The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1907-1917, 1913-05-15

crossings must be gradually DESTROYED
under the direction and supervision
OF the Railroad Commission. The
SAD death Of Miss DuBOse, occurring
at one of these crossings on the
western and Atlantic road, is but
anOther instance of the daily occur
ing circumstances showing the mon
StrOus and meaSureless destruction
OF human life at grade CROSSINGS.
Hon. G.. r. McCrory, of Schlev
county, struck the key note in his
suggestion to have the State publish
the text books used in commons
schools, and sell them to the children
OF the State at the cost of publica-
ton. | sincerely trust that he will
receive hearty support in his efforts
in this direction. When the Supreme
Court reporter owned the copyright
OF the reports of that court, he pub
l1shed them and sold the books to
the lawyers Of the State at about
$500 per volume. The LEGISLATURE
made change and provided for the
publication Of these reports by the
State, and they now cost on an aver
age of $3.50 per volume. If the
State is willing to thus protect the
lawyers, why shouldn't we provide
similar protection for the school
children?
The present registration law needs
to be amended SO that when a voter
is once registered he will have the
privilege of voting as long as his
taxes are paid. Permanent registra-
ton Of voters is almost imperative.
10
ant time in passing local laws. If
we 90 not hold a constitutional con-
vention and provide for a remedy
for this defect, we should amend the
constitution and authorize the Secre-
tary Of State to charter municipal
corporations in the manner that rail
way and banking corporations are
now chartered. The Grand Jury
could recommend local legislation,
and the Ordinary could be empow-
cred to call elections and let the peo-
pie ratify or reject proposed local
legislation. These elections might be
held at the regular general elections.
The volume Of Georgia laws for 1912
contains 1908 pages, and only 1876
OF these pages carry laws Of State
wide Importance. The remaining
1,532 pages are exclusively devoted
to local matters. If the valuable
time of the Legislature could be de-
voted to the consideration Of laws
having uniform operation through
out the State, and not hindered by
these local questions, we could then
have biennial sessions. For this
splendid suggestion I am indebted
to Judge G. B. Conyers, of the
Brunswick circuit.
The Military Murder Act Of Au-
gust 18th, 1912, must be repealed.
The military power of the State
should never be supreme to the civil
power. Had it not been for the Act
OF 1912, the Augusta massacre would
not have occurred. [ am not putting
any blame on Governor Brown, and
think that the labor leaders made
a mistake in doing so. Labor should
Lame the law and not the Governor
whose sworn duty is to enforce all
laws. The Military Murder
Act is not Joe Brown legislation, but
belongs to that effulgent category of
HOke Smithism. AS a friend of the
labor interests, l would respectfully
suggest that they direct attention to
the end that this law be repealed,
and not criticise the Governor who
did nothing but the plain letter of
his sworn duty
strongly favor letting down the
pension gap to all of the old Confed-
crate veterans of the State These