Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-08-15
The People of Georgia
Should Watch and Think

When a railway corporation which is notorious
for political stratagems and spoils and which is
obviously bent upon ruling or running the Western
and Atlantic Road has three candidates running
for three offices OF vital import to the State it is
time for the people of Georgia 10 watch and
think.
trusted attorney of this corporatiDa is now
a candidate for Governor.
A dependable ally of this corporation is now
candidate for Comptroller General.
A willing friend of this corporation is now
candidate for Railroad Commissioner.
OF all the ambitious schemes ever spun by
commercial Bourbonism this is the most audacious
and far-reaching; for it aims at the states ex-
executive power through the Governorship the
States taxing power through the Comptroller
Generaship and the States rate-hxing power over
railroads through a Railroad Commissionership.
With these three Offices in charge of its own faith
full servants this corporation would hold the in
terests of Georgia in the hollow of its itching
palm Its plans to parallel the Western and At
Iantic Railroad would go glibly forward. It's
fight against the extension of the Western and
Atlantic to the would be reinforced in high
places. Its fixed purpose to dominate or else de-
stroy the States most valuable property would be
heartened as never before. 1t could throw off its
mask and freely resume its natural attitude-'the
public be damned!
corporation has relied for political power, mostly
upon free passes-of which it distributed some
twenty-three thousand in a single year-and upon
minor influences, such jurors, inferior court
Judges legislative candidates and ordinary lobby
lists. But its stake in Georgia at this time is es-
pecally great; wherefore it needs a higher order
of assistance. 1t is playing for piece OF railroad
property which is now owned by the people, which
is worth today between sixteen and twenty mil
lion dollars and will be worth incomparably more
if duly protected and developed which is the bed
rock of the States credit resources and main
stay of its public school fund-a priceless heritage
of the Commonwealth. Bent upon exploiting such
treasure is it to wondered that this corporation
can be satisfied with nothing less than the Gov
ernorship, the Comptroller Generalship and
Railroad Commissonershp?
It was grievously offended when the Legislature
passed the anti-paraelling act. 1t has challenged
the consttutionality of the law, which is designed
simply to safeguard the interests of the public
against the greed of private privilege; and having
failed in the courts, it has turned to gubernatorial
politics For our part, we have no criticism
whatever of any employe agent of this corpora
ton who works openly and candidly in its behalf.
Its counsel it's representatives and its friends
have an unquestionable right to render profess
sional service and draw professional pay. But
When one of its counsel is put into the race
for Governor when of its allies is put into the
race for Comptroller General, when of its
friends is put into the race for a seat on the Rail-
road Commission, it is time indeed for the people
of Georgia to take serious thought. :,
Shall the Western and Atlantic Railroad be
preserved as the peoples possession, or delivered
to the special interests that covet it?
Shall the laws enacted to protect this great
property be administered by a Governor who be-
Iieves in them. or by one who employed to
defeat them?
Shall the Comptrollership be left in the hands
of an official who through thirty-eight years of
competent service has stood unfinchingly for the
rights of the State shall this responsible office
be turned over to the candidate of law-defying
corporation?
Shall Georgia remain a self-governing Com
monwealth or shall it become the gull and prey
of railroad that despises public opinion, that
mocks the law of State and nation alike, that
browbeats where it cannot bride, and sticks dog
gedly to the old order when corrupt business AMI
corrupt politics went hand in hand?
One need only turn to the records of federal
inquiries into the affairs of this corporation to
find evidence of its political activities in other
Southern States. And one need only glance at the
current campaign in this State to that the
same corporation is subtly and ambitiously at
work in Georgia Do the people realize the game
that is afoot? Do they grasp the full significance
of the interests and the principles at stake? 1t
behooves Them for their own welfare, to think
carefully, watch keenly, and search we'll the
motives and alliances of all candidates who seek
their suffrage