The Marietta journal. (Marietta, Ga.) 1918-1944, 1919-07-04

Atlanta. Ga.-The people of the state
OF Georgia will finally settle, one way
or the other, at the next general election
the capitol removal issue.
1t is to be definitely determined at that
time whether the capitol is to remain
In Atlanta and the necessary improve
ments and engagements are to be made
here, or an adequate and fitting new
capitol building and governors mansion
are to be provided in Macon in the cen
ter OF the state.
The Georgia Legislature at this ses-
sion will pass a bill, not as a great
many people have seemed to believe 10
move the capitol" but to submit the
question to a vote of the people for their
determination.
A canvass OF the state, county by coun-
ty. has lust been completed and 1t is
found that. generally speaking, tne pSop nE
and the statesmen are OF one mina on
the subject: they are in accord WIN
the opinion expressed by Governor Dor
sey some months ago That the con.imI
issue" has become a bar and handicap
ON the states business In more ways
than one, and the time has come 20
''end the agitation by putting IT up TO
the people to render final verdict at the
ballot box, and bring the thing to
close. x4A n,,so.
who will support the measure this year
10 submit the issue to vote OF the PEG,
Die, and who, when 1t is submitted, VIII
stand firmly in opposition 70 Tefn H.,s+ oi
Among them are some who wWl return
to their homes and. in the campaign pc,
fore the people on the. direct ISSUE vi" ~
but they frankly occupy the position OF
desiring the issue brought to It's ilna 1
end at the earliest possible Tune, am
other as well as no more proper or
conclusive, manner of ending It.
Law Says People Must Vote
In no few localities in the state 1t
has been found the belief exists mat the
location of the state capitol is fixed by
the state constitution. In other local.
ties - though these have been found 10
be but few there is entertained some
idea that the state legislature tb mas cam me
toll, and has passed upon the question:
Neither idea is correct: .. so.o
The sole authority for future deter-
after the adoption of the convention or
dinance has been by vote OF the peo-
gle of the state.
NJ both branches of the 1880 Legis-
iature, representing both facuonsIthos
DESTROYS OF placing the. capitol IN tne
to any change from the present location
have announced themselves in favor
and support Of the provision made by lhe
constitutional convention e tssI ns state ad
rninistration, that the issue is one Whlch
must be speedily brought to a CONCLUSION;
and they stand for making the reau nne
legal arrangements 10 reach lnA' 1oh
State-wide political issues ordinarily
60 directly to the people, with hnitoi any
This issue, however, is not OF tne or or
binary variety Its final settlement can
come through no other legal means 1s, tnan
ture submitting 1t to a popular vote.
That government founded on the con-
sent Of those governed is the only firm
and substantial kind.
Why the Issue Needs 20 Be Settled
For ten years there has been constant
" growing an agitation Tor remoNa1 OF
the the c seats e Of Georgia At the time
its origin IL was treated lightly. and
ten years ago was probably not an Is
Dnmsnt in that space of time OF the
wouderful wilderness and wild land south
arn portion OF Georgia into the greatest
tSmng t5 5canfS aTH such
tus to the desire for central Iocatlon
OF the state government that IT attained
the scope OF big and broad state o Issue Ssnt
resentatives OF majority OF me coun-
ties IN the state committed themselves
not to a movement TO remove the capl-
proposition that thie issue Is OF sucI
eise and Importance It must be passeo
upon and determined by the voting pop
uiation of Georgia as a Whoie
The magnitude which it has, or al
ready had at that time, reached manifest
cd itself several years ago in the Geor-
sfa Legislature when efforts were MACS
10 make disposition of the old and dl-
iMpidated house used since 1879 as
"governor's mansion% a piece Of prop
erty acquired by the state from Mr.
John H James. Of Atlanta, at cost
in that day of il0o, COG worth OF seven
axnovaI" prevented action then on tht
ground that the people must settle the
Issue by vote first
Subsequently or about three years ago
efforts were made in the Legislature ia
have the state purchase from the Jack
son estate real estate in 1uxtapos1ton Il
the present capitol property, for thu
purpose of erecting an annex buildinA
h order that the present building. then
overfIowing. might be relieved 10 som'
extent of the pressure upon It's increas
ing inadequacy That effort met N;
same fate Capitol removal prevented
action until the people should be allowed
to vote on the issue,
The effort to negotiate sale OF tiiS
present mansion property and purchas
more suitable property upon which l;
erect a new mansion suffered the sans
Experiences. They all have been blocked
by the capitol removal issue
Must Have More Room
Nearly three years ago Governor Har-
Fta on hts own responsibility, ana IN or.
der to make room in the state capleo
for the new members Of the state court
a appeals rented, IN the name Of thI
state, and at very substantial rental
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