Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-07-21

question is considered entirely from standpoint
of railway mileage, apart from the number OF
trains and their schedules it appears that the
average short-line distance from each county seat
TO Atlanta is 1926 miles, while the average short
line distance from each county seat to Macon is
1I67I miles. Thus the difference in favor OF
Macon is less than twenty miles, difference which
is far overbalanced by the greater number and the
more convenient schedules of Atlanta railway
facilities.
Yet because of this trivial and really meaning
less difference of nineteen and fraction miles, the
real estate promoters of Macon are seeking TO
change the Constitution to sacrifice capitol which
cost a million dollars thirty years ago and which
could not be duplicated today for twice that
amount; are seeking to burden the State with
stupendous debt at time when our schools and
charities crying vainly for the bare necessities
of subsistence are seeking to rend the State into
bitter factions at time when concord and patriot
ism are most needed; are seeking to override COM
mon Justice and common sense merely to crafty
a childish within and boost a scheme for selling
land.
These enterprising gentlemen contend that the
present capitol is inadequate to its purpose, that
more room is needed to house the various govern
mental departments Does a farmer have to move
to another county merely to enlarge his barn?
Does a home-owner have to move to another town
merely TO Dullu a sleeping pOTCn. Inc present
capitol is admittedly the handsomest in the South,
with the possible exception of that of Texas; and,
with minor expenditures, it can be made fully
adequate to the States needs for long decades to
come Yet simply because they want the capitol
themselves, these ambitious promoters would have
the State virtually throw away building which is
priceless for its present uses, but which for other
purposes would be of little or no value
They talk vaguely of a bond issue by Macon
and Bibb county to meet part of the cost OF new
capitol-after the removal scheme has been put
through. These gentlemen are very strong on
futures But they are very weak on facts and re-
sponsibiIities They beam and babble at the fancy
of having a capitol all their own, but they ignore
the fact that the State now faces deficit of two
hundred thousand dollars brought over from last
wear: the fact that the miserly salaries of our
public school teachers being paid with bor-
rcwed money; the fact that our district agricul-
turol schools crippled and, in some instances,
we'll nigh crushed for lack of funds the fact that
the State sanitarium for the insane has become an
outrage upon humanity for lack of adequate quar-
ters the fact that every State institution and every
State interest is begging for due support with no
prospect of receiving it.
Yet in the face of these crucial needs comes
cotere of smiling self-interesed promoters asking
the State to incur an additional debt that their
Uhim NAV be satisfied and their ambitious design
go forward.
This proposal is not only uncaled for; in the
circumstances, it is preposterous Bound as they
are to uphold common rights against special priv
ileges the members of the Legislature in reason
and Justice cannot approve a scheme which is so
hagrantly unreasonable and unjust They should
speak so decisivey that the foolish and hurtful
agitation which Macon interests have prolonged
will cease once and for all.
Now and then the Italians remind us that they