Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1912-06-01
How Things Were Fixed BY seen
npmen's Agreement at Atlanta
And How They BunCOed the Hon. Thomas {. Watson to
Keep Him From SkinniDg the Hon. Thomas Fielder
Side Lights on Present Day Georgia Politics
.pv Thomas Gamble, Jr., in Savannah
CEyening Press.)

Evening Press)
poIitfcal fear political cowardice,
.oIi+icaI concession-these were all
continent characteristics of the state
n,mocratic convention at Atlanta.
m begin with, the leaders, or those
o.bo assumed that position, were de-
oidedIv wary of antagonizing the Hon.
Thomas f. Watson and provoking an
fsspe of serength with him.
Tho first day of the rally, the day
bofora the convention, they were
boastful e, ;,
I'VE will beat him to a frazzle, "
.,bav were heard declaring in the KIM
boIi house corridors and at the pre-
liminarv gatherings in the political
cnambers Of that famous old polltlcal
headquarters. -, -,
watson came. Watson held his
meeting 1t was not possible to dis
rinouisb between delegates and spec
,ators hut there was big crowd and
+bare was a display of enthusiasm for
Watson and a buzz of Watson talk
that made the leaders sit up and do
some thinking.
Sill they told each other in conf
dpnce and bOasted somewhat openly,
that when it came to show down the
man from Thomson would be wiped
off the floor.
Watsons remarks were paciticatory
ro an extent but with a ring of de-
termination to them.
Then came the district meetings, TO
select delegates to the national con-
fention and attend to the other pre-
liminary work of the convention.
And it was here that the leaders got
their first shock, real genuine shock,
that sent a spasm of fear up and down
their spinal columns.
In not a single district delegation
did they dare force their slate through.
The scheme was to have each dis
trict indorse seven delegates at large
The lgAth place was to be left open
Gentlemen" the delegates were
told, there is no desire to Interfere
with any ones privilege of voting for
Mr.. Watson. You see, only seven are
named in this list. This leaves a place
On the delegation open for Mr.. Watson
Or anybody else the convention may
select
Congressman Brantley had been
picked for the eighth place to make
the fight against Watson.
But the delegates refused to stand
for the program. In every district
meeting there was prompt repudia-
tion, County after county and dele
gate after delegate, demanded the
right to exercise the privilege of vo-
ting without being tied up to any slate
of seven.
In no district did the leaders dare
TO attempt to push the prearranged
program through. The spirit of the
delegates did not favor it. They were
afraid to bring it to a vote.
The Watson men began to be more
in evidence. The news circulated
that his strength was vastly greater in
the convention than had been antici-
Pated 1t was an open question wheth-
er on clean-cut issue as to Watson
MS supporters would not dominate
several of the districts, force the issue
In advance, and the various district
combinations might all go to pot.
Pleading With Watson.
lnen began the dickering, the bar
tteerlng and pleading. The leaders 0t
lGe Georgia Democracy, bluffing and
clustering to some extent, shiverins
IN their shoes seemingly in reality
sought out the genial statesman from
Thomson.
Little joe the Governor of the
great state; Jack Slaton, the would-be
next governor, and others sought Wat
son room. They sought him to pla-
yate him. to appease him to soothe
uNl' to dicker with him.
oiaton needs Watson's support. His
candidacy for governor was really tht
ISSUE, not Watson's going to Balti'
more.
Natsons fifteen or twenty thousand
.g'eS II they are that many, are need
S1, & Oadiy needed, by the Atlanta can
u'uale To affront Watson too much
" anger him, might mean the loss o
%,S support and influence. Al so tn,
present Governor and ~ anita as
pTaht Tor Govern lowed to thu
|lsa'y Watson. Ihe mountains wen
W w. Mahomet, not Mahomet to the moul
Iot' IIo!nS' Watson sat in his room Il
,s'S0fe and the leaders sought hin
w o5'' watson has the goods they want
w, W. and the dealer always seeks tn
"aL with the goods
p,9C 90 the deal was made. Even Ton
- elQef acknowledged it, 81 agreed no
so,5 w B5reclpitate any fight with Watson,
IoIi. ,lG me- as it might embarass certain
Ei,,,n EEGiucaI arrangements made wit
Va u ug"o'uShing barter! That's all!
cr 40" III the staunch Georgia Demo
in IVY mat has stood by the party yea
and ana nu year out and fought Watso
Ha,, al ne represented, look upon il
an5 VIII the picture of Gov. Brow
mss. Uuoernatorial Aspirant Slate
rnnai rr'ns to the conference of Watson
him bft""ing to his rooms, pleading wit
nictnn uaulng with him, how will tn
stow SIT on the already overloade
sro ,D"Iachs of the tens of thousands VIII
~ uo' aspirants for Officer
tho ue sehtlemen's agreement betwee
mora1u parues was consummated on Il
gaton tn'lg OF the convention. The del
"idSsed at the Grand expectiI