The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-11-21
RACE FOR SENATOR
MAY GROW ACTIVE
Hoke Smith Promises to Be
Factor in Georgia Race
QUESTION OF PRIMARY
Joseph NJ. Terrell, who Hns just Been
Appointed Senator, Wants
Primary to Settle the
Matter
QUESTION OF PRIMARY

senatorial situation grows more interest
ing with the appointment of Joseph M.
Terrell for the ad interim term, until the
meeting of the legislature in June.
One of the absorbing topics now is
whether there will be a state primary for
the rest of Senator Clay's unexpired
term.
Another is whether or not Gov.-elect
Hoke Smith will get into the race.
Governor Terrell, 1t is stated, wants a
primary. He has always stood for cleo
ton of senators by the people, and as the
primary is the nearest thing to popular
election, he has expressed the opinion 10
his friends that he would like to see a
primary called.
In fact, Governor Terrell's, or rather
Senator Terrells friends quote him as
saying that he proposes to write to
Chairman W. c. Wright of the state ex-
ecutve committee and request him to
call the committee together with view
to arranging for primary for the sem
atorship.
But whether that would bring it on or
not is question. It is well known that
the executive committee throughout Is
fdoKe smith cOInflllllee, dllu "he'iSi
or not there is a primary will probably
depend on whether or not Mr. Smith
wants one.
If Smith should Enter
If there should be a primary and Mr..
Smith should enter the race he would
OF COURSE have to eliminate the other
candidates who are running upon the
same political principles.
He would have to get rid of Congress
man Hardwick and Judge Covington or
Moultrie. and any others who might get
in the way, SO as to give him free
field against Terrell.
On the other hand, If there should
be no primary. Mr.. Smith would not
have to announce in advance OF the
meeting OF the legislature. He could let
the matter just rock along, and as many
candidates enter as pleased and then,
In the event the legislature became nope
lessly tied up he might come In as
compromise candidate. provided the OPP
position to Terrell mustered SUFFICIENT
strength to put him through.
His friends on all sides are now urging
him to get into the race. They are
pointing out to him, according to the
Atlanta Journal. that he ran for gov
ernor for this purpose of sustaining the
principles for which he stood; that ne
has indicated them and secured the elec-
ton of a legislature favorable to them
which will prevent their repeal; that ne
has a majority of approximately 3D. so
they estimate, in the general assembly
on Joint ballot, and that there Is no
reason why he should not realize the
political ambition of his life and go TO
the Senate.
Term of Service
It is also suggested, but upon what
ba is not exactly clear. that Mr.
Smith could serve as governor until De
cember, 1911, since If he were elected
he would not have to take his seat IN the
Senate until that time. 1t would az
least be something unique for tne sanis
man to hold the office of governor and
Tinted States senator at one and the
some time. whether or not 1t is contrary
to law. 49,.
Mr.. Smith wants to go to the Senate,
and there Is no question that he is mop
ing that some contingency will come
about In the present situation WHICH
will land him there.
Governor Terrell's friends deny that
Mr. smith is as strong in the legisla-
ture as the friends of the latter seek
to make out ~,
IT is not denied that majority OF the
members of the present legislature were
for Mr.. Smith for governor, but II Is
claimed that some of those VINO were Ior
Mr. Smith for governor VIII hoe suPPoi
him for the Senate.
Az a matter of fact Senator Terrell mas
received among the numerous letters
that have come to him half a dozen let
ters from LEGISLATORS who supported MT.
smith for governor, declaring they would
vote for him for the Senate. How many
others there may be remains to be dis
covered
should Remain Governor
Rut It is evident there are some VINO
thing that Governor-elect Smith, now
that he has been elected to the position
~ 1overnor. should serve through his
term In that capacity, rather than turn
n down TO seek other honors, and at the
Same time bring another election Tor
governor upon the state.
II Is generally believed that Mr.. silli'si
election as governor is Responsible 1or
his not launching his campaign TOT sen.
ator at once; that he would rather wall
and see lust what is the temper or the
neonIe and whether they would be VIII
Ing 10 undergo another election Tor gov
ernor In order to permit MIN 10 reaiiAo
bis senatorial ambition. .
All in all, despite the announcement Ui
uardwick and Covington, there is sui
every Indication that the contest Is go
inc to be a hard fought one between
Terrell and Smith.
The campaign has begun and from now
an members of the legislature may e1-
,,eot 10 he flooded with letters and per-
sonal interviews on the part OF canol-