Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-08-16

The people of Georgia are fortunate
in having the opportunity to re-elect as a
member of their state railroad commits
sion a man of such seasoned ability and
sterling character as Judge George Hill
yer. 1t was Judge Hillyer's5 personal
wish to resume private life at the eA-
piration of his present term, in order
that he might spend upon his individual
interests a measure of the care and en-
ergy' he has devoted to his public trust.
There were the call of study and fire
side and human relationships and the
natural desire, felt. perhaps, by every
man who has toiled steadily In public
affairs, to crown "a life of labor with an
age of ease" But when his intention OF
retirement became known letters and
personal appeals from citizens in every
part of the state filled his mail, urging
that he stand for reelection. a thou
sand or more of such communications
have reached him. They are from men
familiar with his work and who gauge
accordingly his value to the state. 1t
was this widespread and earnest insist
ence that finally persuaded him to be-
come a candidate to succeed himself in
the office of railroad commissioner.
These are the circumstances in which
his name will appear on the ballots OF
the Democratic primary, August the
l.
friends who are responsible for his be-
ing there are determined that he shall
win by even a larger majority than the
people accorded him four years ago. 1t
is they who are issuing this statement
of his record, without his request or
suggestion.
Certain it is that no man whose rec
ord is less clear or whose character is
less assured than are Judge Hillyer's
should be permitted to succeed him in
this vitality responsible office. There
is, perhaps, no post of public duty in the
state that carries with 1t such large
moral and business responsibilities as
those of the railroad commission. There
is nothing outwardly SNOWY to this Of
flee; it's labors are those of the work
shop, where quiet skill and patience and
insight and. above all, trustworthiness,
are required. But it bears directly upon
the commerce and industry of the en-
tire commonwealth ands indirectly at
least, upon the welfare of every citizen
and every home.
Have you ever considered the prov
ince of your state railroad commission
and reflected upon what its doings mean
to you, as a merchant manufacturer,
a commercial traveller, an investor,
farmer, a worlzingman. or as a citizen
in any business pursuit? The members
of this commission have jurisdiction
over all the railroads. the street rail-
ways, the telegraph and telephone COM
panies, the electric light and gas compa-
MES. and over all other public service cor
porations within the state. These insti--
tutions touch present day life at thou
sand vital points. Upon them the mer
chant depends for the shipment of his
goods. and the prices he must charge
the consumers are. in no small measure,
determined by the rates they exact.
Upon them the general public depends
for it's travel and also for its business
and social communication. Scores of
cities and hundreds Of thousands of peo-
pie depend upon these public service
companies for their light and partly, at
least, for their fuel. They are the ar
teries of trade. If they are conducted
justly. they are blessings to everyones
but, if unjustly, there is scarcely shop
keeper or a household within the Dor
ders Of the state that will not suffer
somehow as a consequence.
1t is because Judge George Hill