The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-07-14
RACE FOR GOVERNOR
TAKEN SERIOUSLY
Edward H. Walker Is Making
An Earnest Campaign
GEoRGIANS ARE AROUSED
While 1t Is Believed That Walker May
Not Win He May Control Enough
Votes TO Defeat Any One
of the Leaders

haps surprise some sections of the state
to know that there are persons who are
taking seriously the candidacy of Ed
ward H. Walker, ex-meyor of College
Park, for governor.
One of the Atlanta papers the other
day published pictures of the three can
didates-Hoke Smith, Joe Brown and
John Hart-to which several friends of
Mr. Walker took indignant exception, be-
cause his photograph had not been in
cluded in the number.
Walker is the only one who has, so far,
paid to the state executive committee
the $50 entrance fee. and he and his
| friends are making much of that fact.
There is more ande more indication that
Walker is going to get some votes There
| is no apparent likelihood that he will
carry a single county, but there are
quite a number of voters who are going
to cast their ballots for him.
While it is pretty certain that he will
carry no county, 1t is not at all certain
that he will not get here and there. I'M
der the pro rating system. one-fourth of
| a vote in the convention.
As little as may be thought of his can
didacy now, therefore. 1t is not at all
unlikely that he may have some slight
representation in the state convention
Judge Harris Following
That Judge Hart will have some rep
resentation in the convention is not ques-
toned. 1t is quite likely that he will
carry several counties; also that he will
get number of fractional votes under
the pro rating system.
With anything like a very close race
between Joe Brown and Hoke Smith, the
possibilities of a deadlocked convention
with Hart, or Hart and Walker holding
the balance of power are not at all Chi
merical.
| In fact. the politicians are already
specializing on that aspect of the mat
| ter.
And it is not embarrassing to speculate
on what might happen II the convention
should he about evenly divided between
Brown and Smith, with few votes In
the hands of Judge Hart representing
the actual control of the convention.
The hottest place in history, sacred or
profane would have to freeze over De-
| fore the vote of Smith went to Brown or
the vote of Brown to Smith
| If Walker should have any representa-
ton at all, it will doubtless be SO small
as to be negligible.
| In the event such situation snould
transpire, therefore, the question is, what
would Judge Hart do about 1t?
Transfer of Votes
| Consistency. it would seem, must pre-
vent his vote going either to Brown or
Smith, He is a candidate not or any
political faction, but of peace"
Then, again, partisans of both ractions
have made the charge that he announced
his candidacy In the interest of the other
side His friends know this not to be
the case but If his vote went 10 either
of the leading candidates in divided
convention the action world lend color
| to the charge.
Judge Harris vote in such an event
must therefore stand just as strong
ly and solidly together as that OF MI
| Smith or Governor Brown.
It is also quite improbable that the
vote of either of the other would
go to Hart, though he would stand
| better chance of getting 1t than
| either of the leading candidates.
| Thus dark horse possibilities become
apparent.
| On the other hand, of course, Smith
or Brown may get majority vote. IL
| will be recalled, however, that the vote
In 1908 was comparatively close one
| In round numbers Smith received 49,
900 and Brown 10000; little more
than 5000 votes would have changed
| the result
| with a vote as close as that this
time It would not be at all surpris-
ing If Hart should hold the balance
of power. So 1t Is no idle talk
| No Dark Horses in Race
sneculation. however, has not gone
to the point of trotting any dark horses
from under cover.
Besides that is thing which might
not come anywhere near developing
| until the convention meets for BUSH
ness.
The convention meets September /,
or lust nine days after the primary.
and II the primary result should In
dictate a deadlocked convention there
would be some tall timber politics
worked within those nine days.
The Brown and Smith Campaigns just
now seem to be following in each
others tracks Governor Browns friends
rented headquarters for him in this
/ Kimball House as soon as Hoke Smith
announced, hut they were not formally
opened until this week. Mr.. Smith
opened headquarters shortly thereafter
in the Peters building.
The selection of Reuben Arnold Of
Atlanta as the Smith campaign man.
ager in Fulton county only was an
nounced a few days ago. Then w
o. Stamps, a we'll known merchant
was elected president of the Fulton
County Joe Brown club with very sim
liar duties.
Neither side has selected a general
| campaign manager. 1t was announced
a few days ago that j. II. Smith, who
managed the Brown campaign in 1908,
would take the same Job this year.
Perhaps he Will, but not right away.
Mr.. Smith will leave the city this week
with his family for his summer vaca
ton and does not expect to return
until August s. Upon his return, he
stated to friends, it Is possible he will
take hold and render what assistance
he can between that time and the pri-
| mary.
Mr.. Smith expressed confidence that
the Brown forces were in good shape.
He thought the campaign was rockins
along, now just about like the people
wanted to see 1t and he did not con-
slider there was any occasion for fur
Their stirring things up.
On account of the