Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1914-05-31

ored the development or the entlfe
State without regard to locality.
The State of Georgia and her scho il
children are to-day millions of dollars
poorer because of tn geographical
patriotism" of Messrs. Hardwick c
Fielder.
Mr.. Fielder led, with Mr.. Hardwick
as lieutenant, the filibuster which es-
tablished the old Union depot in At
lanta-property of the State as the
lasting monument to ruinous and mar
row prejudices. The majority of the
members of the house, anxious that
the states property be improved and
thereby increased in value, were anx-
ious to accept on terms that would |
have protected the State against ex-
pense or loss improvements worth
millions and which would have given
the State a permanent monopoly OF
terminal facilities. Those improve
ments went elsewhere, thanks to the
sectional prejudice of these two gen.
tlemen.
And when the road is released four
years hence, the practical result of
their fight will be made manifest by
the loss of revenue that will be caus-
ed by the Gripping and well-nigh de-
'struction of the State roads terminal /
facilities in. Atlanta. They probably
helped Atlanta but they did great in
justice to the State.
Discusses The Primary Rules.
They attack me on the score. of the
rules adopted by the State Commit
tee. They cannot produce one com
mitteeman of whom l asked personal
favor or political advantage. The
rules, in truth, give tremendous ad-
vantage to my opponents. The com
mittee is not my committee and II
would not have insulted it's member
ship by attempting to direct it. To
those who consulted me, l gave the
opinion that the committee was bound
to follow the unit rule in accordance
with the platform on which l was
elected Governor.
But they exclaim that someone else
fought the unit rule. Of that know
nothing. No one was authorized to
act for me and none did act for me-
could as easily charge Mr.. Hardwick
with double dealing because his CHIEF
political lieutenant and former cam
paIgn manager fought for the unit
rule as adopted, which rule Mr.. Hard
wick, backed by Mr.. Felders newspa-
per organ, is now denouncing.
The Unit rule served Mr.. Hardwick
we'll when it enabled him to displace
Hon. VIM. B. Fleming, who had d
large majority of the popular vote.
Heretofore he has been loyal to the
ladder upon which he rose, for his
district committee has regularly re-
enacted the rule to govern tenth dis
trict primaries.
I agree with them that the present
rules are not perfect. Nothing human
is. The application of the unit rule
should be such as to prevent the pos
sibility of conventions, rather than
the voters, determining nomination.
This can best be done by having sec
ond primaries.
Defends The Tax Act.
In sheer desperation my opponents
have tried to discredit my advocacy
of the tax act passed by the present
legislature
I am proud of my part in that leg
islation. 1t is not perfect. But it
comes nearer lifting the burdens Of
taxes from the poor mans shoulders,
where it has chiefly rested, and plac-
ing it on the backs of those able to
stand it, than any legislation recently
passed in Georgia. AS with any bust
ness change, time must be given it.
moderate interval, for full results.
If you do not begin sometime you will
never redeem Georgia.