The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-08-11
Future of Hoke Smith.

Hoke Smiths future political career is the subject of persistent discussion just now in view of the attitude of the present general assembly along various lines, and the fact that as a whole it seems to be generally in accord with his policies.
 Perhaps the action of the legislature in removing from office Chairman S. G. Me Lendon of the railroad commission, fol- lowing his suspension by Governor Smith, has had, more than anything eles, a bearing upon this talk.
 The removal of McLendon is considered a political triumph for the former gover- nor which promises to have important bearing upon his future political career
 It is known that he does not again want the office of governor but that his ambi- tion is to go to the United States senate.
 The question is will a successful cam paign for the senate be possible following his defeat for governor. unless that de- feat is retrieved by first returning to the latter office. Many of the former goyer- nors friends think the thing for him to do is to oppose Joe Brown for governor next year. when they believe he can be elected, then to step from the governors office into the senatorial chair.
 There is plenty of time for this as there Is no election for senator for three years to come, following the expiration of the term of the governor who succeeds Gov ernor Brown.
 While MT. Smith doesn't want to be governor again. accepting his own state ments to that effect, the successful out come of the McLendon case, from his standpoint, has made them more insistent than ever that he shall stand for another term in the executive office.
 Then, too, Hoke Smith was the first gov ernor of Georgia ever denied a second term, and his defeat by Joe Brown after he had served but one term, contrary to political precedent, still rankles.
 Altogether therefore, It would not be prevail upon him to make an effort to ''get eyen' with Joe Brown as well as to try to make the governors office a stepping stone to the senate.
 The former governor is still right in the thick of politics. Politicians are calling on him and writing to him. His friends among the members of the legislature have held frequent conferences with him during the session. and 1t has been un- mistakably apparent that votes both on the floor of the house and the senate have been controlled by his views.
 He Is still therefore, an evident political factor and his career as such will be watched with no small interest.
 Report on Railroad Property.
 The house committee on the Western and Atlantic railroad, which recently made an investigation of the affairs of the states railroad property, has made re- port recommending the purchase by the state of 70 acres of land near Chattanooga upon which former Gov. Hoke Smith se- cured an option, for the purpose of en- larging the terminal facilities of the road In Chattanooga.
 a which the land is offered reasonable one, and states that 1t will be impossible to enlarge the roads terminals by &C., quiring any additional land in the heart of the city In addition to this consider able of the property which the state owns in Chattanooga, in the center of the busi- ness district, is too valuable to be used for terminal purposes. It is said the is near at hand when this central property can be rented for nearly ns much as the railroad itself.