Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-08-30
DEALS
FOR CONVENTION VOTES
BIaIock-Price Combination Is
Charged-BroWn Accused of
Selling Patronage
Especial Dispatch to The Journal)
(BY HARLLEE BRANCH)

MACON, Ga, Aug. 2S.-In times past
various and sundry performances have
been pulled off at Georgia state conven-
tions, but it remained for the 1912 con-
vention to witness what is perhaps the
most interesting, not to say, disgraceful
maneuvering of all these gatherings Of
modern years.
The race for commissioner of agricul-
ture, which the primary failed to decide
as between ]. ]. Brown, of Bowman; ].
.. Price, of Pennington. and A. o.
Blalock, of Fayetteville, provides the set
ting for this most remarkable political
situation.
According to comon report Blalock and
Price several days ago effected a combi-
nation of interests. Under this arrange
ment Blalock was to deliver to Price all
of the votes from counties he carried in
the primary. or at least, so many OF
them as he could control. In return,
Price agreed to appoint an assistant
commissioner of agriculture acceptable to
Blalock.
The real political jugglery in this con-
tst, however. has been sprung by Brown
and his friends. He not only made his
race for commissioner of agriculture as
the lieutenant and right bower of Thorn
es Z. Watson, out there seems to be
little doubt that he has lined up behind
him in a solid phalanx many of the fer
/ tilizer manufacturing interests in Geor-
gia. In addition to these questionable
influences in his behalf the report Is
current that Brown Is being made the
beneficiary of the patronage from the
office of the commissioner of agriculture.
IL was openly stated in the caucuses
In bn ~
j. j. Conner, present commissioner OF
agriculture, had been brought to Macon
by Brown and his fertilizer friends for
the purpose of trading oil and fertilizer
inspectorships for Brown votes in the
convention. Under the recent laws enact
ed by the state legislature relative to
these inspectors 1t is left with the COM
missioner of agriculture to make appoint
ments to these places at his pleasure.
There are something like a hundred of
these jobs to be given out by the CONF
missioner. 1t is claimed that Commits
sioner Conner hopes to be assistant COM
missioner of agriculture in the event OF
Browns election, and for this reason he
is willing to make appointments that viii
result in votes for Brown.
Commissioner Conner was informed late
Tuesday evening OF the reports concern
ing himself and these appointments. He
denied them, declaring that there was not
a scintilla of truth in the charges that
he was bartering the appointments Of
his office. He said that he was not
taking any active interest in the candi-
dacy of either of the gentlemen seeking
the office of commissioner Of agriculture.
and that he had not promised a single
appointment based on expected support
for either of the candidates. Notwith-
standing Mr.. Corners denial, 1t was a
subject OF common gossip that he was
in Macon for the purpose of aiding Brown
in his contest.
Whether the support of Watson. the
active influence of the fertilizer manu-
facturers and the patronage of the COM
missioner of agriculture can land the
plum for Brown remains to be demon
strated by the action of the convention.
The combination between Blalock and
Price has apparently assumed formidable
proportions, and it was an even bet
Tuesday evening that Price would win
out.