The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-07-04
RACE FOR GOVERNOR
SLOW IN GEORGIA
Hoke Smith Makes Speech in
Spalding County
A STATEMENT BY HART
Might Be Against Him But This
Does Not Seem to Bother Him
in the Least


Atlanta, July 3.-(specialo-The guber-
material race appears to be little slow
In the start; the candidates appear to be
still waiting for the word Col"
The lineup is we'll formed, but it looks
like a waiting game.
1t is true, the first speeches were made
the past week, Hoke. Smith speaking at
Mt. Zion, in Spading county, where he
| delivered an educational speech, and
Judge John C. Hart speaking at Green's
boro, in his home county, for the pur-
pose of convincing the friends at home
that his race is really serious matter
Mr.. Smith, as he stated was his pur-
pose, practically left politics out of his
discussion, except as to his reference to
the matter of prompt payment for the
school teachers. 1t is we'll known that
he disagrees with the 100000 bond issue
plan as presented by Governor Brown.
Among other methods Mr.. Smith believes
the same end can be attained by increas-
ing the governors borrowing capacity to
supply casual deficiencies in the state
treasury.
Mr. Smith also Is scheduled to make an
other educational speech in Hart county
on Monday, and, 1t is stated. this will be
along the lines of his Spaldlng county
speech OF course, the former governor Is
not averse on these occasions to hand
shaking with the boys and telling them
how things are looking and talking over
the situation
Harris Statement
Judge Harris statement regarding the
situation in his home county is looked
upon as unique in the history OF state
politics For a candidate to admit that
it is even possible that it looks like
his home county is against him, for any
reason whatever, is regarded as the worst
of bad politics. But Judge Hart seems
to have decided to face situations as he
sees them. Therefore, actuated by the
report that his home county was still d.
vided along fractional lines as between
Brown and Smith, he went down to
Greensboro today to have a confidential
talk with the home folks from the
stump.
He said he was going there to give them
his reasons personally as to why he en-
tered the race, and he expressed the hope
and belief that they would accept him
as the candidate of peace. What effect
his speech had will probably be known In
a day or two after they have had time
to talk 1t over.
The fact that Senator Clay will openly
support Hoke Smith means that ire
mendous effort will be made to carry
Cobb. Governor Browns home county, for
the ex-governor.
Denial BY Hoke smith
| 1t is emphaticaily denied at Hoke
Smiths headquarters that any charge
emanates from Mr. Smith or any of his
close friends to the effect that Judge
Hart was in conference with Judge Ham
ilton McWhorter before making his an
nouncement, or to the effect that Judge
Hart rides on railroad passes-charges
which Judge Hart emphatically denied.
While it is admitted that such state
ments may have been made by some Wis
itor in Smith headquarters. 1t is stated
that neither the candidate nor his friends
indorse such charges.
While there are divided opinions as to
the strength of Smith and Brown, accord
ing to the point of view of the men en-
pressing the opinion, there Is remark
able unanimity among the politicians al
least that Judge Hart is making of him
self a political sacrifice to a principle
one in which he undoubtedly believes sin
cerely, but to which the people are not
taking to any such extent as he had
hoped.
So far not one of the candidates has
written a card to the newspape RS; that
is, no card of any serious proportions
or purport dealing with issues involved
in the campaign. There have been a few
brief statements given out and several
short interviews but nothing approaching
a serious campaign discussion.
Popularity of Candidates
ALI of the candidates are learning some
thing at least about the extent of their
popularity They keep busy from day
Ito day receiving callers and reading let
tiers and kilograms with which their desks
are piled high daily. In these are con-
tanned all sorts of assurances about con-
ditions In the various counties, and 1t
would not be surprising If comparisons OF
letters from the same county to different
candidates presented widely divergent
views as to conditions in that county
Only seven weeks remain for the con-
duct of the campaign, but It IL generally
believed the people OF Georgia will have
gotten q sufficiency of 1t within that time.
One of the first documents OF conse-
ouence In connection with the race will
come from Governor Brown. This will be
his message to the general assembly stat
ing his reasons for declining to purchase
the land near Chattanooga as terminal
property for the Western and Atlantic
railroad. now in course of preparation,
and which will be submitted to both
houses early next week.
This, Of course, will be state docu-
ment But 1t will also, In a measure, be
t-zp >&~~ In ~l,~-<
Brown and criticism Of his action have
been published broadcast over the state,
as the result OF his refusal to buy this
property. 1t is said 1t will be strong
and pointed message and owing to condi-
tons, there is far more intense interest
In 1t from a political standpoint than as
state document