man
who would honor the nation as stand
ard bearer for the democrats in the
S<sext election, and one whom the ma.
tion. would honor. :.
Mr.. Smith divided his address into
ethree divisions. First be spoke OF
tho increased value of the two and
q half miiiion acres of swamp land
''ln Georgia that would follow drain
age. Second. the improvement in
health conditions for all the drained
area, and the surrounding country.
Third, the resulting betterment to
the entire state from such improve
ments. both in land values and health
fulness.
Il stand ready to approve any care
fully prepared Till on drainage that
the legislature will send to me-" said
he, "and will assist you in every man.
ner possible in your work" He ad-
vised unity in the campaign for this
drainage law, and ventured the pre-
diction that If the Legislators and SEN
ators of the southeastern portion get
together and work for the law. no
trouble will be experienced in getting
the law
In his remarks of the agricultural
possibilities of Georgia, which he re-
ferred to as the greatest state in the
Union, Gov Smith said that within
the last ten years the people in this
state were just beginning to practice
what George Washington advocated
when he was president. I'm deter
mined that Georgia shall do her part
in this agricultural movement" said
he, "and this summer ! will urge that
the agricultural college at Athens
gather information of all kinds OF
crops in every county of Georgia and
send same out in Bulletins Free SC
that all of our people can secure cor
rect information of what can be done