Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1914-03-28
ev JAMES 3. NEvIN.

The last Thursday and Friday In
each month are given over In the
Capital to the consideration OF Glenn
ency hearings. upon which occasions
the Governor opens wide the doors Of
the executive department TO all sorts
and conditions Of persons black and
white, asking for relief for convicted
prisoners.
There IL no other line Of work con-
nected with the Governorship that
takes SO much OF the executives time
as these clemency matters. And the
personal hearings are, really. the
smallest features OF the business, too.
Frequently the Governor takes
home with him late in the afternoon
great patches Of records, petitions
and exhibits bearing upon this, that
or the other clemency petition. and
sits far into the night trying 10 seek
out the truth.
had n Governor who took the matter
OF his clemency prerogative--which
Is entirely arbitrary--to heart more
than the present executive.
Governor Slaton has remarked, time
and again, that nothing else gives
him so much real concern or taxes his
patience and intelligence so heavily.
Jealous Of the strict administration Of
the law on the one hand and OF an
exceptionally kind hearted disposition
on the other, Governor Slaton finds
that matters involving clemency vex
and fret him out Of all proportion to
his other work.
Yesterday and again to-day, the
executive department has been pack
ed and jammed with people anxious
10 see the Governor on matters con-
corning pardons, communications Or
extremely Ignorant, and have to be
listened TO with great patience and
forbearance. II often happens,
therefore, that an hour or more Of
good time Is taken up In a hearing
from which nothing possibly can
come, yet which can not. in all kind
ness and consideration, be cut short
or avoided.
The last Thursday and Friday in
the month are the busiest and most
trying days OF all for the Governor =
and they will continue to be, so long
as the present executive Is In office,
Judge ]. II. Mclaughlin. otherwise
and more affectionately known as
Daddy the most popular and best
beloved man in Meriwether County,
Is coming to the State Senate from
the Thlrty-sixth District next year,
and without opposition--of course!
Daddy" Mclaughlin has represent
ed his county time and again IN the
l.la a most
acceptably TO his constituents. He
knows the people OF Merlwether.
knows exactly how they think and
how they want their representatives
In the Legislature to vote-and he
votes that way.
His word is as good ais his bond, all
the time and In all circumstances
Senator william Stanley West Is
expected 20 arrive In Atlanta Satur-
day, and conference between him.
self and Governor Slaton Is by no
means unlikely for that afternoon.
Senator West has been looked upon
In some quarters a possible candi-
date for Senator Bacon's unexpired
term, and he may run. However, he
has not stated what he will do,
II is understood that when he was
given his present temporary appoint
ment there were mo strings tied TO
tat the same time. II is known
that he and Governor Slaton are Arm
friends, and that there will be no
conflict Of ambitions between them.
Senator West IL vice chairman Of
the State Democratic Executive Com
mittee, and will attend the forthcom-
ing session OF that body which takes
place In the state Capitol on April 4.