The Washington herald., 1908-05-31


we'll going adown toboggan slide.
| Whether II can be sidetracked between
| this and the Democratic primary. June
4, remains 20 be seen. The State Is be-
Ing "spellbinded" to a standstill. The
governor has been into every county.
and Is still going, He didn't even take
time 70 go to Mr.. Roosovelts recent
gathering Of governors in Washington
an occasion Of the variety very dear TO
Mr.. Smiths heart.
Brown is a son OF Georgia's famous
war governor, Joe" Brown for
whom he was named He comes OF
fighting stock. He is a last ditcher In
every sense OF the word In size he is a
midget, the very antithesis Of Mr.. Smith.
lie can't make II speech. but he can
write a newspaper card that fairly takes
the hide of the object Of his criticism
lie nights with a rapier, rather than n
oludgeon. He stabs 20 kill. not merely
70 wound or temporarily disable. His
methods compared with recent meth
ods IN Georgia, are rated extremely
novel He hasn't uttered one word OF
abuse He has kept an even temper.
MI Smith. of his own accord. or
through III advice. was led in the early
stage OF the campaign. to ridicule Mr.
Brown's physical makeup Brown is
brown Is n Midget.
The governor is handsome: no mistake
about that Brown weighs about ninety
five pounds; the governor weighs about
800 pounds. The governor has a voice that
Is full. round. rich. mellow. sonorous. and
Of magnificent range Brown talks in n
squeak. The governor has dropped his
criticism of Browns physical shortcom-
ings, however II proved 10 be the biggest
sort or a boomerang. Georgians recalled
ugly. little Alex. Stevens''-in many re-
spects the noblest Georgian Of them all
ana Brown was compared 20 him. He
isn't Ike Stevens-much. But that doesn't
matter 10 Georgia now Nothing. espe-
cialiy. matters 10 Georgia just now. II
Georgia wants 10 believe something else
And Georgia wants TO believe In Little
joe" apparently-right there the argu-
mcnt stops.
There Is another thing that has worked
great havoc In the Smith camp. He had
his State executive committee adopt a
novel expedient in political Affairs. so far
as the control of the State delegates. both
local and national are concerned. This
new rule provides that the succe essfuI can
didate for governor shall have the power
OF selecting delegates from each county
iaVorable to himself and his adninistra-
uon' regardless OF how that county may
nave voted in the primary election.
This means that II Smith wins tbe norni-
nation for the governorship by the skin OF
his teeth throughout the whole State he
SHAH dominate the Democratic conven-
Ton and dictate the delegates TO the na-
uohal convention, regardless Of the opin-
Ion OF any minority. either county or
state Mr.. Smith IS known TO be an anti
Bryan man, and the Bryan men Construe
this as an attack on that gentleman.
They say that Smith wants TO be the
Democratic Vice Presidential nominee
himself, and that he Is against n delera-
ton instructed for the Nebraskan: that
ne wants to be in position 20 trade" at
Denver
His old association with Grover Cleve-
land is not forgotten. Tom Watson doesn't
urge that view himself-not being a
Bryan man-but he does say IL is an un-
lerhand attempt to turn over the manage
ment OF affairs in Georgia TO a half dozen
big city counties at the expense Of the
country" counties Hence arises another
tremendous anti-Hoke howl.
HOke in Hard Luck.
There IS no doubt that the governor IS
playing in hard luck. His opponents seem
TO have ammunition 10 spare. There IS
enough cited against him that Is true 70
Keep an ordinary man busy explaining
Tor year; there is enough cited against
him that isn't true to keep him busy the |
balance Of his natural life. In vain has
he attempted to make an issue other than |
hard times and Hoke Smith VS.. good
-imes-to-be and Joe Brown" He at
tempted 10 show a lineup OF anti-pro- |
nbitonists behind Brown. Investigation |
showed Browns prohibition record 20 be |
great deal better, and apparently more |
consistent than the governors. The gov |
ernor once owned third interest In a |
oarroom, and did not give II up until /
prohibition came, and he had to. he was /
shown to have once subscribed $500 10 an /
campaign fund in At |
ANITA; letters were dug up showing that
ne had advocated the sale of light wines
md beers as a compromise prohibition |
lhd anti-prohibition measure Brown,
ortunately for him i'm Georgia just now.
las prohibition record that is daisy"
de not only has never failed to vote for
prohibition. but he once refused to rent
piece OF property for a harroom at a
'ery fancy figure. He was considered.
II the time, something of a crank" for
ioing II; but It is tower Of strength 10
lin now. The Anti-Saloon League peo-
DE are probably largely for Brown.
hough number OF them are sticking to
smith In spite of ''hades ard high
vater." as they say
Brown Hns Best of II.
1t is the prevailing opinion in Georgia.
rom conservative men OF both sides
hat Brown has the best Of t. A revo,u-
ion seems to have set in that will be
iard to head Off. II 1t is possible at all
he governor knows It; his every friend
nd lieutenant knows It. He Is fighting
Tith the desperation of despair To be
efeated at all will be very bitter. 10 he
efeated by ugly little joe Brown win
q pill 10 which a dose OF raw ouinIne
you'd taste as sweet as South Georgia
nolasses.
To an innocent bystander, there Is an
lement OF the comic in the situation that
refreshing. That the great Hoke
mith boom could have swelled right un
allied right around. and collapsed right
own again-all In the space OF a
ew short and exciting months-seems
rotesque. The Smith men are ratified.
hey can't quite make II all out
Inc governor Is simply trying to run I
sainst several different kinds of a panic. ,
nd It's hard matter. as a rule. for |
andidate to run against even one va
ety.
Perhaps Georgia may catch its breath
efore the Democratic primary election
ext thursday, and hand Hoke the gov I
rhorshlp for another two years. The $
rooaollity Is. however, that Georgia will {
and MIN e lemon !