Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-05-31

WASHINGTON. --ay S0.-That Thorn
as E. Watson win be a candidate for the
United States senate in opposition to
Senator A. o. Bacon, as result Of Wat
sons election as a delegate at large to
the altimore convention. is belief that
finds strong support in Washington, and
should Watson announce as a candidate
for the senate, II may be stated on the
highest authority that Congressman
Thomas w. Hardwick will also enter the
race. He is anxious to measure strength
with the "red-headed" person from
Thomson, and may be depended upon TO
enter the field against him IL he runs.
While Mr.. Hardwick would prefer to
tackle Watson before the people of the
Tenth district as a candidate for con-
gress, IL is known that he will contest
with Watson for any office to which the
sorrel-topped bolter may aspire in Geor-
gia-
his recognition by the Democracy Of
WILL SEIZE RECOGNITION.
The belief that Watson will seize upon
Georgia as an opportunity for launching
his candidacy for the senate is given
strength and color by reliable informa-
ton from Thomson to the effect that
Watson has said recently that he would
be a candidate If he won his fight in the
state convention. This information
reached Washington some time ago, but
little consequence was attached to IL at
that time, because none Of the Georgians
in congress believes for a minute that
the Democracy OF Georgia would honor
its ancient enemey; but since the city
politicians" have seen fit to honor Wat
son, accept his dictation and yield to his
demands, the report has been recalled
and it's authenticity accepted as cor
rect -,e
In this connection, it is limited here
that the compromise between the city
politicians and the 'red-headed person"
was the result of a deal the terms of
which were named by Watson, and
which provided that he should at least
have the passive support of the domi-
nant machine in his candidacy for the
senate. II Is also remarked here that
since Watson'E star began it's ascendancy
he has gone out Of his way to take Nun-
friendly filings at Senator Bacon Per-
sons familiar with Watson's tactics in
all such matters have seen I'm these crit
icisms Of the senior senator an Interior
motive in the light of yesterdays do
ings in Georgia, and they are regarded
as corroborative of Watson's purpose 10
make the race against Mr.. Bacon.
Senator Bacon is an avowed candidate
for reelection and his secretary and DO
litical adviser. Col. John T. Boifeuillet,
has been In Georgia for some weeks
shaping up his campaign.
Although Watson's purpose to oppose
Senator Bacon in the event ne whipped
his fight in the Georgia convention has
been the subject of gossip among Geor-
gisns, for some days, the announce.
ment that Congressman Hardwick will
aso enter the race comes as a brand new
development. It has not created any sur
prise, however, among those who know
the Tenth district congressman and who
understand and appaud his fighting spir-
II. These persons, and in fact, all per-
sons in Washington, know how out
rageously Watson has slandered and vii
lifted Mr.. Hardwick and they know him
we'll enough to understand that he will
size upon the first Opportunity to hui
initiate Watson before the people of
Georgia. He is anxious for an oppor-
tunity 10 let the people of the whole
state, or the people of the Tenth dis
trict. decide as between Watson and
himself. and while he IS not inclined to
encourage opposition to Senator Bacon,
IL is known that he win welcome the op-
position TO fight il out with Watson.
The probability of Watson entering
the race for the senate has completely
overshadOwed in Washington the news
OF his election as a delegate at large
TO the Baltimore convention. The first
ldeport OF 0Watson's choice was conveyed
to members OF the Georgia delegation in
lcongress by The Journal correspondent.
Most OF them were surprised at the news.
They believed that Watson would make
a fight IN the convention, but none OF
them believed that the so-called leaders
would lay down to the red-headed per-
son.
They had feathers on their legs" was
the comment OF one well known Geor-
gfa representative. They couldn't stand
lthe gaff, and were afraid to stand VI
like men and fight Watson" This re-
mark was not made BY Congressman
Hardwick either, but 1t represents the
unanimous sentiment OF the delegation