Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1910-12-16
REAL NEWSPAPER WORK.
CNewpOrt News Times-HcraldJ


For some time past Thos E. Watson
has been making the vilest charges
against Governor-elect Hoke Smith, of
Georgia. He finally undertook to in
duce F. l.. Seely, editor of the Atlanta
Georgian, to join with him in his cru
sade against Mr.. Smith. In letter
dated October 81, he said:
al can substantiate every charge I
have made against him--and the worst
has not been told. Before making the
accusations public, gave him a fair
opportunity to resign, out of considera-
tion for his wife and son; but he re-
fused to avail himself of it and paid
no attention to my letter.
"His withdrawal is absolutely de-
manded for the sake of the public ser
vice, public morals and the good of the
country. Think of governor of Geor-
gia base enough to take advantage of
his official position to wrong women
breadI
eff you will back me up in this, you
can not only crush Hoke Smiths paper,
which does not deserve to exist, but
you can render as inestimable service
to our state as you did in your fight on
the convict lease system.
As public journalist Mr.. Seely felt
constrained to investigate the charges
and wrote to Mr.. Watson for his evil
dence. Watson cited him to several
persons, with each of whom he conlmu-
nicated. One replied that he knew alb
solutely nothing of the charges. An
other declined to make a statement.
Another denounced as false Watson's g
statement, so far as he was concerned.
Another, a woman, made affidavit that
Mr.. Smiths conduct towards her had
been that of gentleman.
Editor Seely then communicated with
Watson by telephone and Watson ad-
mitted that he had no proofs, affidavits or
definite information to substantiate the
grave charges he had brought against
Mr.. Smith.
In summing up the case Mr.. Seely
says:
1--WE believe Hoke Smith has felt at
times that The Georgian was his en-
emy. We do not know what his opinion
of our action in this matter will be
Nor do we know what will be his own
action.
"It is unbelievable to us that Mr..
Watson could have made so grave
charges without any tangible evidence
and solely upon hesrsay, but such seems
to be the case.
| 'The Georgian is compelled TO say,
however, that not the first suggestion
of foundation in fact has been obtain
able, and that, after the employment
of the best talent, detective, legal and
otherwise, even giving his political en-.
emies every opportunity to supply facts
or evidence, we must say unequivocally
in the interest of square deal. that
Hoke Smith is as innocent of miscon
duct, moral or otherwise, as any mar
in Georgia-at least, since the years Of
his public life-and we doubt if there il
a man in the state who is interested
beyond that at this time"
The Georgian is competitor of tn,
Atlanta Journal, which is understoo,
, to be owned or controlled by Mr.. Hok
, Smith and that Mr.. Seely should hav
: taken the pains to investigate the cas-
and then to publish conspicuously in hi
own newspaper the full text of tn
evidence and his verdict of acquitts
was an act of manliness and chivalr
which shows him to be gallant ma
and worthy editor. He is an homo
to the profession.
/, But what shall be said of the ma
: who has thus sought to destroy tn
character of the Governor-elect of hi
State, without a particle of proof t
sustain his infamous charge? But MI
Watson is outside of our jurisdictio
and we leave his own State to deal wit
him.