Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-07-19
.SIDELIGHTS
ION POLITICS
BY JAMES B. NENIN.

That the first contested appoint
ment coming up for Governor Sla-
tons consideration should have been
decided in favor of a Hoke Smith man
to use that ancient and honorable
term in differentiating him from the
other variety in Georgia-may be ac-
cepted, in all probability, as the first
bit of evidence that Governor Slaton
meant exactly what he said when he
stated that he hoped to be, and would
try to be, a Governor not of any fac
ton in Georgia, but of all the people.
The Governor on Friday appointed
Miller S. Bell, of Milledgeville, trus-
tee of the Georgia Normal and In
dustrtal School, situated there, not
withstanding the fact that Mr.. Ball
has been an adherent of the Smith
fractional end of Georgia politics In
the past rather than Of the Brown
end.
There is no question whatever about
the entire fitness of Mr. Bell for the
position. Governor Slaton might have
searched the State for months and
not found a better man for the as
signment
These places on the boards of trus-
tees of the State institutions-par-
tcularly the Georgia Normal and In
dustrtal School-are considered posi-
tons of great honor and trust and are
conferred upon the very best men
that may be found. For that reason,
while they are not sought with that
degree of fervor characterizing the
usual effort for office they rarely are
declined, and frequently there are
warm contests for the same.
Mr.. Bell. a Smith man, was ag-
excessively backed by other Smith
men before Governor Slaton. His
opponent, good man of the Brown
persuasion, was pressed quite as ag-
excessively by Other Brown men.
The Governor, in this his first con-
tested case, thought the Smith man
the better fitted, for one reason and
another, for the position, and the ap-
pointment was made accordingly.
And that looks like a fair and
square beginning in the line of letting
fitness and not faction control in the
executive office under the new Gov
ernor
Il WISH" said Speaker Burwell to-
day, Il had one thousand pages
Jobs to give out
There are so many worthy and
splendid young boys who come to
me for appointments, and the num-
Der of appointments l have is so
small that it is a continuous matter
of embarrassment and regret to me
that l am unable to crafty the very
great majority of applicants.
THE pages of the House are main
ly young fellows, and the experience
they get during the sessions is very
useful and we'll worth while to them.
| wish l could give every boy who
I cannot do that"
Senator Mcneil, of Bibb County,
is a very graceful speaker, and one
of the substantial men of the Sen
ate.
Not only that, he also is one of
the best dressed men in either
House. He effects very light cloth
ing, both as to texture and color, and
always looks as fresh and cool as
one possibly may in such sizzling
weather as that of late.
IF l could keep as cool as Nc
Neil always looks" said Senator
Parrish to-day, q would be mighty
happy tell you. But l fear no man
can be as cool nowadays as Nc
Neil seems to be eternally."
Governor Slaton was a very busy
man all day Friday.
During his day or so absence in
Brunswick, a very heavy mail piled
up in the executive office, which
mad to be disposed of yesterday
The Governor is more or less
methodical and always trieB-ani
usually succeeds-to get to-day's
mail answered and put in charge of
Uncle Sam" to-day.
The proposed creation of the grand
young county of Warner to be
whacked out of Talbot, Meriwether
and Harris, has moved the poets of
that vicinity Il do their very worst.
Judge Henri" Revill, editor of The
Meriwether indicator, is very We
hemently opposed to the new county