The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1921-06-14
THE TAX PAYERS
OF GEORGIA WILL
NOT STAND FOR 1T

The Times is in receipt OF a copy Of
proposed amendment to the Consti-
tuition of Georgia, which is so outra-
geous in its provisions that it is hard
to conceive that any reputable repre-
sentative should be willing to intro
| duce it in the Legislature, either
branch; but they will, for all men dc
not see alike and it is we'll that we do
not.
This proposed amendment provides
for the creation of commission (and
heaven knows that already we have
too many of them) to be known as
the Hydro Electric Power Commits
Sion," with authority, by and with the
approval of the Governor to incur debt
in the name of the state, for the pur-
pose of purchasing, leasing or con-
structing, operating and maintaining
public utilities, such as water works,
street railways and plants for the
generation, transmission, distribution
and sale of electric or other light, heat
and power, and transmission lines, or
other means for the transmission, dis
tribution and sale of light, heat and
power however generated.
1t is proposed to amend section 8,
article 7, of the constitution by adding
the following words, namely:
Paragraph E. Provided that the
General Assembly may by law create
a Commission to be known as the
Hydro Electric Power Commission of
Georgia and authorize said Commits
sion to purchase by condemnation or
negotiation, lease or construct, and
maintain and operate public utilities
such as water works, street railways
plants for the generation, transmits
sion and sale of electric or other light
heat and power and transmission lines
or other means for the distribution
and sale of light, heat and power
however generated, and for this pur-
pose the General Assembly may au-
thorize said Commission by and with
the approval of the Governor of the
State to incur debt in the name of the
State, said debt or debts so incurred
to be for such sums and, if secured,
to be secured after such manner and
to be paid principal and interest at
such times and such places and from
such sources and upon such terms as
the General Assembly may prescribe.
When the loyal and patriotic sons
of Georgia had thrown off the carpet
bag regime that afflicted and burden
ed the state after the close of the war,
led by such men as Gen. Robt Toombs
and many others of the states wisest
and best men, a convention assembled
in Atlanta 1877 and framed a consti-
tuition noted for the wisdom of its pro-
visions, especially those safeguarding
the people against burdensome and
unjust taxation. These men had borne
and groaned under the burdens of tax
alton put upon them by ignorant, vic
ious and corrupt officials as few peo-
pie ever before had borne. They knew
what licensed corruption could do,
what it had done from 1865 to 1875
and they determined to safeguard
their children for all times against I'M
scrupulous men and unnecessary debt
by providing against it and ENGRAVING
these provisions, in the fundamental
laws of the state.
This constitution has stood the test
of nearly the half of a century ard
under its wise provisions Georgia has
prospered as few other states have
prospered. Let us continue in the path
that their wisdom, directed by expert
ence, chose for us: We know that it
is safe.-Editorial from Carroll Coun-
ty Times, June 2, 1o2l.-adv.