The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1918-07-26
The Man of the Hour, and Why

William j. Harris was born in Ce'
dartown, Polk county, Georgia, Feb
ruary 8, 1868 He was educated in
the common schools of Polk county
and the University of Georgia, teach
ing school during the summer to pro-
vide means for his college training.
In 1895, he married Miss Julia Vince
Ter, daughter of Gen. Joseph Wheeler,
the distinguished Southern cavalry
leader. Mr.. Harris has three brothers
now serving in the United States
Army, Gen. p G. Harris, Maj. Seals
Harris and Capt. Hunter Harris. Many
young men have been beneaciaries
of Mr.. Harris aid in obtaining an edu-
cation to equip them for life's work.
Political Service.
AS Chairman of the Polk County
Democratic Executive Committee, he
succeeded in establishing the white
primary" in 1892.
AS private secretary to Senator A.
S. Clay, and under the training of this
distinguished Georgian, Mr.. Harris be
gan, in early lie, to look after the
interests in Washington of Georgians
from every section.
In 1912 Mr. Harris managed Presi-
dent Wilson's first campaign in Geor'
gia; was elected chairman of the
State Democratic Executive Commit
tee, and played prominent part in roll
ing up the largest majority Georgia
ever gave a candidate for President.
Mr.. Harris represented the 3Sth dis.
trict in the state senate in 1911-12, and
there worked and voted for every
measure that would help the farmers
and benefit the taxpayers of the state
Some Of these include:
Cd Mr.. Harris introduced and aid
ed in the passage of the bill abolish
ing the unlimited fees Of oil inspec
tors. and fixing their maximum salary
at 500 per month. This law has
saved the state thousands of dollars
In 1917 alone, it saved the state net
$1S2,5SS.
S2) Mr.. Harris introduced and pass
ed the bill requiring lobbyists to reg
lister, thereby eliminating the grating
professional lobbyist, and protecting
legislation.
(S) Mr.. Harris advocated the sepa
rate leasing of the w. & A. Railroad
from the other state property in Chat
tanoOka, q policy since adopted by the
"Lease Commission"
90 Personally, Mr.. Harris has al
ways been a consistent prohibitionsst
and has always supported all measures
looking to freeing the state from the
liquor traffic.
National Service.
A. director of the United States Cen
Hus. TO which he was appointed BY
President Wilson, officials today say
that Mr.. Harris was the most efficient
director since the bureau was estab
lished. The chief criticism agains'
his administration. made by Judge
Hughes. Republican nominee for Presi
dent. was that he appointed so many
GeoraIa Democrats to positions In thu
department.
President Wilson appointed Mr.. Har
ris acting secretary Of commerce. II
the absence of Secretary Redfield, anC
cordially approved his services and yet
aciency as q temporary member OF the
cabinet
Under Republican rule the Wal
street gamblers were permitted to keel
down the price Of cotton by including
in the census estimate the number o
bales OF linters cotton. Mr. Harris haE
the linters estimate separated IRON
the regular cotton reports, which re
duced the estimates and tended t
raino the price of cotton. During Re
publican rule, 1t was freely charged