The road to incorporation
On June 1 and 2, 1903, newspapers reported that Barney and Barwick would seek municipal charters. The reports said both communities had "excellent schools" and presented protection of the schools and residents, along with the general welfare, as reasons for incorporation.[28]
The reports do not identify every argument made in Barney or name the people who organized the request. No minutes of a local meeting, signed petition, or full list of sponsors has been found.[28]
Representative Gaulden of Brooks County introduced the Barney bill on July 2. The introduction appeared in three newspapers between July 2 and 4. The Atlanta Journal listed the bill among measures passed on July 11, and the same House-passage notice appeared in the Macon Telegraph and Atlanta Constitution on July 12. Both the Atlanta Constitution and Macon Telegraph carried a later passage notice on July 23. The resulting act is preserved in Georgia's session laws.[29][30]
On August 6, 1903, the governor approved Act No. 292 and created the Town of Barney.[30] The charter's boundaries, form of government, and municipal powers are covered in the Incorporation section.
Sources used on this page
- [28] Macon Telegraph, June 1, 1903, p. 4, Georgia Historic Newspapers; Valdosta Times, June 2, 1903, p. 5, reporting from the Quitman Free Press, Newspapers.com image 889675813.
- [29] Atlanta Journal, July 2, 1903, p. 5, bill introduction, Newspapers.com image 969476347; Atlanta Constitution, July 3, 1903, p. 7, bill introduction, image 34098789; Macon Telegraph, July 4, 1903, p. 3, bill introduction, image 825766553; Atlanta Journal, July 11, 1903, p. 5, "Passed Bills Without A Quorum," image 969477011; Macon Telegraph, July 12, 1903, p. 1, "Making of Laws Without Quorum," image 825766775; Atlanta Constitution, July 12, 1903, p. 2, local-bills list, image 34103940; Atlanta Constitution, July 23, 1903, p. 7, "The Day in the Senate," image 34110264; Macon Telegraph, July 23, 1903, p. 3, passage notice, image 825767083.
- [30] Georgia General Assembly, Act No. 292, "An Act to Incorporate the Town of Barney," approved August 6, 1903, Georgia Acts and Resolutions, pp. 440-446, Digital Library of Georgia record.