Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-05-17
.HARDW|CK ASSA|LS
PEONACE CHARGES
BY JACK L, PATTERSON

MDONOUGH, Ga, May IA
Speaking to five thousand people in
! this city today at the celebration of
Henry county's one hundredth birth
day, Governor-elect Thomas w. Hard
wick fired a broad-side at what he
designated Infamous SANDER" of
Georgia and Georgians by one high
in office that evidently had the ap-
prevail of a number of newspapers
While he mentioned no names it was
apparent that the governor-elect had
reference to a pamphlet recently is
sued by Governor Hugh M. Dorsey
| charging that negroes are being cru
ely treated by the farmers of this
state.
Seated near the governor-el was
Judge William E. II. Searcy, Jr., of
lenged Governor Dorsey to submit
proof in substantiation of charges
| that he made in connection with
cases tried in Epson county. The
| crowd, many of whom had read the
controversy between the governor
and Judge Searcy, published in the
| state newspapers, understood that
reference was made to the alleged
'135 cases." many of which, the
| speaker charged, were exaggerated.
|
| only making passing mention of this
outrage today, but in few weeks
| l shall make official answer to this
vile SANDER of the great state of
! Georgia and it's splendid citizenry.
| intend Omake particular answer to
| these charges of peonage and other
| miStreatments of the negro. 1 brand
as SANDER the newspaper statements
which have been circulated and which
| blacken Georgia's name.
| hot hn
: criminals in Georgia. There may
be few isolated cases of mistreat-
ment of negroes in this county, but
l have heard of none. Nowhere have
negroes been more terribly mistreat-
ed than in the city from whence these
charges came and of which L am a
| resident. There are criminals in New
York and Ohio and in Fulton coun-
ty, but [ am tired of all this bunk.
What good ensues if a whole state
is slandered because of the unlaw-
! full actions of few of its citizens
Let us not befoul our own nest.
Since this campaign started, ev-
erything which has been said has
been anonymous. If there are any
actual charges of peonage and MUIR
der they should be made openly and
fairly considered; all the facts should
| be presented in the courts and not
| in the newspapers.
Il wish to commend that able and
! conscientious jurist who sits just
here, Judge Searcy, of the Flint cir
cult, whom you all known to be a
capable and honest official. | de-
sire to commend the courts and So
licitors generals of Georgia and to
declare that this attack on them is
unjustified.'
Governor-elect Hardwick also COM
plimented the people of Henry coun-
ty upon their independence and their
| knowledge that the country should
| be governed from the people up
and not from the officers down. -
said he. Henry always rings true.
Henry county is typical of the en-
tire south; always to be found on
the front lines in every battle. 1 am
| glad to address a citiZenry which al
ways. rings true to every test of
Amerfcanism and I ask your support
in my administration of the office
of governor, the duties of which
| shall soon assume under the realiza-
ton that a great responsibility rests
upon me. I shall attempt to abolish
many foolish boards, believing with
| Patrick Henry that the people the
| least governed are the best gov
erned."
The governor-elect was introduced
| briefly but eloquently by E. L.
Reagan, prominent young attorney,
who referred to the record of the
! speaker as member of the state leg
! iSlature, of the national house of rep
resentatives and the United States
senate. He predicted for him a bril-
! liant administration as governor.
!