Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-08-02
OeKaIb County Representative
Pays His Entrance Fee and
Casts His Hat Into Guberna-
toHaE Ring
PROHIBITION WILL NOT
BE PARAMOUNT ISSUE


Hooper Alexander. DeKaIb county leg
tslator. threw his hat into the guber-
natsrfHl mig Thursday morning. with
the simple statement that he was a can
didate for governor. Ten minutes later
Charles II. Mckinney. a friend. called
at the ofices OF State Secretary Calvin
II. Hitch and paid Mr.. Alexander's as
sessment Thirty minutes later the books
were closed. and the guDernatOrial con-
test subject to the primary OF August
z.-resoIved itself into a contest between
John ~ SIaton. OF Fulton
Joseph Il. Hall. OF Bib.
Hooper Alexander. OF DeKalb-
SinguIarly enough all OF the candidates
are members OF the state legislature, and
each win make his record in the assem-
bly, his platform before the people.
Messrs. Alexander and Hall have been
leaders OF the lower house for many
years, and have rarely been in agreement
about state issues Mr.. Slaton is now
president OF the senate. serving his sec
ond term Prior 10 that time he served
tor many years in the house as member
OF the Fulton delegation
/, Mr.. Alexander's formal announcement
nfI be given to the press Friday. He
stated that while statewide prohibition
might be an Incidental issue with him.
he had no purpose 70 make IL the para
mount question OF the campaign. He de-
clared that he would make a vigorous
fight all along the line
you are authorized TO say that am
a candidate for governor, said Mr.. Alex
andsr TO a Journal reporter at the cap
itOl about IL o'clock That was absolute
Is the FIRST intimatiOn that had come
directly from him. although il has been
r1mored for several days that he would
contest FOR the nomination with Messrs.
slaton and Hall Shortly after making
this statement. Mr.. Alexander sent the
$40 assessment to Secretary Hitch, and
his nafe was formally entered on the
lists as a contestant
Although. as stated, IL has been ru-
mored for several days that Mr.. Alex
suder might make the race, his formal
public declaration caused no end Of sur
prise at the capitol The news spread
rapidly and soon the new entry was the
topic OF every tongue. There were many
who seefed to doubt the accuracy Of the
statement. and the newspaper men were
besfeEed by members who wanted the
information confirmed or denied. Mr.
Alexander hifself left the chamber short
Is after his announcement was made.
and h was impossible for his friends 20
communicate with him directly.
There were all sorts OF rumOrs as 70
Mr.. Alexander's purpose I'm becoming
an 1ith hour candidate for governor, but
Mr.. Alexander's declaration was that ne
hssd entered because he thought the fight
for progressive Democracy in Georgia
should be continued. As a legislator who
has served continuously since 1875. Mr..
Alexander has identified himself with
practically all OF the progressive leg
isIatiou that has been enacted or at
tempted in the assembly. Tie has been q
recogulzed leader Of the progressive
forces. and his pronounced stand on al
r-atters has stamped him as one OF thi
osfgluai reformers Of the state His most
notable and conspicuous activity OF late
has been his leadership Of the prohibition
light in the lower house. and some per-
sons opposed to the Tippins bin profess
10 see Mr.. Alexander's candidacy foI
governor an admission that the measure
e doomed TO defeat next Friday when
the final test comes on the motion "a
override Governor Browns veto. They
point with significance to the fact that
Mr. Alexander did not announce his can
dfdacy until Thursday morning after the
forces opposed. TO the Tippins bill had
scored their first real victory by Hmiting
6ebate On the governors veto TO one
hour. That vote. they argued. convinced
Mr.. Alexander that his fight was hope
less, and that there remained nothing
for him to do but run for governor