Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-06-25
Burwell's Speech
Marks House Opening.

MARKS house opening.
Promptly at 10 o'clock Secretary
Boifeuinet called the House to order.
Prayer was offered by the Rev John
f. White. Of the Second Baptist
Church, chaplain Of the House. This
was followed by the administering Of
the oath 70 each member by Chief
Justice W II. Fish
A large crowd witnessed the open
ing Of the 50-day session, The gal
leries were filled
Long before the opening hour the
House chamber was filled with a
good -humored crowd Of Legislators.
with the speakership settled by the
withdrawal Of Sheppard and Harde-
man. members Of the House found
themselves devoid Of anything to
cause excitement For a few minutes
the lobbyists forgot their lobbying
and the only thing 20 indicate that It
was a political gathering was the So
Letting OF votes Of the various can
didates for the smaller offices.
Standing Room Only.
BY 1880 o'clock standing room in
the House was at a premium. Every
seat was taken, while the crowd lined
the walls.
During the administering of the
oath the lobbyists returned to their
natural state. and the buttonholing
began again
Election OF William H. Burwell of
Hancock County. as Speaker Of the
House was somewhat quiet affair
No name was offered in opposition,
while score OF Representatives were
on their feet to second his nomination
by l.. r. Akin. OF Glenn County. a.
Speaker Harris, Of Washington. J,
j. Slade ~ MusCogee, Shelby NY
rick. Of Chatham. and Adams, Of
Hall were the first men TO spring to
their feet.
Burwel Without Opposition.
The roll call showed 40 votes for
BurWen Temporary Chairman BOi-
feuiliet appointed Burwelrs three ri
walls for the Speakership TO escort him
to the rostrum They were Harde-
man Fullbright and Sheppard.
Great applause greeted their pro-
cedure down the hall with him The
appointment Of his rivals as an es-
cort caused a ripple Of merriment to
pass around the House
Applause greeted Speaker Bur
wells address throughout
Minter WimbeTly. of Bib, placed
in nomination John r. Boifeuillet as
Clerk OF the House, referring TO him
as the Golden hearted gentleman
from Bibb.' and the "handsomest man
in Georgia" For fifteen minutes
members Of the House INDUCED in
the making of complimentary speech
es extolling the virtues and manyl
pulchritude Of Boilfeuillet whose in
innate friends affectionately call him
John Bullyfoot" and who has been
Clerk of the House since the memory
Of man runneth not to the contrary
No name was offered in opposition to
Boifeuillet
Tax Reform Urged.
Burwell, in assuming the Speaker
ship urged tax reforms, saying
among other things:
There are, with me. no scars 10 heal
or enemies 10 puiish and I sincerely
trust that you can and will reciprocate
the feelings OF sincere personal regard
ana friendship that ] entertain for every
member Of this House
For the past several years since the
limitation OF mills was wisely placed
upon the taxing power OF the General
Assembly appropriations have been
from time TO Time increased beyond
the revenues Of the State until to-day
we find deficit in our State Treasury
which the honor and integrity of the
State demands We should correct
ITO do this, and TO do 1t wisely. will
require our best thought and highest
patriotism. In it's consideration We
should on the one hand keep IN mind
the demands and needs OF the State
and her various institutions. and with
liberal justice provide for all. in order
that the dignity Of the State may be
nj h1F FV,sH Ht..,,
protected and developed but on the
other hand. can nut beg you re-
member the present condition Of our
people
Taxes High Enough.
Let me assure you ] ann no pessim-
list and / fully realize and appreciate
that Georgia is rich AMI prosperous in
sources more varied nerhaps than any
Of her sister States, and that her basic
credit is well founded and established
Is manifest fact to all in close touch
with our constituency that the crop
conditions OF the past two years have
placed unusual burdens upon our peo-
pie and there is no business or interest
IN Georgia, whether farmer. merchant
banker, manufacturer. laborer or man
Of the professions, which has not felt its
serious consequences
Therefore, TO lay additional burdens
upon our people a. this time viii be
disastrous and unWise and ] sincerely
luz bAaN li4 tAtN latl$ Tor l4iN teucIt
in the treasury You will fud other
means than that OF Increase in the varf-
Gus taxes OF the state
I'VE Will be called upon 10 correct the
present evils iH our taxing system. a
system which is now So antiquated. In
many instances SOD IradPguare and so
st and 10 correct these evils in such
manner as will equalize the burdens OF
taxation and adjust the present iuegul-
ties and inequalities az our law. offers
to us the highest opportunity for the
exercise 81 wise craftsmanship and real
service 10 the State