Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1911-07-13
SENATOR.ELRCT HOKE SMITH.

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Let us all eoncede it from the very
beginning, Hoke Smith will be prom
Iinent figure in the reconstructed Sem
ate that is just ahead and will play a
leading part in its deliberations and
actions from the very outset. With
his experience in public life as Secre-
tary of the Interior and as Governor
of the South's greatest commonwealth,
with his prestige as a leader OF polit-
Iical thought, with his past attitude as
a reformer, with his indomitable en-
ergy and wonderful capacity for sus-
tanned physical and mental effort, ne
must of necessity play leading role
on the Democratic side and be ac-
counted an additional element to the
strength of the party in the upper
body of the national legislature.
His ambition to be senator has never
been concealed. 1t has undoubtedly
been the guiding star of his political
actions. That ambition realized, ne
must be now actuated by the even
higher ambition of giving Georgia, and
the public generally, satisfactory SER
vice, service that will rebound to the
welfare of the people as whole. Only
by such service can he achieve higher
distinction, only by such service can
he make good" in the post to which
he has been called.
There is plenty for Senator-Elect
Smith to do in Washington to crafty
his love of work and to speedily as
sure the public, not only of Georgia
but of the country at large, that no
mistake has been made by the Democ>
racy of this state in electing aim as
Clay's successor. Duty imperatively
calls him to Washington. The recip-
rOcity question, the wool schedule and
other features of the revision of the
tariff, the popular election of Senators.
the Investigations of various kinds
projected or under Way-these call for
the presence of the new Georgia SEN
ator at the national capital These
important battles for the public have
not yet been won, every voice and vote
counts, and when the final call is made
it would be a sincere source of re-
greet to Democrats generally to have
Georgia represented by but one Sem
ator when it is entitled to two and has
two duly elected and qualified.
Congress is apt to be in session a
fortnight, at least, perhaps a month or
even longer. This session is one Of
paramount Importance to the country,
and especially to the national Demo-
cratic party. "A man cannot serve
two masters" it has been said, and
Gov Smith or Senator-Elect Smith,
cannot serve Georgia in two capacities.
Either he must for the time being re-
.pudiate and neglect his duties in the
Senate, or he must surrender ne
executive duties at Atlanta to his
constitutional successor, the presiding
officer of the State Senate, until an
election should be held. Some political
considerations may influence the SEN
ator-Elect to remain in Atlanta, but
if so it is case where political consid-
erations override and crush down the
manifest dictates of duty
The new Senator will make bad
beginning by a complete ignoring CT
the situation existing at Washington
and the shelving of his senatorial du-
ties until next December His work
now lies at the national capital. The
progressive element of the party in
the United States Senate will welcome
him as a strong and valuable ally-if
he comes-in the battle that is now on
against the vested interests and the
strongly entrenched benefciaries of
governmental fayoritism. How can he
close his ears to the call?