Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1910-11-29
THE UNExpIRED SENATORIAL TERM

The suggestion that special primary be held to fill the I'M
expired term of the late United States Senator Clay is unwar
ranted either by precedent by the principles OF
popular government.
In first place. Georgia just recovering from glut of
Time again this year politics has called the
pie away from their business There have been congressional
elections elections county elections city elections primaries
and second crowdng the other until the
public srfeted and business out for The order
of still another primary and special that to fill this
unexpired senatorial term would only to protrac cond
for which states peace and industry have already paid
primary would doubtless campaign with its
upheavas statewide agitation its demands
citizens time its money and energy Nothing
further from the peoples need desire. -...' A..
But addition this very practical consideration, that
bears the interests the the further
fact that primary to fill unexpred senatorial term wholly
without precedent Georgia pioneer the practice OF sub
mtting to the people the choice of United STAGES senator's
record of which proud But has she
fallen folly holding special election simply fill
unexpred of this office She has always left that duty
break with this motives that mpel
politicians of outwon and rpudiated machine for
ward at this the need
calling an extra election?
They might just logically that special primary
of the Stone Mountain circuit to fill udgeshp left vacant
by death or resignation
The truth they know we'll the people themselves
that according to law and sense unexpred term in
the must be filed by the Legislature in the present
be elected for full the situation
would be different and would call for different In such
however the time for regular primary would have
would
bers of the general assembly and for senatorial nominee and
legislator then elected would be bound support the
senatorial candidate whom the people had approved
But the present legislature chosen primary that in
sense involved the senatorial issue On this matter they were
called upon commit themselves Therefore though
special primary should be held this general assembly
would under the law be bound to the
such primary To be they would be morally mpeed
accept him but the point urged just That
ga plan for the popular election of United States senators
naming concurrenty the senator and the legislature,
which in the end must elect him. The federal constitution
vdes that senators must be elected by the legislatures of the
respective states In Georgia have around this difficulty
by holding the Democratic for the Legislature
for the United States naorshp the time But under
is obvious that vacancy in the senatorshp
it be filled temporarily by the legislature then in
when the people themselves will again nominate for full
tora term.
These facts well by public
of Georgia to call for more than restatement.
The truth is this present agitation for special primary
of all and practical simply scheme
the old political ring whose slate smashed 1906 and
1870 muddy the water much they hopes that their
leader will float to the top.
They want bring candidates possible the
field then by concentrating their strength
who is at the creature and the engineer of reaconay
political machine.
They we'll enough that the principle of popular elec-
tions for United States here involved
But what amazing zeal for popular elections they have sud-
denly developed To be what they have has
bearing this unexpred senatorial then they
brmfu of love for the people, afame with devotion
popular that they simply can't contain themselves
Satan still quotes Scripture when his designs.
But the people not fooled by this froh and When
owls to love the sunlight and moe live in treetops
wves take guarding sheep then the people will listen
this old gangs discourse on popular rights.
The Democratic executive committee should certainly
call special primary fill unexpired senatorial term,
would playing into the hands of repudiated politicians
whose sole desire is to further their personal ends