Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1917-09-05
GEORGIA STATESMEN.

The Thimasville Times Enterprise,
Walton Tribune and Milledgeville News
are engaged in a lively dispute as to
whether there is even one statesman
in the Georgia legislature.
Would you go to the Georgia legis-
lature to discover a statesman? asked
the Times Enterprise.
Not unless we were darned hard
up" replies the Walton News.
Then says the Milledgeyille News:
IF such a state of affairs actually ex-
listed, the people of Georgia would
! feel disgraced for having elected such
men as comprise the legislature Of
this state"
The legislature of every state is I'M
deservedly made common object of
public censure, ridicule and criticism.
In any body of two hundred and
thirty-two men it is impossible to con-
centrate the entire attention of each
man on the business in hand. In a
ministerial convention of that size,
there are always some who are frivo-
jIous, uninterested, incompetent to dis
charge the duties before them. So. it
is in a gathering of fraternal orde dele
gates or mass meeting devoted to the
public welfare,
% it is with the legislature
Yet there are in the Georgia legisla-
ture scores of men who are Jealous in
the performance of their work, who
apply themselves to it during the fifty
day session with diligence and intelli-
ence And while they may not be ora
tosr who can can reach up into the
starry heavens and stir the planets
with their eloquence, nor are they men
whose names are writ large on the
scroll of fame, still they are men,
nevertheless, who measure up sub
stantially to what the dictionary says
is a statesman.
"a statesman" says Webster, is a
man versed in public affairs and in the
principles of government, especially
one eminent for political abilities; one
influential in shaping the policies OF
u government"
Not always do the counties elect the
men best qualified for legislative ses-
vice,
Personal prejudices and partisan
ships count to such a great degree in
these elections everywhese in Georgia
that the ablest men seldom offer them
selves, because they are most infre-
lquently the popular men. In conse-
quence, these are members of both the
Senate and the House who are incap-
able of rendering the state any service
OF benefit. They attend, answer the
, roll-call every day, draw their per
diem, trade votes, and never open their
mouths. If they do rise to speak. they
first wag their tars, bray loudly, and
generally end in standing on their
hind-legs.
But there are statesmen in the Geor-
gia Legislature Holder, Burwell, Seab
Wright, Garland, Jones, Nath Gull
pepper, Conger, Pace, Turner, Joe Hill
Hall, Olive, holwender, and Heath all
measure up the qualifications.
A1phie VI tHSIi may DS pOlltICdl MI
crobes. Some may engage in detest-
able and nefarious political activities.
Some may not be personally popular
with the people. But in the literal ae-
ceptation of the term, they are states
men.
The trouble is, we have exaggerated
our idea of statesman, we have come
to suppose that a statesman should
wear a rakish black belt, should wear
a low collar and a black bow-tfe
should attire himself in frock coat
, should speak in stentorian voice and
discuss the tariff, the income tax and
othes abstruse issues. and shouIr