The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1925-12-22
BRIDGE LINKING GEORGIA
AND ALABAMA OPENED
FORT GAINES HOST TO SEW
ERAL THOUSAND PEOPLE
FROM TWO STATES.
SLATON PRINCIPAL SPEAKER
Former Governor Delivers Stirring
Address in Which He Scores Pro-
posal of Big State Bond Issues.
Holder and Others Speak.

ADDRESS IN winch he Scores Pro-
posal of Big State Bond Issues.
Holder and Others Speak.
FORT GAINES, Ga.-With the
air filled with martial music and the
thunder of oratory ringing in their
ears Fort Gaines entertained approx
imately 5000 people Friday in celebra-
ton of the opening of the new $780,
600 steel and concrete bridge across
the Chattahoochee river, linking Geor-
gia and Alabama.
John n. Holder, chairman of the
state highway department, received
the bridge from H. J. Slack, state
bridge engineer, and in turn presented
the structure to B. NJ Turnipseed,
mayor of Fort Gaines, and also to the
members of the board of county COM
missioners. Mr.. Holder and Mayor
Turnipseed made short speeches at
the ceremony. Little Miss Sallie Tur-
nipseed and Master Clayborn King
chirstened the bridge
Following the short exercises at the
bridge the members of the party went
to the Fort Gaines high school build
ing where the speakers of the day
were introduced.
Former Governor Slaton, who deliv-
cred the principal speech of the occa-
sion, said in part:
Excerpts From Speech.
"The history of the bridge gives
me thought of deeper significance than
mere iron and steel and physical en-
co,, cr,xa Tho w Ice of r11ofaria1
things consists not in themselves but
their spiritual memory The greatest
structure that ever was built, the
of Rhodes, was the product of hun
dreds of years ago and existed in hui
mana mind before they were realized
in stone or marble. The things were
but symbols of courage, persistence.
The faith and the genius that realiz-
ed them were the realities. This bridge
that you are celebrating today will
yield to the relentless wear of time,
but the unconquerable spirit, which
obstacles could not daunt, will bless
forever your posterity.
"A hundred years ago the weary
traveller had the ferryman to carry him
cross the angry stream. The enter
prise conceived and constructed a
bridge which succeeded the strong
arms and brave heart of the old boat
man, who has long since passed over
other darker waters. This bridge was
washed away and until after the civil
war the primitive transportation of
earlier days was adopted. Sherman
devastated the southern states with
sword and torch; slaves had been
freed and the south was in a state of
restitution never surpassed in human
history But your gallant forefathers
in the midst OF it all with heads, heart
and souls unsubdued built another
bridge in 1867 Disaster happened to
it and again and. again it was recon-
structed. But persistence was superior
to disappointment; courage triumphed
over difficulty, a self reliance which
knew no defeat achieved the inevitable
victory and the mammoth bridge of
today is the eliminating triumph of
it all. The part that commands my
admiration is that you did these things
yourself, through legal channels pro-
vided by the constitution and laws and
principles of our forefathers.
Built Without Debt.
Connecting two states it is the sub
ject Of interstate commerce and the
proper object of Georgia and Ala
bama. The highway fund of Georgia
provided without debt imposed any
where, its quota in association with
| Alabama. How much more splendid
than the violation of constitutional
provisions against the incurrences of
state debt. learned by our forefathers
f~1.., IL e,f (-aAror.a aad
her history. Highways are entitled to
unstinted praise in the service they
perform They bring together COM
Imunities, they aid the schools and the
churches in their enlightening service,
they promote commerce in its myriad
forms. But nothing will compensate
for the loss OF local independence. 1t
is classic that Hercules helped those
who helped themselves Where money
is spent by those who pay it, it will
be spent economically frugally and a
return may be expected from every
dollar expended. No extra contracts
are made, excessive salaries paid, use
less or inefficient men employed or
defective material expected.
What a source of pride should
Georgia be to every citizen. Her bond
ca QcDI Is 9O,OOO,UOO, uiPdlu iOI
! fifty years. And yet there are those
who would wish US to initiate other
states with unbearable burdens. Most
wisely our forefathers wrote that
Georgia should never incur a debt but
it should pay as it went. Every dollar
of principal and interest must be paid
by the people, the poor people strug-
Cling to meet their obligations. by
the consumer in whatever walk of
life he may be and we are inviting
capital to invest with US, under the
assurance of fair treatment and stable
laws. How can we expect it with
threats of extra sessions of our legis-
lature, the insurance OF heavy debt
and the necessary heavier taxation."
The Central OF Georgia band played
selections all during the morning ex-
ercises, and led a parade through the
streets OF the town from the new
e~bCof bouca