The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1907-1917, 1914-07-30
Would You Like To Read the
Editorial Which Changed the
History OF Georgia ?

paper.
While its tune has changed, the names on
the paper and the name of the paper are
much the same.
On the said 4th Of April 1909, the follow
ing editorial appeared in double-column-
Governor Hoke Smith being then our 'pres-
ent reform administration" with Guyt Nc
Lendon and Warner Hill acting as cogs in one
of the most principallist Wheels
Now wipe your eyes, or your specs, and
read the editorial aforesaid:
PERFORMANCE OR CONFESSION!
There remains but little more than two and a
half months of existence for the present State
reform administration.
This administration is possessed of a railroad
commission of it's own making; it has a railroad
and corporation regulation law of powers of it's
own creation; no power is lacking to it in this
direction, at least, which it could wish or DESIRE
With this two and half months or more it
mas the time, added to the power, in which to
redeem, or, at least to undertake to redeem the
pledges which it made to the people of Georgia.
unfortunately, up to this time, achievement
has been in direction Numerically opposite to
these pledges-in the direction of freight rate
INCREASES rather than REDUCTIONS.
Now, in all good faith, as matter of simple
fairness to the people of the State hasn't the
time arrived when the administration should do
one of two things
REDEEM THOSE PLEDGES
Make manly confession that they were CON-
CEIVED AND PROMULGATED FOR POLITICAL
BUNCOMBE?
There is middle ground; the people are
clearly and justly entitled to one course of action
or the other.
What were these promises In the main
briefly, they were:
1. The saving of 100000 a year in excess
sive freight charges, figured out almost to a cent.
2. The enactment of port rates. with their
attendant reductions.
3. The removal of unjust freight rate discrimi-
nations and inequalities
f. Freight rate and public service charge
reduction all along the line
5. That all the railroads operating in the State
should be brought to State charter basis by
putting them on the block, if necessary and sell
ing them to companies organized under the Geor-
gia laws.
These things were promised, the unquestioned
power was acquired and yet IN NO SINGLE
INSTANCE HAS FULFIILNENT FOLLOWED.
Two months and a half remain; surely the
administration will not let it be said that it
made effort struck blow toward the redemp-
ton of it's promises
The power is not lacking; the Governor him.
self admits it's existence. In an interview given
only few days ago to The New York Times,
Governor Smith asserts the existence of this
power in almost the same sentence in which he
practically admits that there has been NO USE
MADE OF 1T in the redemption of campaign
pledges
Here is what he says:
'"The stories that have been sent out from the
State about drastic railroad and corporation legis
lation have been greatly exaggerated. Our railroad
legislation has consisted of amendment to the
railroad commission bill, giving to the commission
general supervision over public service compa-
MES, and substantially the same authority the
New York law gives to the public service COM
mission of this State
If the power exists to do things promised
surely it is pertinent to ask, without
approval why they have not been done, since