Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1912-06-08
WATSON. THE WARWICK Of
GEORGIA POLITICS.


Governor maker of the Empire State
of the South.
Hoke Smith sought him out, secur-
ed his support, and became governor
Little Joe" Brown sought him out
secured his support and became gov.
ernor.
John NJ. SIaton sought him out, d.
rectly or indirectly, secured his sup
port, and becomes. governor of Geor-
gia.
And yet he is credited, even by
those who solicit his aid and appeal
10 him for succor, to have but =
raeagre fifteen to twenty thousand
followers out of the vast army of
Georgia Democrats, two hundred
thousand or more in number
Controlling a bare ten per cent. Of
the white vote of the state, Watson
sits enthroned as the domineering fac
tor in state politics. Without his
imprimatur no man can aspire to the
governorship of this great Democratic
state.
Hudson's withdrawal ensures the
election of Slaton. There is no use
denying that. Joe Hill Hall, or any
other aspirant, will not have a look
in.
Slaton, as governor, will be but ar
additional tribute to the overpowerins
position Watson holds-but another
notification to all aspiring politicians
that they must seek out, conciliatc,
and win over the McDufie politician
if they aspire to the highest office in
the gift of the people of Georgia.
No one can blame Watson for using
his unique power. That power does
not rest in any tremendous strength
that is behind him. 1t rests in tho
division of the old line Democrats OF
the state in two rival and constant}o
tontending factions, so nearly of one
strength that Watson holds the bal
ance of power and controls the situa-
ton
The Smith faction and the Brown
faction made Watson present position
POSSIBLE. They reinstated him in tho
eat of power and placed in his hand
the loaded cords with which he nov
chastises one and then the Other
They practically created the tyraEt
before whose scowls they shrink, be.
fore whose blows they fall in suppl
cation for mercy.
Watson grows stronger by each vic.
tory. Georgia will know that Watson
made Slaton governor, just as i
knows he has made other men gov
ernor. And on this knowledge his
forces will increase in number, It
aggressiveness, in ability to contro
the situation.
Watson will not always rest con.
tent with putting other men into OF
flee. The king maker will some da,
seek TO make himself king. He may
rot aspire to the governorship, bu
the United States senatorship is
prize that will assuredly tempt him.
What pity that Hoke Smiths teri.
does not first expire that Watson
might cross swords with him. But i
is not to be that way. Senator Bacor
must first go before the people. Wat
son denies, through McGregor, tina
he has any intention of contestin:
it'll Bacon for the seat. But through
cut Georgia there is a growing feelin.
that this is to be the next battle
royal.
VIII the fifteen or twenty Thousand
accredited to Watson have grown S,
great an army that Watson can land
Pacon is strongly entrenched in thu
esteem and confidence of the peopl;
of Georgia. No more able Democra
represents any state in the SenatC
than he. But even such service 1.
Bacon has rendered, such integrity
ability and staunch devotion to true
Democratic principles as he ha,
shown, do not always avail against
men of the Watson type.
If Fielder should be pinched in South
Carolina and released ON bail Georgia