Aprils past, 100 years ago

From The LaGrange Graphic, 1916

Front Page News

Memorial Day Fittingly Observed — Memorial Day in LaGrange was fittingly observed with a dinner served to the Confederate veterans by the Ladies of the Memorial Association and by appropriate music and an address by the Hon. Joe T. Derry.

After dinner served in the Court House yard, memorial services were held in the Court House with music and Mr. Derry’s glowing tribute to the boys in gray, to the women of the South and to our state and nation. His speech will be remembered as one of the most highly appreciated addresses ever delivered in this city.

The ranks of our old veterans are growing thinner as the years pass, and it is but fitting that they should be honored so long as one remains with us.

All honor to the Southern soldier. May his last days be his best.

First Baptist Church Wipes Out Debt — Sunday was a red letter day at the First Baptist Church in LaGrange.

Not that there was any large addition to the membership. Not that the sermon was more powerful than those usually given by Dr. Vaughan. Not that there was an unusually large attendance, but it was a red letter day because a debt of about $1,200 — hanging over the church for about four years — wiped out.

The work of raising this amount had been given to the executive committee of 12 young men who went to work with a vim and raised the amount necessary to lift the burden.

All honor to these young men who worked so faithfully and nobly to raise this amount.

Now that the church is out of debt, let’s stay out.

Work Progressing On New Theatre — Work on the new theatre on Main Street is progressing rapidly.

The roof is being put on now, and from all indications the building will be ready for theatre-goers between May 1 and May 15.

No pains are being spared to make it one of the most attractive playhouses in the state. The interior arrangement and design will be perfectly in keeping with the high class film service to be installed. The most fascinating attractions will be shown here.

The naming of the theatre is attracting considerable attention as Manager Ginsburg plans to give $25 in gold to the person who suggests the most appropriate name for this playhouse. You are not too late to suggest a name.

Baseball Prospects Looking Bright — That LaGrange is to have interesting baseball this season goes without saying. Things are getting in shape for a good series of games here.

Grounds are being put in first class condition and tryouts are being held every day. The larger part of the local club will be composed of new men, with only a few of the old team back.

The opening game will be played in Rome between Rome and LaGrange on May 3. The first home games will be against Griffin May 8, 9, 10 and 11.

Editorials

City politics is warming up.

The election for County officers is over, and we will now have a breathing spell in the county offices.

State politics will soon begin to boil.

National politics will exp1ooe after the middle of June.

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It is real amusing to see how the two dominant parties heap abuse on each other. According to the charges of each faction, they are nothing but a set of thieves and scoundrels.

No wonder the country is in the throes of a revolution.

We could not expect anything else when we are all at the mercy of such a gang of snipers.

A Truthful News Service Needed Badly — When you read a dispatch from Washington, you think it tells the truth.

The press should champion the truth and strive to disseminate the truth and suppress falsehood. Our Capital should see that news in regard to national affairs is truthful news. If Washington reports cannot be believed, then who can believe reports from anywhere?

It is a fact today, nevertheless, that reports from Washington are totally unreliable.

Local newspapers are utterly dependent on news agencies for the national and international news they receive. These news agencies are in the hands — or should I say — controlled by the “Shylocks of Big Business.”

There has never been a time in the history of our government when an independent, honest, truthful news agency was so badly needed as at this time.

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The Troup County farmer who plants peas, pumpkins, potatoes and peanuts will be in the swim next fall.

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We learn that LaGrange is to have two more large cotton mills in the near future. LaGrange is destined to be the city of mills and workers.