Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-07-18

expire until July. 1912. after the next
session Of the legislature has convened
The responsibility of not aiding you in
such political uses Of judgeships. etc. is
further assumed by me
1 cannot concur in the implied propo-
sition that your presence here as gov
ernor is essential TO Georgias welfare.
You manifestly did not think so when
you did your utmost to achieve the sen
atorship. 1 believe that your departure
would place the helm of state in the
hands OF a trusted. experienced, able
and unselfsh Georgian.
I further do not wish to encourage
the precedent of dual office-holding. No
one citizen possesses such undue gifts
that he must hold two commissions OF
the people at the same time Other
statehOuse officers NAV follow this ex-
ample. and exercise their powers or pat
ronage 10 the impairment of the public
service. 1t is contrary to the spirit OF
the constitution of our state, expressed
in many ways.
In conclusion. allow me to repeat
that at no time in a decade has full
representation in the United States
senate been more necessary for Geor-
gia than at present. I was defeated
and my position on the tremendous
Of food and OF clothing will be de-
tails are OF a later date. The prices
questions now pending will not have
the roree or a senator whose creden-
termined for many a year by the bills
now pending. The cost of blankets
may be brought within the range OF
the purses OF the poor. The greatest
opportunities ever afforded a senator
to benefit his country now await you
unfair to my people. but would be
you might order me TO vacate my seal
at your pleasure. To do so. would be
servile, and I could not command the
respect OF fellow-senators. in the alb
sence Of self-respect.
You state in your letter: The most
recent case in point is that Of Senator
Purcell, Of South Dakota, who con-
tinued TO serve for several months
after the election OF Senator Cronna
who was at that time a member OF
the house"
Let US correct this statement so as tc
accord with the facts: Senator Gronns
Dakota-not South Dakota-on January
is, 1911, TO lcceed Senator Purcell. who
held under appointment by the governor,
Senator Gronna was duly sworn in as
senator February 2. 1911. So your 'seve-
eral months have dwindled under the
facts TO ten days. which time was prob
ably necessary to transmit his credentials
from North Dakota to Washington and
for Mr.. Gronna to arrange TO be sworn
in as senatorial most this was not an
unreasonable time.
Colorado is the only state having one
senator, and he is Senator Guggenheim
The copper interests produced discord in
the legislature Of that state and 1t adj
journed without electing a senator. VIII
you. to further political plans. or to suit
your personal convenience. abandon your
seat in the senate at this time? II you
do. and this general assembly adjourns
without electing a senator who win serve
sound lawyers contend that a vacancy
viii exist. and that another election must
be held at the next session of the legis-
lature before thes tate can be represented
with two senator's. VIII you take this
chance OF thus jeopardizing the states
interests?
My resignation is with you. and is IT.
revocahle. You nor i can place the re-
spensiblIity of your conduct. The people
viii do that Respectfully,
JOSEPH NJ. TERRELL.