The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-07-20
RACE FOR GOVERNOR
MUCH S|MPL|F|ED
Candidate Hart Is Out of Run
ming in Georgia
THE CAMPAIGN rs QUIET
Very Little Noise Is Being Made By
the Candidates Either BY Speeches
or in the Columns of the
Newspapers

from the race for governor of John c.
Hart, former attorney general, who was
a candidate for three weeks, just long
the office which he has resigned, has
somewhat simplified the political situa-
ton.
Simplification comes chiefly in this:
With practically only two candidates in
the field, 1t is certain that one or the
majority of the vote in each county OF
the state. So there will be no necessity
of invoking, in the governors race, the
much-talked-of, much criticised primary
rule providing for the pro rating OF q
countys vote In case none of the can
didates received a majority.
The Hoke Smith organs had unloosend
their Jovian thunders on this rule; they
condemned 1t and cartooned It; they
ripped it up the back and then added a
couple of abdominal slashes for good
measure. Their Eliminating has come to
naught, SO far as making the rule cam
paign issue is concerned. for Judge Hart s
withdrawal makes any appeal to 1t I'M
necessary.
But Judge Hart as he himself realized
and pointed out in his statement, was
scarcely considered seriously as factor
in the fight. the fractional lineup be-
tween Smith and Brown having beer
steadfastly maintained, despite all over
lures of peace. Judge Harris announce
ment of his candidacy was scarcely peb-
ble-slze in the ripple it created on the
surface.
And SO he has passed from the po-
litical scene. but not without first point
ing out certain facts about the states
political status and the dangers which
beset it, which everybody knew, but
which no one had thought or taken the
trouble to put into cold type.
Legislation, executive action, almost
every governmental function, he de-
clared, including the business side of it
the states finances-has become ques-
ton of Joe Brown and Hoke Smith
One thing, however, Judge Hart fur
rished more real political news during
his brief candidacy than all of the other
candidates put together
Practically the only thing which either
of the other candidates have done-both
Brown and Smiths to state, Il am in
the race for governor" open headquar-
tiers and let 1t go at that.
Hoke Smith has not made a political
speech; Joe Brown has not written a
political card.
Despite which seeming inertia Judge
Hart finds 1t is political war and not
peace the people of Georgia want
There is no campaigning being done by
the candidates except by mail. or locally,
by the friends of the candidates In their
respective counties. Brown and Smith
clubs are being organized here and there,
but, despite the fact that Georgia stands
for political war, there is a notable lack
of the same brand of enthusiasm that
was manifested in the campaigns of 1905
and 1903.
Visitors some few comparatively, come
into headquarters and are received by
the candidates or by those representing
them; letters come by every mall and are
read and answered That is all there is
to 1t to date.
Even the issues. whatever they are,
do not seem to have been stirred up to
any extent, and, no doubt numerous
voters over the state are wondering what
they are.
However, as Judge Hart aptly put 1t,
ne ra phrasing his statement, the real
issues are Joe Brown and Hoke Smith
that's all the issue the average voter
seems to want.
That issue, at least, is known from one
end of the state to the other; 1t Is that
Issue which will be decided in the pri-
mary of August 49,