The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-09-02

0AeRokhy W VIC hCSAO AAGhN
another put in on the ground that freight
rates were too high, declaring that nothing
would give him more satisfaction than to
vote for Howell on Smiths platform.
While tho people Of Georgia generally
were inclined to give all the candidates
respectful hearing, there was a certain ele-
ment Of the most fanatcal bent on answer
ing argument in the only way it knew.
1t made no difference that Georgia had
already practically DISTINGUISHED the negro
In a legal manner. through the cumulative
tax provision Of the State Constitution and
the Democratic white primary; it made
no differences that Howell's record showed
earnest work for fair and just rate regula-
ton; il made no difference that HOke Smith
had urged practical oonfsoaion Of rail-
roads operated in Georgia by foreign oapi-
tai; IL made no difference what flaws or in
constituencies were presented from Hoke
Smiths record, the n answer to them all
was:
"Hurrah for Hokel'
And it came right out in meeting time and
again in the obvious effort TO embarrass
the speaker. thought II this it was unsuOoess-
full. Mr.. Howell spoke wherever he went
TO speak, and by his fairness and justice in
argument compelled attention, an attention,
however, which results have shown availed
nothing
As an evidence OF the eaTnestness Of the
fanaticism coupled with the support of
Hoke Smith, 10 was asked Of the candidates
for Office in Monroe and other counties,
from baihff and dog catcher up through
the line, Are you for Hoke SMITH Anirma-
tive answer meant election; negative poll
teal d~ecapitatlon.
The success Of probably half the local
candidates in the State depended upon
their earnest and active support Of Mr..
Smith. Personal popularity carried Others
in only when they were inactive as between
the candidates for Governor.
1t was a campaign that divided families,
and In not a few households ip Georgia the
subject Of politics was forbidden for the
sake OF peace. 1t parted lifelong friends
and created enmities more bitter than
those which existed between the candidates
themselves Inc which IL may take years
to wipe away.
Mr.. Smith will be formally nominated
by the convention which meets at Macon
on Tuesday next. He will be formally
elected at the regular election on October 8,
but he will not go into Office until the latter
Fart OF June, 1907, since the Legislature
will not again be in session until then, and
It IL then that he will DO inan gurated.
WI Alilb U - hhh VI NAAOIOub DCA6Ou~
atty and IL effective on the stump. He has
promised many things in this campaign,
and there IL widespread interest In the full
filment Of these promises.
He has promised the Acknowledgement
Of the negro, and yet the newly elected
the acknowledgements proposition. IL has
been suggested that the new Legislature
may yield TO the will Of the people ex-
pressed at the polls, despite individual
opinion: It has also been suggested that
Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments
on the ground that they were never legally
adopted because OF the non-participation
in their adoption Of the Southern States,
which the Supreme Court has declared were
Again Mr.. Smith has declared that the
people OF Georgia are paying 900 900
q year to the railroads on water stocks
and in excess Of fair and reasonable divi-
and though he has outlined the methods
the process is as yet vague and indefinite.
Despite charges to the contrary, IL Is as
serted that the railroads tool no part In the
campaign either against Mr.. Smith or in
behalf OF any other candidate. In a recent
fight over freight rates in the United States
court here Ed Baxter OF Nashville, speak
ing for the railroads, remarked:
Hereafter the railroads propose 10 rest
under the @gis Of the Federal Constitu-
LlOn.
That was the platform Of the railroads
in the Georgia campaign, otherwise ex-
pressed by a railroad president Of this
State:
well let the people fight It out at the
polls and we will fight it out In the courts"
Mr.. Smith has promised a number Of
other things. He has promised to drive
railroad lawyers out Of the State Capitol.
He has promised to cut out the free pass
evil, a position in which all the other can
didates supported him and In which he has
now been forestalled by the Railroad Rate
bill passed by Congress.
Not the least interesting question grow
ing out Of the campaign il the future OF
Thomas Il. Watson. Many declare that
Watson elected Hoke Smith, despite the
fact that he was unable TO carry his homo
county, McDuffie, with the strongest GER
sonal appeals.
Il is the belief Of MANY that Watson's
high personal opinion OF himself will lead
him TO demand recognition In return for
his services. Il has been suggested that
he might be made chairman Of the Demo-
cratic party OF the State. II has also been
variously suggested that Watson would 20
to the Senate, that he would be placed on
tho Supreme Court bench. One thing at
least II certain: Unless there Is q sudden
reaction Tom Watson has a POLITICAL future
and he 70 going TO be heard from.