The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1906-01-19
HOWELL AND SMITH
Candidates for Go72rror of Georgia
Hold First Joint Debate How'll
Spr ngS a Sensation.

Georgia gubernatorial campaign was
pulled eff in Columbus Wednesday be,
tween Candidates Hon. IEoke Smith
and Hon Clark Howell.
The speakers were greeted by an
audience CT nearly 1000 people, and
both were given an ovation, and the
partisans Of both sides are making
sweeping claims as to the result OF
the meeting.
A sensational feature Of the debate
was when Mr. Howell said that he
had been offered the support of Hon.
Tom Watson, and when some one in
the audience shouted fer proof Mr.
Howell produced and read two letters
which, in part, were as follows:
Atlanta, Ca, July IA, 1905.-Hon
Clark Howell-My Dear Clark: have
just wound up an interesting trip OF
eight days touring through Tennes-
see and Virginia with my friend, Hon.
Tom Watson We thoroughly discuss
ed the chances of Hon. Hoke Smith
and yourself, and came to the con-
clusion that all this corporation talk
is nothing but skirnish fight-thag
the all-absorbing contention will be
the disfranchisement of the negro.
Mr.. Watson, you will remember, in his
Atlanta speech of September, 1904,
pledged himself to Acknowledgement.
You will recall that have for years
been your warm personal friend -
ever since we served together in the
house of representatives, of which
you we're speaker. want YOU elect
ed governor, and 1 am particularly
anxious to have you secure. Mr.. Wat
sons support to that end.
If you had agreed to support the
Acknowledgement amendment. feel
satisfied that Smith could not secure
Watson's support. I know that he dis
likes Hoke Smith, and l know the vii
famous treatment of Mr.. Watson by
Hoka Smith and the Atlanta Journal in
the past rankles in his breast, espec-
tally the open charge Of corruption
made by Mr. Smith in Augusta.
It is true that both you and Smith
were bitterly opposed to the Hard
wick disfranchisemeDt bill at the
time it was defeated in the general
assembly. And yet Hoke's deep anx,
iety for political promotion is such
that he will not hesitate 10 make a
deal bartering his conviction on this
subject.
You have the first opportunity to- get
Watson's support if you want it.
Let me hear from you on the sub
jet. Address your reply to my old
home, Juniper, Talbot county, Georgia
and it will be forwarded to me. Your
friend, JOHN A. SHELLEY.
To this Mr.. Howell replied as fol-
lows:
Atlanta, Ca, July II, 19O5.-EIon.
John A. Stbley, Juniper, Talbot Coun-
ty, Georgia. My Dear John: I
have you very kind letter written az
ter your trip through the mountains
with Hon. Tom Watson.
I would like to see Mr. Watson re-
turn to the democratic party ana to
have his support as a democrat.
Unfortunately he seems to have
drifted too far from his original moor.
ings to affiliate with the party, and
l can quite understand now how, as
one who is bitterly antagonizing dem-
ocraUc success, he should be willing
to inject new issues into democratic |
counsels with the view CT dividing the |
white vote of Georgia.
Personally, am very fond of him
and much admire his brilliancy and
his literary attainments.
I am opposed to the kind of dis.
reimbursement as proposed by the
Hsrdwick bill, because I believe that
instead of really DISTINGUISHING the
negro it will disfranchise thousands
of them and disfranchise tens OF
thousands of white citizens.
MY record in this matter is based
usEDh conscience and I must be con.
ststeRt
| would not have the governorship
if had to barter my convictions tn
get the office.
Win assurance of personal esteem.
am, with best wishes, sincerely
vOI1rs NJ Arvr ,,,.~-. -