Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-04-12
HUTCHENS TELLS WHY HE
CHANGED TO UNDERWOOD
Campaign Manager Com
mentS on Card From ], {,
RoSSer
ATLANTA, Ca, April 9, lgl2.

ATLANTA, Ga, April 3, 1917
Editor Journal:
I see in your issue of yesterday april
81 an article written by Mr.. ]. E. Ross
er, of Walker county, which was headed:
''Underwood's Georgia Manager Was for
Wilson in January"
I trust that you will grant me space
for the publication of the following, in
as much as you gave prominent notice
in the publication of Mr.. Rosser's card.
1t has been my purpose and is still
my purpose. to manage Mr.. Underwoods
campaign in Georgia, free from all per-
sonalities, and I am sure that 1 have
adhered to this policy at all times. /
shall not now suffer myself to be drawn
into a controversial campaign, especially
upon matters so remotely connected with
the issue involved in the approaching
presidential primary, as that which SEEM
ed to have interested my friend from
Walker. The people OF Georgia are not
interested about any mans previous or
present preference nor do they care what
his future preference may be. They are
no more concerned about the present
preference OF either myself or Mr.. Rosser
the people are interested in the public
record of the two candidates most prom
inently before the people of Georgia and
their fitness and availability to serve the
interests of the Democratic party and the
country.
In Mr.. Rosser's article. he criticises
me for supporting Mr.. Underwood, when
he says in January I spoke commend
able of the qualities of the New Jersey
governor and in the same article admits
himself that he was for Governor Har-
mon, but that now he is for Governor
Wilson. Why he condemns me for doing
the same thing he admits he did himself
within the same time, is more surprising
to me than any thing else Why he wants
to rush into print and publish himself
in such an inconsistent light is mat
ter to excite inquiry into the state of
his mind. The shot is so small and the
game so big, 1 fear his craftsmanship
will not result in any hurt to Mr.. I'M
derwood.
I did think at one time the New Jer-
sey governor might develop into a presi-
Dental possibility, 1 had very great re-
spect for him. He is man of bright
mind, but when 1 began to inquire into
his political views and utterances and
to look up his position on various ques-
tons. of a public nature, I soon discov-
cred that according to my view, he was
not the man for the Democrats to nomi-
nate for president. believe his nomina-
ton by the Democrats would result in
ity toward the laboring people and the
laborer's interest, as shown in a speech
delivered in New Rochelle, N. Y, Feb
ruary rs, 1905, and in an address deliv-
cred June Is. 1908, in which he took sides
with the manufacturers, against the la
borers and in which he so uncharitably
discussed them, places him where the
honest, Woodworking man cannot support
him, and this will of course, OF itself,
defeat him If he should be nominated.
Again, his position on the initiative,
referendum and recall is, to my mind,
sufficient reason to me to oppose him.
Again, his treatment of his friends,
who contributed to his campaign fund
and elected him governor of New Jersey,
is not to my taste. A man who Is so
unnatural as to take his friends money
and friends influence and elevate him
self to the high office of governor of
New Jersey and then when he aspires to
a still higher Office, to turn and stab the
friends who had helped him, when they
were just as good when he performed
the stabbing act as when he kissed their