Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-09-27
CORRESPONDENCE ON
.VEAzEY LAW GIVEN
OUT BY GOVERNOR
Takes Steps to AIIay Religi-
Gus Intolerance and Preju-
dice-Letters From Sa-
vannah Solicitor Published

Governor Thomas w. Hardwick,
Monday morning, moved to allay "a
spirit of intolerance and religious
prejudice in Georgia" by making pub
lie the text Of correspondence he has
had with Walter c. Hartridge, So
hcitor general of the Savannah ju-
dicial circuit, concerning the en-
forcement of the Veazey law, provid-
ing for the inspection of sanitariums,
hospitals, Houses Of Good Shepherd,
converts, onasteries and the like,
that are maintained by private in
dividuals, churches, corporations or
charitable associations.
The governor, it appears from the
CORE pondence, has been engaged for
a week or more in milling the
data made public Monday morning,
admittedly in the hope of relieving
people throughout the state Of a mis-
apprehension under which many of
them have labored.
II believe it is <propitious time
to publish the correspondence I have
had with Solicitor General Hartridge
about the inspection Of private hos
pitfalls, converts and other institu-
tons Of like character.% said Gov
ernor Hardwick. ''Mr. Hartridge's
splendid letter is calculated to cor
rect e. false impression that exists
in the minds of many people, and
help to allay prejudice and intoler-
ance."
Ten days ago, Governor Hardwick
received from H. H. Edwards. OF
Ball Ground, Cherokee county, a let
ter inquiring what steps had been
Catholic institutions where women
are locked up"
Immediately upon his return to At
lanta, Governor Hardwick, under date
Of September 20, wrote Mr.. Edwards,
stating that even prior to his inaugu-
ration as governor he had taken up
with Senator Thomas e. Watson, au-
thor Of the Veazey law, the subject
Of It's amendment.
'In reply to my inquiry" writes
the governor, Senator Watson stated
the Veazey law already had been
amended so as to make it practicable
and workable, and the only trouble
about it was that he feared 1t was
not being enforced. particularly in
Savannah. He suggested that I take
up the subject Of its enforcement
with the solicitor general Of the Sa-
vai,nah judicial circuit"
After looking further into the sub
ject, and in compliance with Sena-
tor watson's suggestion. Governor
Hardwick took up the subject OF the
laws enforcement with Solicitor Gen.
eral Hartridge, at Savannah. and I'M
der date of September 20 he received
letter from Mr.. Hartridge, which
completed the file Of correspondence
made public Monday.
Governors Letter
Governor Hardwick's letter to Mr..
Edwards follows:
Mr.. H. e. Edwards, Ball Ground, Ga.
Dear Mr.. Edwards: Absence from
the city has prevented my earlier re-
ply to your letter Of the 18th instant.
Please excuse the delay.
Replying to your letter, I am very
glad to answer the inquiry therein
contained. On every stump in Geor-
gia, during my recent campaign, /
pledged myself, first, to the amend
ment Of the Weary law, IL any fur.
Their amendment was necessary in or
der to promote it's efficiency. Second,
to rigid enforcement Of that law.
"On the first proposition, beg to
say that prior to my Inauguration as
governor, took up the subject of
whether the law in question re-
quired any amendment in order to
strengthen it, with Senator Watson.
I did so for the reason that Senator
Watson was the author Of the Weary
law and of the amendment thereto.
In reply to my written inquiry on
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