Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1922-08-26
THE COUNTRY HOME
BY MRS. w. H. FELTON,

their men in position to hold mat
ters in statu-quo, and there were
quite few in the senate, perhaps a
number in the house.
The rank and file were willing to
correct some glazing evils, but whe1l-
ever they attempted to vote an evil
down, the "big interest men" began
to filibuster, and the tinid were so
scared and the grafters so bold that
they were run down and overcome,
by threats of whal would happen to
them in the coming primary election.
Those who brought success in re-
form legislation in years past and
gone, expected to be criticised for
doing their duty from those who
had their hands up to their arm
pits in the public treasury. Nobody
+ expects to secure success without
being prosecuted by those who are
consuming and wasting tax money.
Every man who has sense enough to
go to the legislature knows very well
he will be "held up" by the bandits
who are looting the states strong
box. A legislator who is afraid that
he will offend one of his neighbors
who is drawing a salary, and doing
nothing to earn the salary, Is not fit
to be a representative.
The state of Georgia is swarming
with people on the pay roll of the
state who are drawing money that
it is impossible for them to earn
rightfully. These deadheads are
good to re-elect candidates for high
position by 1oud-mouthed accusa'
tons against those who have ex
posed their graft and who are brave
enough to say the state should re
lieve itself of these sap-suckers who
draw the salaries and can show alb
solutely nothing in service.
The time Is ripe when these alb
sorbers Of the hard-earned money OF
the people of this state should be
permitted to earn an honest living
in their own bailiwicks-or fare
worse as no-account people-gener'
ally,
There was time in Georgia when
the Convict lease ring" not only
absorbed all the revenues of
the state, but filled all the highest
offices in the state and nation. There
was a time when graft-managed
legislature adjourned, calling for the
sale of the w. & A. r. r. for S.
100000. But Georgia had some
bracve men, and both # these gangs
were overcome by men who had
courage to defend the state. It is
=" pleasant task to be abused and
villified because you must call a
spade a spade, to keep the spades
from undermining the industries
and prosperity CT Georgia.
1t was a sorry sight to see the
men who had done nothing for forty.
odd days, gallivanting on free rail
road trains, eating and drinking for
several days without charge in the
cities of Brunswick and Savannah
consuming the money of the pro
gress1ve people who were seeking tC
make friends for those port termi
nails, and then going back to At
lanta to do nothing for either city
and laugh over what they saw and
what they ate and especially what
they drank at public expense with
out any apology for their lack Of
common courtesy. Those who went
on these frolics should have bee,
those who meant to vote the states
money to help them.
And those who had plain common
sense, and who realized the states
inability to vote a dollar because
there was no way to pay the run
ming expenses of the state govern
ment, should have remained in At
lanta and spent their time in look
ing over the comptrollers published
report, where the terrible record is
shown where the tax money of the
people is wasted on thousands OF
people who are burden to the com
monwealth.
1t looks like Georgia is degenerate.
There seems to be nothing in sight
that would show sufficient intellect
and patriotism to handle these mat.
ters.