Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1910-09-06
WATSON FAILS TO
STAMPEDE PARTY
WITH HIS THREATS
His Probable Independent
Candidates Decline to Enter
tain His Suggestion to 0p-
pose Regular Nominee

Judge Richard B. Russelrs clear dec
laration of his loyalty to the Democratic
party of Georgia, his high regard for the
binding obligations of the recent primary,
and his purpose to support for governor
the regular nominee, Hoke Smith, has
completely disposed of the three 'possi-
bilities" suggested by Thomas e. Wat
son, in his avowed intention of bringing
out independent opposition to Governor
Smith and four or five congressional nom
inees. Governor Brown has indicated
that he doesn't purpose to make the race
independently against the nominee, and
State Treasurer ]. Pope Brown, another
of those mentioned by Mr.. Watson. says
he has never contemplated such thing
and is now, as he has for years been,
the warm personal and political friend
of Hoke Smith, and also an organized
Democrat
Judge Russell, seen yesterday afternoon
in regard to the use of his name by Mr..
Watson, declared there were at least a
thousand good reasons why he wouldn't
consider for a second any suggestion from
any source that he become an independ-
ent candidate for governor. He said he
had always stood squarely by the nomi-
nees of the party, and expected to con-
tinue to do so in the future.
Mr. Watsons verbatim statement made
to a representative of The Journal on
yesterday was not quite so emphatic as
was his original declaration, published In
the Atlanta Constitution yesterday morn
ing. There is no doubling the fact, how
ever, that he is determined, If possible,
to bring out opposition to the Demo-
cratic nominee for governor, and also
encourage and support independent can
didacies for congress in tho First, Sew
enth, Eighth, Tenth and Eleventh dis
tricts.
And while there is little doubt as to
his intention in respect to these independ-
ent candidates., there is much doubt as
to the successful elimination OF his
desire There is considerable doubt about
his ability to induce independent candi-
dates to make the races he suggests.
The scant encouragement which his
suggestion concerning the governorship
has received from the three men he
toned as possibilities is regarded, gem
orally, as Indicative of disposition that
will Illustrate his plans in tnss connec-
ton. In a word, it is believed that his
desire to have Hoke Smith opposed will
bear no fruit, and the same is true Of a
majority Of his proposed congressional
campaigns
Concerning opposition to Governor-elect
Smith, Mr.. Watson was quoted in yes
terday's Constitution, as follows: e..
There will be an independent candi-
date in the race for election to the Of
FIVE of governor in the general election
this fall Hoke Smith, who was nomi-
mated in the primary election, will have
opposition. That is certain.
There will be an independent candi-
date. 1 will use all my influence to Sc
cure the consent of Governor Brown to
make the race. Should he refuse. there
is Pope Brown, or Judge Dick Russell,
who may run. II none Of these will make
the race, there will be candidate In the
field against Mr.. Smith, anyhow" -..-,- . 4
In the verbatim statement published in
The Journal yesterday afternoon, Mr..
Watson was slightly less positive, and
decidedly more general in discussing his
plan for independent opposition to Hoke
Smith and several Democratic nominees
for congress. He said:
"As to the Independent ticket which I
am already quoted as pledging in oppo-
sition to those chosen by the recent
primary / can only say that In my judg--
ment the people themselves will demand
that Governor Brown continue in the
race, that Bill Fleming allow himself to
be elected the representative of the
Tenth congressional district, that Sam
Tribble will run right on into the gen.
eral election without regard to what
do, that Judge Nose Wright will do the
same thing, that Enoch Giles will do
the same thing, and that we will have
out candidate against Bill Brantley.
one Of the deserters who went over to
the Republicans and gave them the rules
which enabled them to advance the cost
of living"
There still fingered in Atlanta last
night a numbr of politicians who had
Iattended the state convention, many of
whom had also heard Mr.. Watson's audi
forum speech. The opinion among these
men was that Mr. Watsons plan for OPP
position to the Democratic nominees
furnished no cause for alarm. Even those
who believed he might possibly succeed
in bringing out all of the independent
candidates he suggests were of the opin-
ion that none Of the regular nominees
of the Democratic party would expert
ence difficulty in overcoming the oppo-
sition at the general elections.
Mr. Watson himself returned yesterday
afternoon to his home at Thomson. He
left Atlanta at o'clock via the Georgia.
railroad.
ALL A. InIoNonIont