Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-09-25
BOTH WATSON PAPERS
SUSPEND PUBLICATION
ThomaSon Editor Quits Fight
for Mail Privileges for
JefferSonian and Guard

Thomas E Watson has given up HIS
fight 10 compel the government 10 trans
port his publications at second class
mail rates. and both the Jeffersonian
and the Thomson Guard. his papers. have
suspended publication.
Announcement 20 this effect was made
in Atlanta Saturday afternoon by J.
Gordon Jones. one OF Watson's attor-
news and one OF his close friends.
The second class mail privilege was
several weeks ago denied TO The Jeffer-
sonian because the government con-
strued Watson's vicious criticisms of
the Administrations conduct OF the war.
and his attacks on the validity OF the
seIective service law as being seditious
and absolutely contrary 10 the best in
terests OF the government and the coun-
try.
watson sought redress in the federal
court, but Judge Emory Speer sustain
ed the government After this watson's
attorneys went 10 Washington and APP
psaied 70 the attorney general. but their
appeal was IN vain. About this time
watson followed up his attacks on the
government Several days ago The
Guard was cited 10 show cause why It
should not be denied second class mail
ing PRIVILEGES
The next step was the announcement
Of Mr.. Jones. which is taken to mean
that Watson realizes the futility OF any
further litigation with 'the government
The statement Of Mr.. Jones follows:
The case brought for The Jefferso-
man Publishing company. 10 enjoin the
postmaster at Thomson TO compel him
&c receive and forward through the
mails The Weekly Jeffersonian. whion
Was decided adversely 10 the plaintiff
by Judge Emory Speer. August 20. will
not be appealed to the higher courts.
4 FOREGONE CONCLUSION.
The exclusion from the mails OF
The Jefersonian was a foregone conclu>
sion The postmaster general. no doubt.
had made up his mind in that case be-
fore any notice was given the publish
ers.
we could 60 through the supreme
court with the case. and win. but while
the case is pending the paper could not
be sent to its many thousands Of bona
fide subscribers. Therefore. the whole
scheme to bar II from the mails would
be effective. and that Is the end sought
bv the postorfice department at Wash
ington-
We gracefully bow and submit TO
the authority, both Of Postmaster Cen
eral Burleson and the courts order, and
suspend for the time any further pro-
Cee0lnEE To- TelnSLANe paper anu "
reverse the lower court in its decree,
rendered on the interlocutory hearing.
1T is not and never was the purpose
OF Thomas E. Watson TO interfere with
or in any way TO obstruct the policies
Of the government Mr.. Watson.
through The Jeffersonian. took the po-
sition that IL the conscript act or the
espionage act was unconstitutional. the
question should be decided by the
courts OF the land He never advised
or counseled opposition 10 any Of the
laws Of the government Mr.. Watson
has kept within his constitutional
rights. going no further than asking
for a test case to settle the constitu-
tionality OF certain laws.
NO APPEAL OF CASE
The Jeffsrsonian being denied the
second-clas mailing privileges destroys
IL. causes thousands Of dollars OF dam
age. However. there will be no appeal
OF the case and so far as the case con-
Germs the publication Of The Jefferson
ian il is closed"
Watson's determination to suspend
publication OF the Guard is announced
in the current issue. dated September
20. in a statement to which the name
Of his son. ]. d. Watson. is appended.
After defending the course of Wat
son, the statement concludes:
He. therefore. submits TO the newt
able. This must necessarily be the last
issue OF the Guard. unless the govern
rnent decides otherwise"