If he can make an affidavit of that sort, let him do it. His own honor and the honor of the state demand it. Let Joe swear it was not done, and I will publish his denial prominently in this magazine.
At the same time, however, I want him to explain to the people of Georgia why he, their Chief Magistrate, offered a seat on our Supreme Bench to that notorious railroad lobbyist and corruptionist, Hamp McWhorter. I would like to have this explanation attached as exhibit A, to the affidavit denying the railroad Campaign fund.
The other specifications in my article Mr. Howell meets with merely a general denial. Of course, there’s nothing to discuss where a general denial is made to a specific statement.
So far from the record of the Legislature showing that the railroads do not dominate it, those records prove that very thing.
Can you pass the Anti-Free Pass bill?
No. The railroads oppose it. It is the cheapest, most effective method of bribery, and they mean to keep it. They will keep it.
Can you pass a law compelling the railroads to equip all passenger stations with water-closets; and to keep the waiting rooms open at night?
No. It would cost too much. They couldn’t do that, and pay dividends on watered stock also.