Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1910-06-14
JUDGE LAWSON WILL NOT
RUN FOR GOVERNOR
BY W. B. sEABRooK.

BIZ w. Is. SEABROOK.
Especial Staff Correspondence OF The
JournaD.
EAToNTON. Ga. June I0-Judge
Thomas G. Lawson will not be 6. candi-
date for governor.
This announcement was made by Judge
Lawson this morning to the committee
representing the mass meeting at which
he was nominated for governor In Eaton
ton a few days ago.
Since the action of the monster mass
meeting at which he was Endorsed. the
Lawson movement has rapidly gained
popular support throughout the state and
great pressure was brought to bear upon
him to enter the field. While his assur-
ances of support were very gratifying,
he says he finds 1t will be inconsistent
for him to accept the compliment bestow-
ed and while wishing to serve his state
and his friends in the highest Office in
the gift Of the commonwealth, he must
decline and, therefore, request the with
drawal OF his name.
Until the hour of his official utterancs
1t was generally believed here that he
would become a candidate and his state
ment has caused universal regret in
Eatonton this morning.
A NATIONAL FIGURE.
Not only was this regret felt In Eaton
ton and Putnam county, the home of the
Judge, but throughout the state, for
Judge Lawson was recognized as one OF
the really important men of the state.
He served in congress with Crisp. Ran
dali and Roger Q. Mills. and he ranked
in ability and craftsmanship with any OF
these leaders of the Cleveland adminis-
tration, one Of the most distinguished in
American history. He would have given
to the state the result of his wonder
full range of experience in. public life. as
we'll as his high integrity and ability
Although Judge Lawson is past 20, he
is more vigorous mentally and physically
than most men much younger Barely
two years ago he addressed a political
meeting for nearly two hours, in the
brofling sun, and made as forceful and
sustained a speech as any of the younger
men who spoke
The thing that deters many able men
from entering public life-lack OF means
would not have deferred Judge Lawson,
for he was possessed of considerable
fortune.
HIS GREAT LIBERALITY.
Judge Lawson acquired this fortune in
the practice of law, and accumulated it
despite his great liberality. One story in
this connection they tell Of him which is
typical.
AS Judge he was once called on to pass
on a case which affected the rights of
widow to a certain piece Of land, which,
in this case. happened to be her home and
all the property she owned.
IT so happened that the law was plain
this poor woman would have TO give p
her land. There was nothing else for the
court to do but to direct verdict against
her This he did.
No sooner had Judge Lawson done this
than he bought In the place with his own
money. and restored It to the widow.
Judge Lawson is deeply religious. and
was a leading figure in the affairs Of the
Raptist denomination, which he helped
support both with money and his Work
and influence.
In national politics. he Yves what was
known as a Cleveland gold Democrat,
snd at a time when "Coin" Harvey's
1s-to-1 doctrine swept the country, he
remained steadfast for the gold standard.