Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-07-21
The Capital NJ oUamg
Scheme

Macon, or, truly speaking, a group of special
interests in Macon, have been trying for years to
trump up sentiment for the removal OF the State
capitol. Inspired solely by dreams of self-advan-
tage and arily ignoring the broader questions in
volved. they have urged one Legislature after
another TO recommend Constitutional amendment
to this effect; and Legislature after another
has refused TO do so. With the kindliest feeling
toward our Macon friends, we submit that this
needless and harmful agitation should cease.
Georgia cannot grow and prosper with envy and
strife No Georgia city can upbuild its own well
= fare by seeking TO injure its neghbOrs. We live
in a Commonwealth, not in mass or warning
provinces; and it is only by working together for
the general good that the lasting fortunes of any
community be advanced.
In proposing to change the States fundamental
law and to burden the States treasury with mil
lions of added expense. the Macon interests offer
no sembIance of reason except the wholly illogical
one that their city is than Atlanta to the
States geographical center. II there any
merit in such a plea, the capital of the United
States should not be at Washington, but somewhere
west of the Mississippi; the capital of Canada
should not be- at Ottawa, but somewhere along the
Arctic circle; the capital of the British Empire
should not be at London, but somewhere in mid
ocean; and the county seat of Bibb county should
not be at Macon. but hard by the froggy banks of
TobesOfkee creek.
geographical center counts for nothing in this
respect unless it is also center of population and
industry and commerce. and is peculiarly accessi-
BILE from every arc and segment of the circle Thus
compared with Atlanta a capital site, Macon
shows no advantage. But it shows many disad-
vantage.
II is not as near the center of the States white
population as Atlanta is as near the center of
the popular vote.
u
paying wealth.
Its accessibility as regards railway communi-
cation cannot compare with Atlantas.
Figures compiled by the American Audit Com
pany from recognized authorities show that the
population north of Macon is 1,42S,69S, and south
of Macon 1,1SO, 423 leaving majority of nearly
a quarter of a million north of the capital-coveting
city More significant is the fact that the white
population north of Macon is S7O,314, while the
white population south of Macon is 561,4SS Still
more significant is the fact that the white pOpula-
ton north of Grifin-only forty-three miles from
Atlantis 7T4.991. while the white population
south of Griffin is 656.S11.
We are aware of course, that the enterprising
real estate promoters who are bent upon moving
the capital to Macon means of boosting their
land values are not concerned with figures and
facts They care nothing for logic and justice. if
they can get the loaves and fishes. They moth
ing for the cost to the State, if they can put
through their own pet deal. But hardly
imagine the General Assembly of Georgia stamping
its approval upon this scheme when there
1880 more white residents north of Griffin than
south of Griffin. and sos .226 white residents
north of Macon than south of Macon. We
hardly imagine the General Assembly representing
as il does the interests of the State, sane
tioning the removal OF the capital, at enormous
sacrifice and expense to a point which is not
near the center of Georgias taxpayers and voters
as the present capital is.
There are I,542, 461 cotton spndles north of
Griffin. which is only forty-three miles from At
Ianta. as compared with $780, 46 spndles south of
Griffin These figures are significant in that they
show the approximate center of the States indus
trial investments to be far nearer to Atlanta than
to Macon Cotton manufacturing is. perhaps, the
most broadly representative of all industries.
Ordinarily. we grant, there would be no logical
relation between the question of cotton mills and
the question of a capital: but nasmuch as the
Macon interests rest their claim wholly on that
cftys central location it is pertinent to inquire
Central I'm what respect? Certainly not regards
population: certainly not as regards industrial
activity: certainly not regards railway service
and accommodation.
Atlanta has forty-four through trains daily;
Macon has eighteen.
Atlanta has ninety local trains daily Macon
has ffty-eight
AZ Atlanta one hundred and thirty-one trains
arrive and depart between five O'Clock in the morn
ing and eleven O'Clock at night; at Macon only
fftv-one ENTHUSIASTICALLY less than half the
Atlanta number-arrive and depart between those
hours.
As regards railway facilities and schedules,
therefore. the removal of the capitol to Macon
would make the capitol far less accessible to the
majority OF the people than it now is. Even IL the