Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-07-24

Inc mouse and senate were called
from the legislative grind Friday to
hold joint session at which a mum
Der Of speakers paid tribute to the
memory of the late United States
Senator Thomas r. Watson.
The exercises were held in the hall
Of the house Of representatives and
crowded. Major q. f. McGregor.
state pension commissioner, pre-.
sided and speeches We're delivered by
Colonel JOHN T. Boifeuillet, of Ma
con, member of the public service
commission; Governor Walker,
United States Senators William j.
Harris and Walter F. George, S.
Guyt McLendor secretary OF state;
Samuel L. Olive, of Augusta, and
Judge James j. F'lynt, of Griffin,
both former presidents Of the state
senate.
Commissioner Boifeuillet opened
the exercises by reading the resolu-
TOMS adopted by a joint committee
of the house and senate, on the death
of Senator Watson. These resolutions
described the late senator as an I'm.
firing champion of the common peo-
pie, as patriotic Georgian, and dis
,tinguished American. a brilliant and
versatile author, and a lawyer of
irresistible eloquence.
Struggle for Education
whenever the chief progress and
prosperity of Georgia was threat
ened," said the resolution, Mr.. Wat
son took up the cudget and fought
vigorously and fearlessly for his ma
tive state. He stood always for state
sovereignty and individual liberty.
All classes recognized his superiority
as an orator, and his eloquence
armed him with marvellous power.
He was a dominant political power
and his influence reached far and
wide in every campaign in which
he participated"
/ Mr.. Boifeuillet told Of the struggle
Mr.. Watson made to obtain an edu-
cation, and no whe combatted f1nan-
cial misfortunes to attend Mercer
university for two years and then
gain admittance to the bar, and how
he had to be credited for, the loan of
91U IOE Ills dunI1LldHCS ICOs
The joint committees resolution
concluded with the statement that
on the death of Senator Watson
humanity lost an unwaVering friend.
The suggestion was made by the
committee that a statute of the
late senator be erected in the state
capitol with funds to be raised by
| popular subscription.
Governor Walker Speaks
BY q rising vote the joint session
| Of the assembly adopted the com
mittees report and ordered it placed
on the permanent annals of the leg
| iSlature.
Governor Walker, the next speak
er, introduced by Chairman McGreg-
or. approved the suggestion for a
| permanent memorial to Mr.. Watson
and expressed the belief that the
! late stateman's friends over the
state would be successful in their
efforts to erect it.
Through the years" the COVER
nor declared, Mr.. Watson stood
squarely for the interest of the plain
people. He never hesitated to speak
out and heap criticism where he
thought it belonged. [ heartily ap
prove the suggestion to erect a suit
able monument to his memory
While many of us differed with hin
at times politically and in civic mat
ters, still large element in Georgia
which always followed him devoted
ly should have the right to perpetu
ate his memory in such manner as
they see fit"
Secretary of State McLendOn was
introduced by Major McGregor as
"a man whom Tom Watson loved
although they differed politically
Mr.. McLendon paid a high tribute
Ito the life work of the late senator
and declared Georgia would never
have another man who would bf
able to hold such firm grip on the
common people.
Patrick Henry never loved liber
ty any better than Tom Watson
did" said Mr.. McLendon, "anC
Thomas Jefferson never hated ty
ranny any worse than Tom Watson
did. Mr.. Watson held a grip on the
very being of countless thousand;
in Georgia and elsewhere, and the
reason was because he never failed
to defend the weak and the op
pressed"
Samuel L. Olive, of Augusta, for
mer president of the state senate
was introduced as Mr.. Watson's con
f1dential attorney.
"This is Tom Watson day." sale
Mr.. Olive, mot only here, but il
the hearts of countless thousands
who loved Tom Watson, who follow
ed his every lead, and who worship
ped his memory. 1t is fitting tina
we pause today to pay tribute t
this most wonderful man. He wa!
the most remarkable of all Geor
gians, and his memory will Away:
live.
1.-The reason Tom Watson was no
understood by many of us was be
cause he moved in a realm of genius
He lowered above all his fellow citi
zens, and his ability in all lines ha:
never been questioned and nevel
will be. His friends and followers
are to be congratulated for settins
out to erect suitable memorial tt
him.
From the moment he entered the
United States senate, Senator Wat
son became leader" declared Sena
=. tor William j. Harris, who was his
colleagu at the time Senator Wat
son died.
His great knowledge Of history