Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-06-30
. JOHN DOE WOULD
ENTER SENATORIAL
RACE IF POSSIBLE.
Resolution Calling for Sena-
toriaI Primary Not Yet In
troduced-Smith Men Pre-
dict Its Failure

Those who today expected to get line
on the senatorial situation through the
introduction and possible consideration cf
a resolution. referring the question back
to the people, were disappointed. The res
olution made fits appearance in neither
body, and by some this is regarded as
an evidence of weakness on the part CT
the patrons of the movement.
1t was stated at noon, after the two
houses had met in joint session to carr
vass the vote for governor and declare
the result. that the resolution might he
introduced Friday, in which event 1t was
conceded that 1t might lie on the table
for a few days.
Senator Graham. Of Grady county, who
intended introducing the resolution in the
senate. admitted that he had decided to
delay it's Introduction after he had held
a conference With Governor Brown con-
corning the subject matter OF the measi-
ure.
Representative T. d. Massengale, OF
Warren county, who was TO have Offered
the resolution in the house, explained
that It had been his purpose to intr3-
duce the measure by request, adding
that he purposed voting for Governor
smith for senator If the opportunity Of
fered. The Introduction Of any bill OF
resolution by request relieves its ai-
thor of further responsibility for 1t, ard
Is usually taken as an evidence OF bis
opposition to It
NOT WARMLY RECEIVED.
Noised about the Hobbies OF the KIM
ball and about the halls of the capitcl.
that the referendum resolution" was 70
be urged upon the legislature. 1t may be
stated that this information did not
arouse any wild enthusiasm among tie
members. Some seemed to regard 1t as
shrewd political move. made in the hope
of bringing about a prolonged deadlock
The legality of the procedure was sert-
ously questioned IN many sources KEEP
resentafive Hall of Bibb, leading con-
gtftutional lawyer Of the legislature, WIS
ountspoken in his opposition to the RESP
luton. according to those who talked
with him. He takes the position that
the law requires the legislature to begin
haIlotinx for a United States senator On
the second Tuesday after its assembling,
and that both the intent and spirit Qf
the law meant that the assembly should
ballot In good faith in an effort to dis
charge this obligation.
Some legislators rather ridiculed the
idea of the Georgia general assemblies
Iaw-making body-cailing upon parIi-
san political organization to help It dis
charge the duty which all of the mem
NerH are HWDI4 70 u41CAA0A 8 = - = - ~-~E
rested. IN this connection that the reso-
luton. calling upon the Democratic state
committee to hold primary. would also
be discriminatory as against the Repul3-
lican and Populist parties Moreover
they contended that this legislature had
no means of knowing whether the Demor
cratic state committee or the several
Democratic county committees would
call a primary. even at the request eT
q. g.
might be left unrepresented In the
United States senate.
TEXT OF RESOLUTION.
Although the resolution as originally
drafted-py whom is not definitely lnowa
was not formally presented, the fol-
lowing Is the substance Of It's con-
tents:
whereas. the Democratic national
ulatform favors elections OF Unitea
States senators, and,
whereas the state Democratic plat
form is committed to the elections CT
United States senator by the direct vote
of the people, and,
whereas. there will soon be a vacancy
in the United States senate from the
state of Georgia, and.
Whereas, the people have not express
ed their wishes in primary,
Therefore be It resolved, That the gerl-
eraI assembly of Georgia request the
state Democratic executive committee TO
call a primary for July % for the noni-
nation Of a candidate for the Uniteh
States senate; and. be it,
Further resolved, that IN the mean
time, pending the primary nomination.
the general assembly OF Georgia, be-
ginning on July 18th. In compliancs
with the law. ballot daily for United
Gle faa cana f0r and hA IL
Further resolved. that the members
OF the general assembly OF Georgia
cast their votes for John Doe on these
several ballots. pending the action OF
the promary.