Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1912-06-18
HARDW|CK AGAIN
IS SEEN IN RACE
FOR GOVERNOR
HoIden's Candidacy for Con-
gress From Tenth Upsets the
Political dope Sheet"

The announcement Of former Justice
Horace M Holden. of Richmond coun-
~. for congress from the Tenth dis
trict. has started anew much specula-
tion concerning the govemorship race
Not a few politicians have taken
Judge HoIden's announcement to mean
that he has had fairly straight tip
that Thomas w Hardwick, who has
not yet announced for re- election to-
congress. will enter the governorship
race and leave the congressional field
to others whose ambitions call them to
that vicinity of political effort.
Others are able to see nothing what
ever in that point of view, holding that
the former supreme court justice is
merely carrying out long settled de-
termination to contest with Mr. Hard
wick for congress this year. and that
the only effect his announcement at
this time will have will be to bring the
congressional situation in the Tenth to
an immediate head and precipitate Mr..
Hardwick's announcement for e-elec-
ton.
What Will HardwieIS Do7
OnUueSliOHdDly tue zone nope OF OPP
position to John M. Slaton and Joe
Hill Hall for the governorship dweIls
within Hardwick
All attempts to interest others have
failed-the last collapse being the
Hardman boom.
If the so called Smith faction is to
dispute seriously with Slaton or Hall
for the governorship this year 1t will
put forward Hardwick Hardwick is
the last bet the Smith faction has gu
natorially, and, many think, the
best
IF Hardwick runs for governor be
will get the hearty and wholesoul back
ing of the Smith clans--no doubt about
that He is a good fighter. and cour-
ageous If he gets into the game he
viii get in for scalps and gore.
At the same time there is no doubt
whatever that those who love Tack
Slaton and Joe Hill Hall neither wisely
nor too well realize that 1t is mighty
late to get into a row over the gov
ernorship
If Hardwick elects to enter that row
he takes his political life in his hands
and there probably Is no man in Geor-
gia who understands that more thor
oughly than he. At the same time he
has the grit-or the nerve" which
ever one chooses to call ito do it. If
he thinks his side of the house de-
mands the possible sacrifice.
Hardwick Is Ambitious.
Hardwick would like to be governor
There is no sort of mistake about that.
He has harbored gubernatof1al am
billions for years. He likely would be
in the race now had not the Wilson
fight gone to such disastrous defeat in
Georgia recently.
In the congressional matter Hard
wick feels that he has bird in the
hand. Whether he thinks 1t worth two
gubernatorial fowls in the bush. Is
problematical, but quite likely
The impression is that he will run
for congress again, and leave Slaton
and Hall to fight 1t out between them
selves in the matter of the governor
ship.
And even at that, he will have Bit
ter fight to hold what he has For
Thomas E. Watson a power in the
Tenth. is out In support of Holden.
Sees Walkover For Holden.
In discussing Holden, Watson in
recent issue of his Progressive Demo-
crat said:
1t seems reasonably certain shat
Judge Horace Holden will have a
walkover for congress in the Tenth.
The Judge is all right His pri-
waite and public record are without
blemish
AS judge of the superior court of
the Northern circuit, he made good
AS associate justice of the SUI
preme court he made good.
Whenever he has come before the
people he has been Endorsed, and
predict for him an easy triumph in
his candidacy for congress.
Up one side and down the other, poll
itfcians generally expect to see Hard
wick Holden Watson fight confined 10
the Tenth congressional district. rather
than Hardwick Slaton- Hall fight
spread over the entire state
Hardwick Welcomes Fight
Hardwiek is quoted as willing to try
conclusions with Watson again. and 1t
is thought that he win welcome a fight
in the Tenth, If for no other reason
than that. He will rejoice more in de-
feating Watson than Holden--for he
unquestionably will make Watson. and
nut I1oltiIis Tue VhJtGL VI MS lHitlE-
date wrath
No man is more cordially hated by
the Smith Hard wick faction in Georgia
politics than Tom Watson. That fac
ton would rather chastise Watson
than anybody else in the world
Maybe it can get the auburn hued
scalp block by mixing it congressionally
rather than systematically, and maybe
it is to be obtained in neither direction.
Result Is important,
Many people have gone forth In
quest Of the red headed" ones scalp 5
but, so far. the red headed one has
managed to retain possession of it.
To have Holden defeated by Hard
wick now would seriously and last
ingly damage the political standing OF
Watson to have Hardwick defeated by
Holden now would seriously and last
ingy damage the political standing of
the Smith Hardwick lineup.
All in all, and any way one looks al
it. the forthcoming fight in the Tenth Is
to be one far reaching in its effect upon
Georgia politics generally.