Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1912-05-30
lspecial to Times-Re corder)

Atlanta. Ga, May 29.-By the pro-
ooss Of eliminating Tom Loyless, ed
t+or of the Augusta Chronicle and sub
u+ftrting for him Thomas E. Watson.
rho ticket for eight legates-at-large
u,os mt through the state democratic
,onvantion today. The substituting of
Watson for Loyless was largely done,
orrrent rumors have it, under the ma
rinpIating influences of John M. Sla-
ION. candidate for governor, and his
friends and is intended to insure the
support of Watson for the Atlanta can
didate for governor.
Inasmuch as Tom Fielder was re-
famed as a elegate-at-large, and the
steam roller was used to crush out
Watson's opposition to Fielder in the
convention, Watson may yet turn
against the Atlanta manipulators, who
threw down the Augusta editor to
make room for the old populist lead
er
It was currently rumored when the
convention met at the Grand opera
house that peace had been in a meas
ure secured by giving Watson a dele
gateship and otherwise agreeing to
place him as far as possible. Many
leaders and delegates would probably
have preferred a fight to a finish, but
the Slaton interests are credited with
the species of compromise reached
and carried out. Under this Watson
was pretty well given full rein in the
minor matters of the convention. Lit
tie points raised by him were con-
ceded and there was every evidence
Of a desire to conciliate him in every
way possible.
Several times the convention was
treated to the unusual spectacle of
Watson seated on a sofa on the stage
with ]. Randolph Anderson by his
side, Anderson's arm thrown over +
Watson's shoulder and with one or
two other leaders explaining and
agreeing and soothing Watson. 1t
was evidently case of anything in
reason to satisfy Watson.
Watson had many friends among
the delegates, and probably many
more who have been and are opposed
to him politically, but who felt that he
was entitled to proper consideration
and delegateship for services rem
dered, There is hardly any likeli-
mood that in a fight to a finish he
would have stood any chance of meet
ing the issue. The chief managers of
lne conventions affairs, though, SEEM
ed distinctly and decidedly afraid OF
watson. They were afraid to try is
sues with him, it seemed.
The original program was to use
The name of Congressman Brantley to
oeat Watson with if the issue came to
square fight on the convention floor.
Inc Slaton leaders are credited with
lne desire to avoid the issue. The
sacrifice of Brantley would have been
resented by his friends. The sacr1-
nee Of Tom Loyless, of Augusta, gem
orally acknowledged as having been
PICKED as one of the eight delegates
"'- large was then apparently deter
mined upon.
LoyIess is personally offensive to
watson, having fought him persist
eL'Iy IN the Tenth district for years
ny forcing the issue between Loyless
ana Watson, it seems to have been
Isored out that Watson's attention
would be diverted from Tom Fielder,
oI Atlanta, Brantley would go through
"I'Aout opposition, and Watson would
Rave the pleasure of defeating the
""Jed Augusta edition. News of this
brilliant scheme of the Atlanta Con-
s''0llon expressed his indignation at
"Vlilg selected as a sacrifice to APP
r'"Se watson. Later Loyless refused
w "''oW his name to be used for del
vs"Ie-at-Iarge appreciating, probably,
"y apparent intention to sacrifice him
Ills lett a vacancy on the list of
N's"l delegates-at-large, and Wat
W" ~, name was promptly instituted
"en the names We're called before
"e convention. though, Watson turn
eo nlmself loose, or attempted to.
~ Keep Watson quiet during the
- el'lllhary stages and avoid an issue
WIN him, his contention that the
9"' ueIegates-at-large should be vot-
vi separately by counties, instead
~ viva yoce, as a lot, was agreed to
'U rules to that effect were adopted,
so rule permitting each speaker
Sh "'eeh minutes The original plan
''u oeen a five-minutes limit but Wat
on announcement that this would
'o' go lead to the extension to ff-
teen.
adopting these rules Watson was
:. ''ehlIy lulled into a sense of secur-
'na' steam roller methods would
S' ~, oe lndulged in. The eyes of the
w. O'"Son man were specially opened
ca p" 'he names of the eight dele
a'-iarge with Thomas II. Watson