Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1910-08-23
Crowded Theater ThunderS Its
Cheers Across the FootIight
as Former Governor Dis
CuSSes Issues of Democracy
WINS CHATHAM VOTES
BY DEFYING HIS CRITICS


mis- campaign for governor in spectacu-
ar meeting tonight in the midst Of the
people. who two years ago polled the
largest vote against him Of any county
in Georgfa Here, in what has been
DESIGNATED as the enemys stronghold.
Mr.. smith spoke with all the fire and
enthusiasm and compelling power that
characterized his address at the close
OF his first memorable campaign four
years ago
SPLENDID GATHERING.
Chatham county may still be against
him. but that she was glad 10 see him
and willing TO hear his side IN TINS
contest that is to be settled at the bal
lot box next Tuesday was abundantly
evidenced by the splendid gathering of
citixenry that crowded every seat ana
every inch OF standing room in the BIZ
jor theater when Hoke Smith rose 10
speak
If the greeting which the citizens OF
Chatham Numbered across the foot
lights was such as she gives 10 her
enemies. then indeed are the voters OF
this county the fairest and most hos
pitable to be found in the empire state
In the past two and a half days Hoke
Smith has been cheered along the banks
of the Chattahoochee and close 10 tne
border line OF Florida Tonight IN TINS
city of the old south. ana all that is best
Of the new when Hoke Smiths voice
rang ont in a plea and a challenge to
those who were supposed TO be fighting
him. the response that swept up TO him
from these splendid people who Ike the
ripuling waters of the Savannah river
was no different from that which met
him at Columbus. on the west. at VAL
doSta on the south. and at Waycross
and Jesup further east
Nrr smiths speech was decidedly the
most remarkable OF the whole campaign
and Is destined to have an effect, not
only in Chatham county, 10 the citizens
10 whom il was directly delivered, but
throughout the entire state. Mr.. Smith
stood by his guns tonight and hurled
defiance in a most masterful man
uer at his critics and that he won votes
in this county is beyond the shadow
of a reasonable doubt He injected
into his speech sensationally new fea-
lures and he handled his entire argu-
ment in a surprisingly new manner, so
surprisingly new. confidently, so mas
terfulIy. that he held the great audi
ence absolutely enthralled by his words
Taking up the question OF port rates
well on toward the end OF his discus
sion. Mr. Smith asserted that his po-
sftion had been misrepresented by a
Savannah morning paper that seemed
absolutely unable TO understand any
thing that he said This paper and
some of his other critics. he declared.
either did not want 20 understand or
else they were terribly stupid. Then
ne eIucfdated his position In such a
wav that when he had concluded the
vast audience rose up in a mighty OUT
burst of enthusiasm and approval that
viii sweep hundreds Of votes into the
ballot box next tuesday for the pro-
gressive standard
EXPLAINS PORT RATES
He explained that where the rail haul
is the shortest and the water haul the
longest the rate is manifestly the cheap
est When the Southern railroad own
ed the Central IL was to its interest,
he said, to divert traffic from the
port OF Savannah in order that IL might
profit by the long hauls TO the east
and west by rail. This point having
been nailed down. he declared that IL
was his position that the cost OF q
haul from any point in Georgia TO any
port and vice-versa- should De liked
solely on the basis OF just compensa-
ton for the carrier and not placed ex-
cessively high TO divert traffic from
ports like Savannah and swell the cof-
fers OF the railroads
Mr.. Smith said he was not worrying
about being governor. that the record
OF his two years administration Wnich
he had held up before his hearers was
sufficient TO compensate him for hum
ared defeats And, besides that, he de-
clared. he was going back into the gov
ernor'z office regardless OF how Chat
ham voted Once more Chatham seem
ed pleased with plain talk
Nr Smith declared that he would car
~ every county that he carried In nis
last race, with the possible exception
OF five. and that he would carry IN
addition half OF the counties which Gov
ernor Brown secured
CHEERS GREET PREDICTION
uus prediction so confidently made,
hurled out across the footlights. orousns
49, another thunderous answer from
the house
He said that he could afford 20 talk
,,1afnIv TO a community that rolled up
5000 majority against him, for ne De-
ueved they were just crazy 10 oome
hack and follow him. and the rrankness
and good nature OF the statement crep1
through the audience until there was
a chuckle from pit TO gallery that sno-
al I'm shouts OF laughter ana applause
Mr. Smith then showed how Increased
,r.ystn for a port ike Savannah or Bruins
,rtck land he felt q little partial 70
Tsrunswfclx because OF it's inability 10 ron
M such an immense vote against MIMI
vent into the commercial arteries OF the
state and benefited not one town or sec
tton hut all towns and all sections.
FELT NO BITTERNESS.
speakfng In all earnestness Mr. smith
natd the vote of Chatham against MIN
rad not aroused any bitterness In him
uhen Savannah had her automoolle
raees. he was Just happy TO make
A. possible for soldiers to patrol the roads
and insure the lives OF the people as II
Tire majority had been 1000 for him IN
stead OF against him In this ccnnec-
,fon he explained that he did not really
order the troops out. as II had been
charged he did. but simply gave permits
SION FOR them TO serve as volunteers And
cumming the whole thing up. he said. he
had TO apology TO offer TO Savannah ana
he didn't ask or expect one from her-
While on the subject Of railroad legisla-
ton Mr.. Smith called attention to the fact
that soon after his defeat the Central OF
Georgia road published statement,
showing increased earnings during the
manic OF $4,000. When he pointed this
fact out TO the public. Major Hanson re-
piled that the increase was due TO the
fact that the road had cut the wages OF
-