Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-07-18
Senator TerreFs Letter
To Gouemor Smith

Atlanta. Ca. July Is. 1911.
Hon Hoke Smith. Governor Of Georgia.
Atlanta
Dear Sir: Yours received. and / note
POUR contention that l am United
states senator from Georgia until my
successor presents his credentials before
the adjournment OF the general assem-
bly-unless. as you say. Il insist upon
my resignation" also note your ex-
preston OF superior obligation to mat
tiers now before the legislature. causing
you 10 insist upon my assuming duties
which the general assembly has specii-
caliy asked you TO undertake. transfer
ring thar task from me TO you In re-
ply. beg 10 say that for reasons given
IN my letter to you OF yesterday.
win not return 10 Washington to as
sumo duties which are yours. II would
be presumptuous for me 10 do So
There is. however. a way for the state
10 be properly represented In It's second
senMtorship II you refuse to give up
your present position TO assume the du-
ties OF this new one. The general as
sembly Is now in session IL can elect
another senator at once. III you feel
that YOU must stay here. notify the
general assembly that you viii not &C
cept the senatorship 10 which you have
been elected BY Il under the assump-
zion that you would go on to Washing
ton AT once Then let the general as
sernb1v fill this vacancy which Il can
40 nv Tuesday next II the senator 50
elected wishes TO do so. he may reHn-
ouish al your will. as you wish me to DO.
ana ycu may then give up the governor
ship after the adjournment Of the pres
ent session Of the general Assembly
Your vacating the Office OF governor
viii bring on a state election at once
At the preceding primary you may 60
heso-e the people FOR the senatorship
in manner that will give them an
opportuutty 10 name their senator. as
i have always favored
NY Interpretation OF the constitu-
fion Is settled The words Of that IN
strument and OF my commission are
zoo plain 10 admit Of controversy. NO
fine-spun reasoning viii permit me 10
accept a salary or 10 assume duties after
the election OF my successor. who has
the immediate right to the ONCE In
your letter you practically say that II
does not suit your plans TO now perform
your duties as senator. and. therefore.
YOU place on me the responsibility OF
leavfne Georgia only partially represent
ed on the mOmentous questions now
pending. unless I accommodate myself
70 your pleasure
When you pledged all the patronage
OF the governors once. and mus
tered an the influence at your COM
mand to acquire the senatorship. 1t
must have been with the understand
ing that you would perform its du-
ties. You doubtless did not appreciate
the offensiveness OF the suggestion in
your letter that 1 was recreant TO duty
IN not serving your directions Such re-
sponsibfiity 1 gladly assume as a native.
independent and seIf-respecting Geor-
gian-
Possibly you are remaining in office
10 bestow the patronage. without the
promise OF which you could not have
been elected ! so interpret the action
Of the senate OF Georgia in passing res
olutions about the matter. IL was prob
ably due to this consideration that you
have done the unprecedented thing Of
sending TO the Georgia senate the nomi-
nation OF a judge whose term does not