The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-07-08
FIELDER WILL NOT
RUN FOR GOVERNOR
Georgia Attorney General
Believes 1t Too Late
HARDWICK DECLINES
Fielder Had Promise of Financial Sup
port-Congressman Hardwick
Will Again Be Candidate for
Congress from Tenth
HARDWICK DECLINES

Atlanta, July 7.-(Special THE state
political situation has at last solved Itself
into condition comparable with con-
sentative prediction.
BY those who had examined into the
situation, the statement of Attorney Cen
eral Thomas S. Fielder that he would
not make the race on account of the fact
that 1t was too late was not unexpected;
In fact, they had generally predicted 1t.
And yet, there were those who believed
to the last, that encouraged by sanguine
friend and backed by the ample campaign
fund which they had raised for him, Mr..
Fielder would announce and do his best
under the circumstances.
But Mr.. Fielder has demonstrated that
he has longer political head than some
give him credit for; he is not over
ready TO accept 1.-The views of sanguine
friends without looking into a situation
and finding out just what it looks like.
Support Promised
There is no doubt about the fact that
Mr. elder wanted to run, and that he
would have done so II the opportunity
presented had been in any wise satisfac-
factory. No man ever had better en-
toui VI ptOiillScS VI llituCidl sup
port than he. But Mr.. Fielder saw that
the ground had been well plowed, and
that there was little left for him to do.
If Mr. Fielder reached such q conclusion
with the facilities which he had for inves-
tigating the situation, and with the assist
ance of well known Georgians in maxi
ingthis investigation, his action comes
pretty near reading the death knell OF
any Hoke Smith opposition in the present
race for governor.
IT Is said hundreds of letters were sent
out sounding sentiment In his behalf, and
numerous replies to these were received
by the committee on sentiment on behalf
of his campaign. Early reports from Ma
con indicate these replies were favorable
and up to the last minute 1t seemed that
Mr.. Feders announcement would be
forthcoming. But Mr.. Fielder was keen
enough to gather the true inwerdness of
the situation, and would not let his
friends persuade him into a hopeless
race
Commenting on Mr.. Felders declination
to enter the race a well known Georgia
politician said:
III Fielder, with all the facilities he
has had for inquiring into the situation,
finds IL hopeless, what encouragement
could Congressman Hardwick up in
Washington find for getting into It? Eel
der has not only been on the ground
himself and in an office where he comes
in direct contact with the people, but he
has had at work for him sounding the
state some of its ablest politicians. lie
has evidently found it hopeless, and l
will venture to predict that in the light
of this discovery Congressman Hard
wick will not announce"
Hardwick Declines
Within four hours after the foregoing
statement was made there appeared a
dispatch from washington stating that
Congressman Hardwick had declined to
make the race for reelection to Congress
from the Tenth congressional district, and
would not be candidate for governor.
This. 1t appears, bears out in every
respect the predictions that have been
made In these dispatches. Indications
month ago pointed to the fact that the
entries had closed, and that there would
be no more candidates
1t is believed ii would take more than
mere moral backing of Senator Smith to
give a candidate of his faction anything
like a Took in in the race; and Senator
Smith has already stated that he pro-
posed to keep hands off in local poll
tics.
1t may be taken for granted, therefore.
that the talk of opposition is practical
" at an end and that the only opposi-
ton that Hon John NJ. Saton, presi-
dent of the senate will have is that
which he has had all along in the person
of Hon. Joe Hill Hall of Bibb.