Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1910-05-17
Representative Business and
Professional Men Act at the
Meeting Following Former
Governors Defamation
DECLARE HE MUST OBEY
VOICE OF THE PEOPLE
Call on State for Expressions
and Adopt Vigorous Resolu-
tions-WiII Also Call Meeting
of Smith Club

,--,- srutthta announcement that he
.or,a not be q candidate for governor,
wheu so or more OF the city's most rep
rexeutasivs business and professional
men gathered In q meeting In the Offices
81 W. woods white In the Gambler
building, and voiced q protest In reso-
luttons against his determination
These resolutions followed the read
ing Of a letter addressed by Mr. Smith
10 II. =. Mocor6. In which Mr. Smith
.hanksd his friends who 50 earnestly
sesired lis candidacy. but declared that
nersoual reasons stood In Ine way OF
his acceptance.
The resolution. which appears in full
under another head. protests against
Mr. Smiths retirement from active par
liberation in the campaign and against
ais declinstion-
The resolution also calls on the peo-
pie Of the state to make known their
views and wishes in the premises
NO NEED OF CAMPAIGN
The men who attended the meeting
II course recognized the spirit In which
Mr.. Smith declined to allow his name
% be used but they argued that his
following in the state was now so
strong. as several present testified on
knowledge obtained through correspond
snce and in personal conversation with
people throughout the state, that there
would be no necessity for campaign
n the usual acceptance OF that term
It was shown that the sentiment was
so Overwhelmingly In favor Of Mr.
Smith entering the race that the people
themselves would act without persua-
Eton. and that at the most he would
ave 90 make but few campaign speech
-.
A point rs deeply stressed was that
he organization formed and thu prtnci-
slss instillsd In the past few years
sinee Mr.. Smith has become . factor
the civic life Of the state, are or
.aeh importance that they must DO pre-
-srved At all costs.
That this feeling exists was indicat-
ID by the further determination OF those
present to send out copies OF petitions
III through the state. urging Mr.. Smith
d change his determination Further
more. il was decided on some day this
eek to be determined later. to call
meeting of the entire membership OF
ne Fulton County Hoke SEith club. to
show Mr. Smith how deeply his sup
lOrters feel the need OF his entering the
ace
Mai. r. J. Quinn struck the keynote
= the meeting, when. after he had read
= Smiths letter TO Mr.. McCord, beg
ing TO be excused from becoming a
..ldidate. he said;
PEOPLE DEMAND 1T.
The people Of the state simply viii
go stand for Mr. Smiths refusal I
Eve seen and talked with them.
.ow how they stand. We simply must
nfwa efnrF and
e reforms We have accomplished 70
20 stale, they declare"
Woods white. voicing the same opin-
In. said;
we must remember, too, that while
- can all understand the motive for
IT. Smiths refusal. this win not be
.smpaign in the usual sense Of the
lord. Sentiment was never 80 strong
.cr Mr.. Smith and what he represents
- 10 Is now. It would not be neces-
Isy for him 20 make extended cam
-zign-possibly q half dozen speeches
Eouid be ell that would be necessary
n his part"
Both Mr. White and Major Quinn
ought that the voice of the people OF
p e state would be so irresistible that
r. Smith simply could not persist in
Is refusal
Ernest L. Rhodes declared that the
-eOpIe had set their hearts on Mr..
md must not be disappointed.
Perhaps no such nattertng demonstra-
ion has ever been given q public man
n t1ts state, and those present declar-
ID that e was reelected in every coun-
- cs Georgia. and that the voice Of the
-sopIe so expressed would not be ST.
enced-
II vas then decided to adopt a resolu-
ion 10 this effect, and after some dis
,ussion as to the wording of this reso-
ution. W. d. Harwell moved that
committee Of three be named to draft
. resolutions in their final form
COMMITTEE PERFECTS MOTION.
Ir. HarweIls resolution was unani-
nuusIy adopted. and the following were
named on the committee: Hon Hooper
Alexander; Major r. J. Quinn, and Col.
4. T. Daley.
This committee then retired. and re-
urned shortly with the resolutions az
hey appear In final form. These reso-
utions were adopted amid enthusiasm.
II was then decided informally by
hose present TO call a meeting OF the
Fulton County Hoke Smith club some
line this week. The date was not def
itely decided on. but will be later and
call issued.
II in now believed that there will be
Tuch q response from the rest or the
rtate during the coming week that Mr.
smith cannot choose but change his de-
termination not to be candidate. Many
VI those present at the meeting are en-
ragged in business which takes them out
" towr from time 20 time, and lately
hey have noted the enormous senti-
uent for Mr.. Smith
They declared yesterday that a simple
announcement from Mr.. Smith that ne
1ad altered his determination, and
rouId enter the race. would bring him
TiCtoFy.
Hundreds OF letters have been Teceiv-
II voicfng this opinion 1t is believed
hat such pressure will be brought TO
rear on Mr. Smith that he cannot resist
he appeal OF the people.
Mr.. McCord said that already many
editions had been sent through the
state. and that they were meeting with
4 warm reception wherever received.
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