Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1910-03-15
Is H0KE SMITH AFRAID TO MAKE
THE RACE.

The political atmosphere OF Atlanta
is overcharged with gossip about a
compromise candidate for governor. It /
all bears a Smith brand. II generally /
begins and ends with the announce /
ment that If Gov. Brown doesn't run
for another term Hoke Smith will not,
and that If Gov. Brown viii accept a
compromise candidate ex-Gov. Smith
VIII also be willing TO accept such a
solution OF GeOrgta's gubernatorial
campaign.
Il is peculiarly apparent that all this
sort Of talk emanates from the Smith
side. As far as can be learned Gov
Brown and MS lieutenants are sitting
steady IN tLe boat, smiling calmly and
apparently thoroughly satisfied with
the outlook They have no reason for
anxiety as 10 the result if the Gov
ernor is nominated for a second term.
or If ne enters the field for such
nomination. His administration has
been thoroughly satisfactory to tie
people. There has been no vast
amount Of red fire and skyrockets
about II. 10 be sure, but it has been
sane, safe and legitimately conserTa-
tive. And that is what the people ex-
pected when they elected him and
what they have desired ever since he
took Office.
Some pitfuI efforts have been made.
TO create issues. efforts generally or.
iginating in the office Of the Atlanta
Journal, the chief voice for ex-Gov.
Smith. All Of them have fallen pitiful-
" fat. To begin with there was the ef-
fort 70 make great capital out of tie
Mitchell case in Townsville. Then
several other equally as futile efforts
followed in other criminal cases. Then
came the great treasury balance fasco.
These having all failed to influence
public opinion adversely recourse was
had to the Chattanooga terminal.
There was an effort TO raise a terrible
hullabaloo about tie governors fail
ure or refusal 10 buy the land in ques-
ton. The only result has been 10 d.
monsrate that the governor had taken
the right position, and to further
strengthen public confidence in his
judgment
t being apparent to even a blind
man that Gov Brown is stronger with
tls people to-day than when elected
or at any time since. the Smith lieu
tenants are resorting to another expo
dent TO secure the withdrawal of Gov.
Brown from the chair Of state at the
expiration of his first term. A con-
promise TO save the state the disturb
ances Of a holly contested election is
their plea at this time. Of course
former governor Smith could win.
hands down, you know. if he saw tit
TO enter the fight, but he really doesn't
care TO disturb the harmony of things
and is willing to periodically stand
aside and let some one else become
Georgia's next governor, provided, II
course, that ttat man is not Joe
Brown. It would be absolutely insult
ferable TO have Little Joe" fill the Of
fee for two terms when big Hoke"
only occupied it for one term.
Il is very kind of Mr.. Smith and his
aides in Atlanta to arrange for a com
promise. But really what has Gov.
Brown to compromise? Has he done
anything that makes him afraid to go |
before the people again for nomina-
ton? Is there any evidence of any
deep seated objection to his having a /
second term? Is there any reason to
believe that the people do not stand
ready TO re-elect him? Really isn't all /
this compromise talk from the Smith /
headquarters nothing but confession
of weakness. an acknowledgement that
former Governor Smith dares not run
the chance Of a second defeat, with all
the crushing effect it would have On
his senatorial ambitions? 1t would all
be very nice for the Smith managers
to arrange a compromise but really it
is hard to see why the people of Geor-
gia should become parties to such a
scheme.