Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-08-09
HOOPER ALEXANDER TELLS WHY
HE ASKS PEOPLES SUFFRAGE

the rates 10 ana from our ports are puI-
posely fixed on so extortionate basis
as to force all this commerce over the
more distant routes. A different and wiser
policy would make Savannah. Brunswick
and st. Mary's rival ports to Baltimore
and Philadelphia.
ROAD SHOULD BE EXTENDED.
No greater reflection exists upon our
craftsmanship than the fact that, with
our magnificent ports and advantageous
situation. sufficient TO make Georgia the
richest state in the union, we are per-
fshing with hamilton. The coming or
the canal is a challenge TO all the best
that is in US. For 10 years have
patiently labored to focus public atten-
ton on the vast possibilities that lie
before US in this road II we have the
courage to use them. Public attention
has been enlisted. The Instructive wis
dom Of the common people, always the
hope Of nations. and always greater
than that OF their rulers. is focused on
this truth. II 1 an elected governor
shall spend the year that precedes my
inauguration developing this great
thought before the state, and after that
1 shall constantly press upon the legis-
lature the undertaking Of this great en-
terprise.
The necessary limitations upon
platform forbid me to enlarge further
on this topic, but must add this, that
the extension Of this road is necessary
for its protection as a valuable piece OF
property.
ABSORPTION OF WATER POWERS.
A kindred subject lies in the present
state of the development Of our water
powers. Associated capital is always
far-sighted. and the gravest perils
threaten our future ION account OF the
rapid absorption Of these vast sources
of future wealth by spectators, not for
the purpose of their development, but
for the purpose of preventing their de-
velopment in O4der for the creation of
monopolies.
1 have observed the progress of this
evil a long time with the gravest appre-
tensions 1 am sure that all laws
allowing the condemnation of these
powers by private capital should be at
once repealed and earnest and imme-
date inquiry set up as to- the best
method for preserving these vast
potential sources Of natural wealth for
the common good of our own people
and Of all our people. Present indica-
tions point to the early coming Of
struggle between this state and asso-
ciated capital over the question whether
ried on wires across our borders for the
enrichment Of other people. II we neg
lect proper precautions now, the danger
Gus tendencies of the federal judiciary
will develop to our grievous hurt in this
matter as they have in others.
REGISTRATION LAWS.
The matter OF our election machinery
and laws demands attention. The sug-
gestion timidly put forward by Mr.. Sla-
ton in vague impersonal fashion through
his publicity bureau, that the registra-
ton should be permanent, and that the
voter should be automatically registered
each year on payment Of his taxes is
good. What a pity his customary eau
ton should have restrained him from the
holder course Of coming out frankly and
saying plainly and directly that he favors
such a plan. I favor 1t. I have favored
II for q long time and II elected 1 shall
press it upon the legislature. But one
caution must be observed Such a law
should be so written as to facilitate reg
istration by the honest voter, but IT
should carefully safeguard the lists and
there should be no letting down of the
strict barriers now standing against the
registration OF knaves. In particular,
no man should be registered for a gen.
eral election unless he had paid his taxes
as the constitution requires. The law
should be framed by the friends Of the
disfranehisement amendment and not by
its enemies.
ELECTION EXPENSES SHOULD BE
REGULATED.
The matter Of election expense de-
mands stern treatment. No candidate for
office should be allowed to spend in his
race, directly or indirectly. more than
half the first years salary of the Office
he seeks. The scale Of expenditure that
has rapidly increased during the past
few years amounts to a public scandal,
and IL the people OF this state submit
to IL they viii deserve sto lose as they
surely Will lose their liberties; the hold
ing Of Office win decline to a mere mat
ter Of purchase and all honorable am
ton be shut of from aspiring youth.
In the present contest that sort of
extravaganza is in progress, and call
upon the people to indicate their resent
ment of it at the ballot box
POLITICAL ADVERTISING.
The spread OF this moral leprosy has
reached such a point that it is at this
time the avowed ethical standard Of the
majority OF the newspapers that their
columns are available for the spread of
news concerning political issues in which
the whole people are vitality concerned
only upon the condition of payments on
such doctrines. The payment of only
the public from knowledge of the is
sues. A moments reflection ought to
stir the indignation of the state against
such doctorines. The payment Of only
800 TO each weekly paper in the state
would mean $4,000 cost to a candidate,
and the cost of access to the daily press
would alone exhaust the resources of any
ordinary man.
The specious argument that the pa
pers can not afford to print news for
a candidate and should not be expected
to do so. is an evasion OF the issue. The
papers purport TO serve their readers. and
the wrong Is as much to the readers as
to the candidate. II the newspapers are
not willing to print for a man they
ought not TO assail him. The Savannah
News which prints what 1t pleases |
against me and ascribes interviews and
sentiments to me which I never uttered,
will give its readers no. reply Of mine ex-
cept at so much per inch. Today many
of the papers have largely ceased to be |
purveyors Of news and fair moulders OF
public thought, and have become mere
partisons whose columns are too often
bought for money under the specious