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History: Part I-Chapter V... |
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PART 1 Nine terms in the Georgia House of Representatives, four of them as Speaker; one term in the State Senate; a campaign for U.S. Congressman from the Ninth District; five campaigns for Governor, and Chairman of the State Highway Commission for seven and a half years--that is the political record of John N. Holder during the period 1898-1932. Said the Atlanta Georgian upon his retirement from the Highway Board in 1929, although he was to run for Governor two times after that, "...There passes into private life one of the most picturesque figures ever seen on the Georgia political horizon."1 Mr. Holder became less and less an editor as he became more and more a politician. To get out The Jackson Herald each week, he came to lean heavily upon his wife Ada, daughter of ex-Sheriff T. A. McElhannon and a graduate of Wesleyan Female College at Macon; and upon A. J. Bell, the former county ordinary who had put out the paper when the Holders' baby died, and again in 1898 when they made their first trip to Atlanta for the legislature, and upon W. H. Williamson, who became business manager of the paper with the first issue of 1901. He called on correspondents for more help, too. "We are anxious to have a good correspondent in every locality in Jackson County," he wrote on January 30, 1903, and continued: We already have a number of splendid correspondents, whose services are very much appreciated not only by the proprietors, but by the readers of the Herald. We are doing our best to give the people a good newspaper, and in order to give all the local happenings of the county, we must have a correspondent in each locality.2 What Mr. Holder said about the Democrats and the Populists following the election of 1898 turned out to be true; that was the last great battle between the two parties in Jackson County. The Populists offered only token opposition in 1900, even less in 1902. Such was the case for the state as a whole. The election of 1896 marked the height of both Populist and Republican strength in Georgia. In 1898 the Democrats nominated Allen D. Candler for governor. He was elected over J. R. Hogan, the Populist nominee, by 117,000 to 50,000.3 In 1900 Candler was re-elected with but little opposition from the Populists. Two years later Joseph M. Terrell was elected, with only 4,747 votes cast for J. K. Hines, his Populist opponent. In 1904 Terrell was re-elected without opposition. By this time the Populists had passed almost completely out of existence in state affairs, killed by prosperity.4 With the Populists out of the picture, other things came to affect Mr. Holder and The Herald. And in the early years of the twentieth century the editor and his paper came to have an effect on the events of history. Here are some of the historical highlights during the time Mr. Holder served in the legislature: The Democrats, without Populist or Republican opposition, began fighting among themselves. In the primary of 1906 a bitter fight took place between Hoke Smith and Clark Howell for the governorship. Smith was nominated and elected, and during the next two years treated the state to great deal of legislation which reminded some Georgians too much of Populist principles. The most important act passed in 1908 was one causing the elimination of the Negro from politics. Qualifications were set up which were difficult but not impossible for him to meet.5 This year also marked the beginning of a feud between Smith and Joseph M. Brown. In his attempt to succeed himself in 1908 Smith was defeated by Brown. The panic of 1907 had made itself felt in Georgia as well as on Wall Street, and the battle cry of "Hoke and hunger, Brown and bread" emphasized the distress in the Cracker State.6 In 1910 Smith won the governorship back. Before the end of his term, however, he was elevated to the United States Senate. There he remained until 1920, when Tom Watson defeated him.7 In 1912 John. M. Slaton was elected governor. The greatest interest this year, though, was in the presidential contest. Woodrow Wilson was elected. Slaton was followed in the governorship by Nathaniel E. Harris, the last of the Confederates. During Harris' administration the United States entered the World War. For the next few years politics was adjourned in Gerogia.8 What to do with the convicts was a vexing problem in Georgia during the early years of 1900. Following the war, with the Negroes unadapted to their new freedom, the number of prisoners became so large that the penitentiary would not hold them. First in 1866 a policy of leasing the convicts to contractors on public works was adopted. Eight years later the law was changed to permit their leasing to private individuals for five years. Still later a new policy was put into effect, this providing for leasing the convicts to three companies for a period of twenty years. With all the safeguards, there were grave dangers of cruelty and abuse. And many Georgians felt that the convicts were not being worked to the best advantage of the state.9 Mr. Holder was to have a lot to do with solving this problem. Then, there was this matter of roads. During the early 1900's people were not coming to Georgia; they were leaving. There was a widespread feeling that one reason the state did not prosper was the almost impassability of her highways. This fact was spread throughout the country by the great number of people attempting to cross the state on their way to participate in the Florida boom.10 Mr. Holder was to do something about getting better roads, too. He began early to make his mark as a legislator . His conduct was such during his first term in the House that The Atlanta Constitution was prompted to editorialize as follows: Hon. J. N. Holder of Jackson county, is one of the youngest members of the house who have taken a high stand. Mr. Holder proves in his success that it doesn't take a lawyer to make a good legislator. He is an editor, and a good one, and so popular in his county that the indications are he will be sent to the next senate.11 Mr. Holder's spirit for good work in 1899 likely was boosted on January 6 of that year when The Herald again became the official organ of Jackson County. The paper began receiving revenue from legal advertisements which the Populists had taken from it two years earlier. From 1899, though, the paper has remained the county organ. The Constitution was right in its prediction that Mr. Holder would run for the Senate in 1900. He was not able to wage an active campaign, however, and this item in The Jackson Herald of May 4 explains why: ...It will be impossible for me to make a canvass of the county for state senator. I was in a wreck on the G.. J. and S. R. R. last Monday night, and received wounds that will take several days to heal. I am slightly disfigured but still in the race, and I do hope my friends will not fail to look after my interests in the primary.12 In the next issue Mr. Holder wrote that he was recovering slowly, was able to sit up some each day, and hoped to get home that week. He pointed out again that he would be in no condition to see his friends over the county, that he would have to trust to luck and loyalty to look after his interests. Evidently he had plenty of both. The Herald of May 18, 1900, announced that its editor had won over W. I. Pike in the Democratic primary by 1,022 to 435. The same issue also carried this note: "The editor is still unable to take charge of The Herald, and Mr. A. J. Bell will continue to furnish editorial matter for the paper until he is able to resume his work."23 The editors of The Atlanta Constitution must have taken a liking to the young Jackson County legislator from the start. In The Herald of August 24, 1900, the Atlanta daily's comments on Mr. Holder visiting Atlanta on legal business were quoted. "Rep. Holder, in the last house of Representatives, was one of the ablest of the younger members," said The Constitution, "and his nomination for the upper house was a source of gratification to his friends all over the state."14 The piece continues that Mr. Holder's election was a certainty. It said that he probably would be one of the youngest members of the Senate, but added that his recognized ability would carry him to the front in spite of his years. Mr. Holder's election to the Senate was a foregone conclusion, but there still was some life in the Populists of Jackson County. Said the Herald editor on July 29, 1900: "The Populists...held their annual rally last Saturday....The crowd was not so good as we have seen at the Populist rallies, but a goodly number of people were present. A ticket was nominated."15 His comments on August 3, 1900, were these: It is certainly unfortunate for the people of Jackson county that they have to go through another heated political campaign when there is no political necessity for it. The best informed Populists of the state know that they have no chance of ever carrying anything as a national or state party.16 Still commenting on the Populists two weeks later, The Herald editor said they were a very strong political organization eight years ago. He pointed out that it fell as rapidly as it rose, and added that it had lost its hold in the South almost entirely. While Mr. Holder had been wrong in the past about the strength of the Populists, this time he was right. This is borne out by the "DEMOCRATS VICTORIOUS" headline in The Herald of October 5, 1900. The editor had this to say two weeks later: The election is over and Democracy won a sweeping victory in Jackson county....We are glad that the men who were arrayed against each other in political contest can meet, shake hands, and recount their battles in a friendly fashion. We have no ill will against the Populist party, or any member thereof. We wish everybody well, and The Jackson Herald has for its mission the upbuilding of Jackson county. We are proud that we have had some part in building factories and otherwise developing our county; and The Herald will continue to be one of the foremost factors in the future growth and development of our grand old county.17 That Georgia as a whole was making progress near the turn of the century is evidenced by the fact that from 1870 to 1890 she quadrupled her capital engaged in manufacturing, she trebled her railroad mileage, and she increased her property values from $215,000,000 to $820,000,000.18 In 1900 thirty-six new cotton factories were constructed, and the total number of fertilizer plants by the next year had reached 112. Incidentally, Georgia used more fertilizer at this time than any other state.19 The Jackson Herald would progress, too. On September 26, 1902, Mr. Holder could proclaim proudly, "The Herald has in all probability more inches of advertisements this week than it ever had before at any one issue during its existence."20 He said advertisers recognized The Herald as the leading medium in that part of Georgia, and then gave these reasons why: "Because it is well printed; because it has the largest circulation of any paper in the Ninth congressional district; and because it is honest, never barters away its opinions and convictions."21 So great was the advertising increase during the next year that Mr. Holder wrote on September 18, 1903, "With this issue we change the form of the Jackson Herald from an 8 column four page to a six column eight page."22 He went on to explain that instead of printing 768 inches he now would print 960. "We were forced to change the form of the paper," Editor Holder said, "on account of the great demands on us for advertising space. No county weekly in this state has a better advertising patronage than has The Herald."23 Two weeks later demand on The Herald space was so great that ten pages were printed. Mr. Holder said he proposed to print that many only for a few weeks. And he determined to use the larger papers as a promotion. Sample copies would be sent to a thousand or more persons not already subscribers. Said the editor: "It is our desire for The Herald to enter every home in this county."24 Come Christmas week in 1904, however, and The Herald staff saw fit to print only what they had to. The issue of December 22 announced that the regular edition of the paper would not be published the next week, only a sheet containing the legal ads. Before another year passed Mr. holder had printed the largest paper in The Herald's history. The issue of November 2, 1905, contained twelve pages. Reason for the increased size again was given as heavy demand on the advertising space. "This heavy demand shows that the advertisers know a good advertising medium," Mr. Holder boasted. "The Herald is read each week by more than six thousand people."25 The record of twelve pages did not stand for long. On November, 23, 1905, Mr. Holder made it known that he proposed to issue a Christmas edition of The Herald on December 14. Discussing plans for the special paper, he said: It will contain a brief historical sketch of Jackson county, together with her great resources, her wonderful development in the past, and her great possibilities for the future....It will contain articles from the pen of some very distinguished men, Dr. L. G. Hardman, Judge H. W. Bell, Col. J. A. B. Mahaffey, Editor John F. Shannon, Col. James Smith....It will contain pictures of the people who get The Herald out each week. This includes our correspondents, whom we ask to send their photos at once.26 The Christmas edition came out on schedule, and as advertised. Its 24 pages and 144 columns has remained the most voluminous Herald ever printed. Mr. Holder admitted the issue required a great deal of hard work and considerable expense. And again there was a great demand for that precious advertising space. In fact, there was not enough of it to go around this time. Said The Herald editor: "...We regret we could not accommodate all who sent in their ads this week, but it was impossible to get them in."27 Progress continued at The Herald office during 1906. On May 31 of that year Mr. Holder pointed out that his readers no doubt had noticed improvements in the appearance of the paper. He gave this explanation: "We have new type for the body of the paper, and have purchased a large quantity of new display and job type."28 Mr. Holder continued that he had purchased a new folding machine also. "Heretofore," he stated, "the paper has been folded by hand, but the machine folds twenty-four papers per minute."29 There was one thing for certain: no whisky or beer advertisement ever helped to pay for the progress at The Herald. The editor pointed out on January 31, 1907, that no liquor ad had appeared in The Jackson Herald in more than fifteen years. Nor was one to appear so long as he operated the paper. "The proprietors...do not claim to be exemplars of moral conduct," he said, "but they feel that enough whisky is consumed without their aiding the sale and consumption of that which has such a bad influence on humanity."30 With the February 13, 1908, issue The Herald became twenty-eight years old, and Mr. Holder had been at the editorial helm for nearly seventeen of those years. He said the paper had 1,100 subscribers when he began to edit it. Now it had 2,100. Said Mr. Holder at his paper's birthday anniversary: "We like the newspaper business...better than anything else we can do."31 During all this time he also had been developing a liking for politics. As early as 1901, while yet a senator, Mr. Holder became cognizant of the fact that Georgia needed to do something about her roads. "There is nothing perhaps, in which Georgia is so far behind as in the matter of good roads," he wrote in the January 11 issue of The Herald that year. With one term in the House and one term in the Senate behind him, Mr. Holder decided in 1902 that his political future would be brighter as a representative. He and Dr. L. G. Hardman, of Commerce, were named the Democratic nominees in the county primary that year. The Herald editor said he thought, "The Democratic party selected a most admirable ticket," then added: We feel a delicacy in saying this, as the editor of this paper was fortunate enough to be one of the nominees for representative from Jackson county, but we do not want any one to think we are egotistic-puffing ourself.32 The Populists had disappeared from the political scene this year, and Mr. Holder could announce in his paper that there was no opposition to the Democratic ticket. Nevertheless, he asked the people to go to the polls and give their support. Following the balloting, he said, "The election this year was the quietest seen in Jackson county in ten years."33 On December 19, 1902, The Herald editor commented on the legislature adjourning, and said the two representatives had worked together in complete harmony. Twenty-four years later, however, found Mr. Holder and Dr. Hardman battling each other for the governorship, and in another year the Commerce physician was trying to kick The Herald editor off the Highway Board. Although his appointment as chairman of the Highway Commission was 18 years away, Mr. Holder gave evidence of his growing interest in Georgia roads in The Herald of January 9, 1903. "There are no two questions in which the people of Georgia are more vitally concerned at this time than the questions of education and good road," he said. The editor and lawmaker continued: We presume that everybody is in favor of good roads. If all are not, they ought to be. It will cost something to have good roads. Can't get them for nothing. This is a positive fact....How can this be done? First, by working our convicts...and by giving financial aid to the different counties.34 It soon began to look like Mr. Holder was in politics to stay. In The Jackson Herald of July 14, 1904, was this announcement: With a heart full of gratitude to the people of Jackson county for their past support and manifestation of confidence, I announce myself a candidate for re-election to the General Assembly at the approaching primary....35 Compared to elections in earlier years, the one in Jackson County in 1904 seemed almost dull. Mr. Holder called it a very quiet one. He said there was no excitement at all, that many people did not even go to the polls. In two short years election time had rolled around again, and 1906 found Mr. Holder uncertain about running for re-election. Said he in The Herald of May 10 that year: I have been asked the question very often if I intended being a candidate for representative of Jackson county this year, and my invariable reply has been "if I am satisfied the people want me to run, I will be glad to do so; but if I think they would rather vote for someone else, I will not be a candidate."36 Five columns of endorsements in the next issue of The Herald were enough to convince him he was wanted by the people. And incidentally, the editor ran a picture of himself alongside the accolades. Early in his political career Mr. Holder had received editorial favors from The Atlanta Constitution. Now The Atlanta Journal was giving him an editorial pat on the back. The Herald of July 19, 1906, quoted the following from The Journal: Messers. Hardman and Holder, of Jackson, two of the best known and most energetic members of the House of Representatives bid fair to establish a new record in the matter of proposing new legislation. Among the important general measures championed by these gentlemen are those providing for the teaching of agriculture and civil government in the common schools; the establishment of agricultural high schools in each congressional district, the manufacture and free distribution by the state board of health of the treatment for hydrophobia, the creation of an irrigation and drainage commission in Georgia; the separation of the consumptive from the non-consumptive patients at the insane asylum at Milledgeville, and the establishment of a state sanitarium for tuberculosis.37 Mr. Holder was absent from the House only one day prior to the election of 1906. He made speeches in the county at night. After winning the race he said."...We did not spend one cent, did not use one drop of liquor, nor any unfair means or any kind of schemes to influence voters."38 In the legislative session of 1907 Mr. Holder was appointed chairman of the committee on penitentiary, and a member of committee on rules, appropriations, general agriculture, education, public printing, immigration, and state of the republic. Although it wasn't passed until a year later, it was in this session that he introduced a bill relative to the convict lease system. The Jackson Herald of January 23,1908, quoted an editorial from the Alpharetta Free Press which gave some indication of what the political future held for Mr. Holder. Hon. John N. Holder of Jackson county has been urged by many of his friends to run for congress this year. These friends believe he could easily be elected and that he would reflect great credit upon the district. Now, we are going to say let John Holder keep out of the race for congress this year. Let him go back to the state legislature and become a candidate for the speakership. He is able, fair, conservative, and progressive. Here's to Speaker Holder:39 Mr. Holder's paper on September 2, 1908, announced the passage of Mr. Holder's convict bill. The bill provided that, upon the expiration of the lease system, a fund be set up and used for working all felony and misdemeanor convicts of the state on public roads. "Another Campaign Is On" was a headline appearing in The Herald on November 5, 1908, and this one did not refer to a political campaign. It had to do with good roads. "Many and great are the forces at work in Georgia for good roads," said the editor. "The easiest, quickest, and cheapest plan to get better public thoroughfares is to use the of able bodied male convicts in their construction and repair."40 The Alpharetta paper's editorial probably had nothing to do with it, but Mr. Holder found himself Speaker of the House of Representatives of Georgia in June of 1909. The Herald of June 24 that year said its editor found his march to the chair unopposed. Two other candidates for the position had retired from the race. There is evidence that Speaker Holder got off to a good start. This note appeared in The Herald of July 8, 1909: "Speaker John N. Holder yesterday announced the members of the house committees, establishing a record which has never been equaled but once in the past decade in the organization of a new house."41 And this item quoted from The Atlanta Constitution in the issue a week later: "There has been a great deal of favorable comment during the present session of the legislature in regard to the admirable order which has been maintained in the house by Speaker John N. Holder."42 Mr. Holder had grown in favor with man, too, especially in Jackson County, and his fellow citizens set out to show their appreciation. In The Herald of August 5, 1909, an article signed by Andrew J. Bell and carrying the heading "Jefferson's Barbecue in Honor of John N. Holder" explained why they would do it: There is no question of the fact that John Holder has proven himself to be one of , if not the ablest, representative Jackson County has ever had in the State Legislature, and it will not be denied, even by those not partial to him personally, that he has wider influence with that body today, and has had for many years, than anyone else connected with the same for this period of time. And that he never fails to use this for the best interests of his section when opportunity offers, is an additional fact that cannot be denied.43 In the midst of all the political activity, Mr. Holder did not forget all about his paper. A front page story on September 2, 1909, pretty well sums up the situation at The Herald office at that time. "For several years," the piece begins, "it has been the earnest desire...to make the Herald a model weekly newspaper." It adds: "We know that our wish has not been gratified. The Herald has been a good average newspaper, but it has not been a model one." And continuing: What the newspaper proprietor has to sell remains practically the same, while what he has to buy has almost doubled in the past decade...The subscription price of one dollar is the same it was twenty-five years ago...On the other hand, rent has increased at least fifty percent, paper and ink doubled in price, labor is much higher, taxes higher, insurance higher. The result is that we have not only not made any money, but we have not made a good support out of the newspaper business. Had we not some other source of income, we would have been forced out of the business long ago.44 Discussing some of the improvements made, the article says: In addition to our Country Campbell Press we have recently purchased a Rolding Machine, which folds the papers neatly and correctly. Recently we purchased a Gasoline Engine, which furnishes the power to operate all the machinery in the office. But the latest purchase made is a Junior Linotype Machine. It is a wonderful machine. It is composed of several hundred pieces. The body of the paper is set by this machine, and there is absolutely new type for each issue. We now have one of the best equipped country papers in the South, and we propose to do our best to make The Herald a paper that the people of Jackson county will feel proud of...Our subscription list is larger now than it has ever been, but we are anxious to have at least twenty-five hundred subscribers by Christmas.45 Indications are that Mr. Holder's popularity as Speaker of the House continued to grow. The Herald of August 10, 1910, carried a story about him receiving a loving cup from members of that body. In presenting the cup, Representative Joe Hall said there had never been an appeal from a single one of Mr. Holder's rulings. The article says the House broke into cheers when the cup was presented, and again at the close of the Speaker's acceptance speech. A year later he was more popular than ever, as is shown by this item in The Atlanta Journal: If anything were needed to attest the popularity of Speaker John N. Holder of the House of Representatives, the finishing touch was added yesterday when an immense scroll bearing the following inscription was suspended from the rear of the speaker's stand. "Let us ask the people of Georgia to elect our impartial and able speaker for governor when a vacancy occurs." The unfurling of the inscription aroused a storm of applause that swept through the entire house and lasted several minutes.....His friends say there is a strong likelihood that he will really be in the race. He himself authorizes no statement.46 Not until 1920 did Mr. Holder make the race for Governor. First came the unsuccessful campaign for U. S. Congressman from the Ninth District, then two more terms in the Georgia House of Representatives. An item in The Herald of March 7, 1912, gave notice that the popular Georgia lawmaker was considering trying to become a legislator at the national level. "Pursuant to call of several citizens of Jefferson," it said, "a goodly number of voters...not at the court house...for the purpose of taking steps to further the interest of Hon. John N. Holder in his race for congressman...."47 In the same issue was an announcement signed by the candidate saying he would be profoundly grateful to the white voters of the district for their support. Not enough support was forthcoming, for The Herald of September 5, 1912, announced that T. M. Bell had received 10,679 votes, Mr. Holder 8,639, and W. A. Charters 4,858. This was Mr. Holder's first defeat in political battle, and when the congressional race came around two years later the headline "NOT A CANDIDATE" appeared in his paper. He gave as his reason for not running the fact that W. A. Charters had announced his candidacy. "I will not run, but will support him," Mr. Holder said. "I have stated to many that I would be a candidate unless Col. Charters decided to offer, but in that case I would ask the people of the Ninth District for their sufferage."48 Commenting on his decision not to run, Mr. Holder wrote the following week: Our heart longed to do something for the struggling and noble people of these hills, these mountains, these valleys.... Circumstances have decreed that our ambition will not be gratified, and that some one else will be called on to do what we hoped to do. We are perfectly content and satisfied with the course of events. The remainder of our days we presume will be spent as a private citizen.49 Mr. Holder's presumption came 20 years too soon, for he did not become a private citizen until 1932. There was, however, following the congressional race in 1912, a period of four years during which he did not hold political office. One week during this period there appeared in The Herald an item that indicates this country weekly had a hardship nearly all small papers face at one time or another. "The Herald's linotype machine," it said, "got 'out of order' this week just when we need it most, so some correspondence and local matter had to go over till next week."50 The year 1914 found Mr. Holder and The Herald supporting a man for governor whom he opposed for the office 12 years later. Commenting on Dr. L. G. Hardman, The Herald editor said, "He is thoroughly capable of making the State a prudent and wise governor. To elect him would be an honor to Jackson as well as a political laurel upon the brow of this native son."51 Mr. Holder said in the same article that Jackson County might
not have another opportunity to put one of her sons into the
executive mansion. The truth was that in 1926 her citizens had
two native sons from which to choose, and they helped put one
of them in the governor's mansion. In 1914, however, Dr. Hardman
was not the successful candidate, and Nathaniel E. Harris was
elected. No one has been feeling this more than the country newspapers. Several have suspended publication. Others have not paid expenses in several months. The Herald is one of the number that has not paid expenses; but the splendid manner in which our subscribers are paying, is a great help to the paper, and with assistance of subscribers and advertisers we hope to be able to make expenses this year.52 Mr. Holder still did not want help from liquor advertisers, though. "During the twenty-four years we have edited the Herald," he said, "not one liquor or beer advertisement has been placed on its pages. Many very attractive prices have been made for liquor ads but all have been declined."53 "THE GREAT WAR ENTERS ITS SECOND YEAR" was one of the headlines in the paper of August 12, 1915. Under it were these words: "The second year of the great European war was opened on Monday, August 2. Millions of men have been killed, wounded, or carried to captivity...."54 The Jackson Herald did its bit for the cause. Many were its editorials urging registration and enlistment, the production of food, the buying of bonds. Two years later The Herald was still supporting the cause of Democracy. In the issue of June 14, 1917, there appeared a complete list and postoffice addresses of those who had registered in the county. "The Jackson Herald takes pleasure in publishing this list free of cost to the government, "Mr. Holder wrote. "The space the names occupy and the work in setting up the names should be well worth forty-five dollars, but the Herald is indeed glad to do the work without compensation."55 There was this explanation: It was possible for us to set up the names only because we have recently installed a beautiful Model 19 Mergenthaler Linotype Machine at a cost of twenty seven hundred and fifty dollars. Our operator, Mr. L. F. Morrison, sets on this machine from eight to ten galleys per day, and later he hopes to make it twelve.... Not only is The Herald rendering this patriotic service, but there are others in Jackson who are showing their loyalty to the government by working without compensation.56 Later that year there was evidence that The Herald needed support, too. The issue of October 25, 1917, called attention to court and sale day coming up in Jefferson. The paper pointed out that a large crowd would be in town, and it urged each person to put a dollar in his pocket for The Herald. The piece continued: We earnestly appeal to our subscribers and friends not to require us to send out statements...With the high cost of material and labor, it is now almost impossible to print a good paper for one dollar subscription...Just one dollar is a very small amount, which is almost insignificant with any one of our subscribers, but two thousand subscribers, putting a dollar each into the Herald treasury is a mighty big thing for the newspaper.57 On December 6, 1917, Mr. Holder was forced to announce that The Herald would be $1.50 a year after January 1 of 1918. The editor pointed out that running a weekly newspaper was not especially renumerative at any time, and added: ....When it happens that it is impossible to continue to issue a creditable paper at the price of one dollar per year, all a publisher can do to either quit, or raise the price. The publishers of The Herald have endeavored to give their readers a splendid newspaper, and have equipped the office with the latest improved machinery, and are devoting six days of the week towards giving the people...all the news. Is it not right that they should at least receive a living wage for their efforts? At present, they are not only not making a living, but are not making the expenses of the office.58 The response to the one dollar proposition had been all that he could ask, Mr. Holder wrote in the first issue of 1918. He said that the paper had had several hundred renewals and more than two hundred new subscribers, and that some of them had paid five years in advance. The editor commented that he had had many requests to let the one dollar rate stand a few days longer. He announced that the offer would be extended until February 12. The masthead on The Herald of February 14, 1918, carries the price of $1.50, "In Advance." Later that year the headline "WHY WE ASK OUR SUBSCRIBERS TO PAY IN ADVANCE" appeared in the paper, and under it: The owners of The Jackson Herald have never insisted on payment of subscribers to The Herald in advance, but have always been willing to extend credit to any one for a year's subscription. Some have not paid, but nearly all have. Now, however, the owners of the paper ask payment in advance. They would not do so now, but they have positive and explicit command from the War Department who say: "Discontinue sending paper after date of expiration of subscription unless the subscription is renewed and paid for."59 Mr. Holder said his paper had not made any money during the war. He pointed out that labor, newsprint, ink, freight, and postage were from 25 to 100 per cent higher than before the conflict. No one probably was any happier than The Herald editor when he wrote the heading "CELEBRATION" for the November 14, 1918, issue, and announced under it: "At six o'clock Monday morning the whistle of the Jefferson Mills with loud blasts of noise announced that Germany had signed the armistice, and peace again reigned in the world."60 In the course of the war Mr. Holder had entered politics again. It was on September 7, 1916, that he wrote in The Herald: Until a very short while ago, I had no intention of becoming a candidate for one of the Representatives from Jackson county. Recently, however, people from every part of the county...have asked me to become a candidate, and I feel that I should not disregard their wishes.61 In the election in November of that year Jackson went Democratic by a large majority, and Mr. Holder and J. S. Ayers were chosen to represent the county in the next General Assembly. Back in the capital after a four-year absence, Mr. Holder found that he had not lost his power over the House of Representatives. The Herald of July 5, 1917, announced that he had been elected Speaker on the fifth ballot, and the issue of July 18, 1918, announced that he would be a candidate for re-election to the House. And Mr. Holder grew as a politician. Writing in The Atlanta Journal, James Nevin said of him: ....John N. Holder of Jackson county is the ablest Speaker of the House I've ever known; and I say that, too, fully aware of the fact that Mr. Holder's predecessors have, for many years, been men of marked ability. Certainly if eminent and unswerving fairness, coupled with remarkable expertness an aptness in parliamentary knowledge, together with a pleasing and genuinely winning personality go to make up an acceptable presiding officer, then Mr. Holder is entitled to rank fully with the best of them. To begin with, I think he is the best liked Speaker I've ever known; certainly he has run the affairs of the House this year with an astonishing lack of friction and cross purposes with the members. Mr. Holder has been speaker four times--counting the present term. He has grown steadily all the while in the esteem and respect of his colleagues. I am sure I do not know of any other Georgian who has been similarly honored--for it is an honor, and most happily deserved....Mr. Holder has served Georgia wisely and well. He deserves much at the hands of the state I think.61 Never were the people of the state to think he deserved to be their governor. He tried for the office first in 1920. The Herald of May 6 that year announced that its editor would shortly make his formal announcement. The piece added that Mr. Holder had just returned after traveling over the state for the last four months, and quoted him as saying: I feel absolutely sure of winning the campaign. Months ago I informed my friends of my determination to make the race for governor. I believed then I would be elected and after going well over the State, I am more than ever convinced of it.62 Loyalty to the accomplishments of the Democratic party in the nation, together with the strictest economy and efficiency in the management of state affairs, were the high points in Mr. Holder's platform as given in The Herald on June 24, 1920. About a month later the paper pointed out that he was presiding over the session of the legislature and didn't have much time to devote to his candidacy for governor. "But would you believe it, John Holder is not worrying," the item stated. "...He is wearing the most self-satisfied smile that a candidate ever possessed....He will tell you right out that he is going to win the race."63 The Herald of August 12, 1920, commented on the sine die adjournment of the legislature, and said Mr. Holder now would enter more actively upon his campaign for governor. This same article said he had felt that his duty was rather to the state in the Speaker's chair, than to his own political interests. Besides The Herald editor there were three other candidates in the gubernatorial race of '20--Tom Hardwick, Clifford Walker, and Walter R. Brown. The vote in the first primary was as follows: Hardwick, 99,210; Walker, 90,738; Holder 37,957; Brown 3,530. 64 As neither received a majority vote, a run-over election was held to choose between the two leaders, Hardwick and Walker. Mr. Holder said in The Herald of September 30, 1920, that he had received many telegrams, letters, and personal requests asking him to take an active part for one or the other candidates. He said, however, "We believe it unbecoming in a defeated candidate to be too conspicuous. We are satisfied that our friends are fully capable of selecting their own candidate for governor."65 The defeated candidates were not so kind to Mr. Holder six years later when he found himself in a run-over election with Dr. L. G. Hardman. But before he was to run for governor again, Mr. Holder was to be appointed chairman of the State Highway Commission and the first of two attempts to expel him from it was to be made. The Herald of August 18, 1921, announced that, "John N. Holder, of Jackson county...was confirmed as chairman of the State Highway Commission during the closing hours of the senate on Wednesday. He will succeed Prof. Charles N. Straham and will serve a term of six years, beginning January 1st."66 Evidently, Georgia made progress in her roads under Mr. Holder's leadership. The Herald of March 29, 1923, quoted a story from the Savannah Morning News which said the state ranked first in the United States in value of bridges constructed, second in the mileage of roads built, third in the amount of federal aid received, and fourth in the value of roads constructed. Nevertheless, the Atlanta Chronicle said two years later: The state of Georgia was stunned with the announcement that Gov. Clifford Walker had summarily removed from office Chairman John. N. Holder, of the State Highway Commission. The veteran Georgia legislator, a man who had graced every position of trust he has ever held, was not even asked to resign. He was fired on the spot...and we have not yet been able to understand what it was all about.67. In The Herald of March 26, 1925, there was some explanation of what had happened. An editorial stated that Governor Walker had united with his conspirators and employed a private auditor to frame up some charges that resulted in Mr. Holder's firing. The piece continued that Mr. Holder had received hundreds of telephone messages, telegrams, letters, and visits from people "who are outraged at the dirty deal that was handed him by a man who poses as a Christian gentleman."68 Excerpts of letters from 27 persons were printed in the same issue of the paper. Mr. Holder would not give up the chairmanship without a fight. Through his attorneys he obtained a writ of mandamus in Bibb County requiring his opponents to show cause why he should not be recognized as chairman of the Board. The case went to the state supreme court, and in The Jackson Herald of March 28, 1925, the decision was announced: "Governor Clifford Walker had no right to discharge John N. Holder as chairman of the State Highway Board...The court also held that the report of C.R. Dawson...was no audit and that the facts in it were immaterial."69 A year later The Herald quoted this item from The Walton News: "Hon. John N. Holder, now with the press party on their Cuban trip...will on his return...make formal announcement for the office of governor of Georgia...."69 That he did in June of that year. The Herald of June 24 announced that he had officially qualified, and pointed out that his entrance fee of $250 had been paid by friends and neighbors in Jackson County. In 1926 there were four candidates for Governor. This time there was a run-over election between Dr. Hardman and Mr. Holder. In this second race both minority candidates, George H. Carswell and J. O. Wood, supported Hardman, who carried 228 county unit votes to 132 for Mr. Holder.70 The Herald editor had led in popular votes in the first primary, with 71,976 to Dr. Hardman's 67,708; Carswell's 32,484, and Wood's 20,857. In the run-over election Dr. Hardman got 80,868 votes to Mr. Holder's 60,197. 71 After his inauguration, Dr. Hardman became the second governor to attempt to remove The Herald editor from the Highway Commission. However, the Senate refused to confirm his appointee, and Mr. Holder remained in office.72 A plank in the Democratic platform in 1928, when Dr. Hardman and Mr. Holder again ran against each other for Governor, was demanding the immediate resignation of the Highway Department chairman. The Augusta Chronicle called the move unwise, and said it would hurt the incoming administration of Dr. Hardman more than it would hurt Mr. holder. However, the Commerce physician was re-elected governor by a wide majority. A story in The Herald of January 17, 1929, indicated that Dr. Hardman planned to carry out his platform. It said: Gov. L. G. Hardman called upon Chairman John. N. Holder for his resignation as head of the State Highway Board, and gave the highway department chairman until Tuesday to announce whether or not his resignation would be forthcoming. Chairman Holder immediately replied that he would not voluntarily retire until his successor is appointed and confirmed.73 Not until six months later did Mr. Holder give up. The Atlanta
Journal announced that Mr. Holder had given a barbecue for his
employees, and quoted him as follows: "As you all know,
I have not had a fair chance. Just why I have been maligned and
persecuted during my term I do not know, because I do not hate,
but...my disposition is friendship, kindness and love."74 Eighteen sessions a member of the Georgia House of Representatives, two sessions a member of the State Senate, eight sessions as the Speaker of the House, and seven and one half years chairman of the State Highway Board I believe have given me an experience in state affairs which would be of inestimable value to me in serving as chief executive of the state. 75 There were five candidates in the race this year, Richard B. Russell, Jr., George H. Carswell, Eurith D. Rivers, and James A. Perry, in addition to Mr. Holder. The Herald editor did not win the election, but for once he had a part in determining the victor. It happened this way: Carswell, then Secretary of State and supported by the Hardman administration, proposed to divert funds from the Highway Department to liquidate the state debt. Mr. Holder opposed this, and supported Russell who won in a run-over election.76 Again on June 2, 1932, Mr. Holder announced that he would be a candidate for governor of Georgia, although his simple story in The Herald of that date indicated he was not very enthusiastic about it. In September of that year he announced in his paper that, "...The voters swept Eugene Talmadge into the office of governor with one of the greatest victories ever given a candidate."77 In fact, Talmadge won more than twice as many county unit votes as his five opponents combined. 78 Mr. Holder got ten unit votes in four counties. He figured it was time he stopped being a politician and started being a full-time editor again. ----------------------- 1 The Jackson Herald. June 6, 1929, quoting
from the Atlanta Georgian.
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