Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-06-28
THE GOVERNORS MESSAGE.

HE GOT ERINCK > MEOOAOE.
Governor Browns message to the General Assem-
bly, contains number of recommendations which are
practical and praiseworhy; it contains others from
which. we believe, majority Of GeOrgians will en-
phaticaIly dissent
On such constructive measures as the reclamation
OF swamp lands the survey of Soils the establishment
Of a state highway commission, the strengthening of
insurance laws and the development of educational
interests most good citizens think alike The COVER
nor has done WELL however. to urge these needs upon
the legislature with particular emphasis He has
sented them cOnvncnglx and it is to be hoped that
his timely suggestions win be followed
His attack upon the railroad commission law and
the registration law not new nor is it supported
by any new argument The fact is these issues. if
issues they may stiH be called have been thoroughly
threshed out long ago and settled the satisfaction
Of the people.
No department OF the peoples business is more i'm
pOrtant than that which has to do with the relation
ships between public and the public service cor
porations This is a matter that involves millions
Of dollars every year and touches the daily interests
Of the merchant the manufacturer the investor and,
in one way or another the interests of practically
every citizen and every home in the commonwealth.
1t was to safeguard these interests that the
railroad commission was enlarged and was given
more definite authority. It's increased power en-
tailed new duties and made essential the service OF
every one of its added members. AS a commission
which stands justice between the public and
the public service corporations and which impartiay
protects the right Of each and looks to the pros
perty Of both it should be conserved. not weakened
in its efficiency.
The present registration law is part and parcel
Of that progressive measure broadly known the
pure election law 1t is designed to give full potency
TO the honest voters ballot to make primaries
and elections truly expressive of the peoples WILL to
make our governms really popular by making it
clean at its very source II it be stringent that is
only to its credit. for any law dealing with theft
and corruption must be unequivocal if in any wise
it is to serve its purpose Naturally and rightly it
is stringent regards the floating corruptible
ement that drifts like the polls on election
days. for that very reason is emnently liberal
to good citizenship provides that the registration
books shall be opened each autumn concurrently with
the tax books. and that they shall remain open
until within months Of general election Thus
every voter is given ample opportunity to qualify
himself for the rightful exercise of suffrage Under
would have to be some time fixed for the closing of
the registration books The existing law only leaves
time enough for an adequate purging of the lists A
man who neglects to register within six months es
peciaIly since the has become universally known
in the state would in all likelihood fail to do so even
though he were given the entire twelve in which
to do so.
This statute is open, perhaps. to certain con
structive notifications. but they should be made
by its friends not its enemies and they should be
made with a view toward strengthening. not weak
ening it. Pure elections and especially pure prima
ries. are at the very base Of good government We
do not believe that the people Of Georgia will ever
cOuntenance any step that would tend to make their
primary and election methods less scrupuous On the
contrary. they demand that they be rendered even
more against dishonest and debasng influences
The electorate of this state would. indeed welcome
Law. if such is possible. requiring the adoption
OF the Australian ballot system at every poll in every
county But the suggested repeal OF the registration
law is a look in the reverse direction look back
ward. toward old evils and outgroWn tyrannies with
which people have done forever.
AS We said in the outset, however, this proposal
Is not and it is supported by no new arguments
Indeed. it may be considered as closed question
and we have abundant faith that progressive Iegs
lature will keep il such
Viewed in its entirety, the Governors message
carries much that is commendable The General AS
sembly, it is to be hoped will remember the good
and forget the bad