Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1923-12-15
TheLegiislature

Cliff Walkers bi dior a second
term as Governor of georgia went
glimmering last night when the Leg
islature adjourned after 81 days Of
endless argument and little ac-
complished
The extra session was called to
do three things-repeal the tax
equalization law; pass an. income
tax and give the children of the
State free school books. All of
these met with failure.
The session never had a chance
of accomplishing anything. Its call
was political move and was so
recognized by every member of the
assembly whose unbi&qed Judgment
would permit of fair opinion.
Walkers lack of leadership; his
subserviency to the orders of Gus
Howard and the khan; his inability
to make up his own mind and stay
put" over night; these with others
forecast failure.
Walker entered the fight with
what appeared to be majority in
the House and Senate favoring an
income tax and repeal of the tax
equalization law.
His vacillation soon lost him
whatever chance for leadership he
had at the beginning. w. G. SUIT
live, representative from Chatham,
associate editor of the Savannah
Press, wrote his paper this week
In the house on Tuesday when
it was announced the Governor
was to soon appear with a special
message for the General Assem-
bly, there was a short discussion
relative to his reception. There
was such an air of Indifference
incident to the visit that Fermor
Barrett of Stephens, an old and
experienced legislator, made
short address on the subject He
said 1t was not only a matter of
common decency that the Cover
nor be given a respectful recep-
tlOn, Pay respect to the Cover
nor's office at least was his adj
vice. And when the Governor
came in accompanied by a COM
mittee OF representatives and sem
ators ne was given a fine hand"
cordial greeting and close
nearing. The General Assembly
also applauded when His Excel
lency retired.
This little excursion of the cover
nor has cost the State close to one
hundred thousand dollars. How
ever, that is of little Importance as
compared with what might have
been.
As the days dragged on, Walker
begged and pleaded for anything"
any kind Of law, to justify him.
self for having thrown the State
into this turmoil and strife without
reason whatsoever, for in our
opinion, there never was an emery
ency sufficient to justify the call.
Had the Legislature followed the
demands made by the Governor
during the last few days, there is
no telling what kind of tax bill
they might have passed.
The people of Georgia do not
want an income tax. The trouble.
expense and time required in max
ing out federal income taxes has
so disguised business men with in
come as method of taxation. that
ITS unpopularity is almost universal.
The people do not want their
laws dictated from the Imperial
Palace out on Peachtree Road and
they do not want a klansman for
Governor.
The people do not want the adj
ditional burden of so-called free
school books. Already the State
is in debt. Its pension rolls are an
enormous expense and its various
bureaus and departments are
squandering hundreds Of thousands
Of dollars
What Georgia needs-what Geor-
gia must have-before she can hope
to take her place with her sister
States and again assume her right
full place as the Empire State OF
the South is
Less politics and mora patriotism.
Fewer politicians and more men.
Fewer laws and the ri@.l and
fearless enforcement of those laws
that are on the books.
Fewer bureaus and departments
with their hundreds and hundred.
of political hangers-on, drawing ia