Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-06-29
FIGHT BREWING
IN MACON OVER
MAYOR s OFFICE
Bridges Smith, City Clerk, or
John R, L, Smith, Lawyer, Are
Likely To Be Chosen.
OASHER FIRST CANDIDATE
Executive Committee Chairman
Takes His Own Time About
Calling Meeting.

'''''Co ''NSN''D'
MACON, June 2S.-The approach
ing mayoralty campaign is featured
by a seeming lack of interest. With
the election less than ten weeks off,
the candidates are still in their shells,
and local politics seem to be stag
mated.
Alderman A. l.. Dasher ST., for
years one of the strongest adherents
of the administration party, is the
only candidate so far in the field. He
announced in December on an anti
administration platform. On account
Of this complete reversal of form, the
citizens have been at a loss as to
how to take him, and his. campaign
has made little progress. 1t is I'M
derstood that MI Dasher is arrang-
ing an aldermanic ticket, which will
be announced in a few weeks.
The administration will offer either
Bridges Smith, the present City Clerk,
or ]. Ross Bowdre, the present Mayor
Pro Tenn and administration leader
in Council
Mr. Smith was Mayor for nine
years, and retired only to let his
friend John T. Moore run. MIR.
Moore was defeated by Judge A. L.
Miller Next time he beat Judge
Miller by less than 200 votes, Two
years ago he defeated ~ l. BTun-
ner, an Alderman, by safe major
ity. .
Mayor Moore Ineligible.
Under MaCon's present charter rule,
MAYOR Moore is ineligible for third
successive term. Consequently, Mr..
Smith, as the strongest man Of the
administration faction is looked upon
to maintain the party in office.
Mr. Bowdre IS in line for the nom
nation. but he insists that he would
rather not be Mayor, and it is not
lively that he will get in the race
> The Moore administration has done
many things to arouse criticism and
cause enemies, while at the same time
making a progressive record along
other lines The chief complaint is
that it has been too open. The pro-
hibitiOn law is discounted in the city.
The administration has established
wide-open restricted district and the
NOlIEE.
to unenviable criticism.
Law and Order Movement.
Just now law and order leaders
are talking of John r. L. Smith,
prominent Macon lawyer, for Mayor
on an independent ticket. Mr. Smith
has never been in politics, and in that
respect he has an absolutely I'M
blemished record. 1t is said that no
one knows how he has ever voted on
any issue, local or State. He is
successful business man, a great be-
lever in the enforcement of law, and
at the same time a man of rather
liberal tendencies. a movement is on
foot to ask him to run. Unless this
movement Crystallizes, it is probable
that Bridges Smith will be the next
Mayor.
Bridges Smith was originally a
printer and then a newspaper re-
porter incidentally he was a min
strel and has also engaged in various
business enterprises About 25 years
ago he became Clerk of Council, and
held that place until Mayor Daisy
Price died in office. Then he was
elected to fill the vacancy After
wards he was reelected for four sue
cessive times. Just as soon as Smith
got out of office a legislative act was
occurred. restricting the Mayors ten
ure to not more than four successive
years.
As to an aldermaniC ticket, at least
seven of the present Council will run
,on the administration ticket, they be-
ing Aldermen Chestney, BOwdre, Nc
fIenna, Happ, Hines, Adamson and
Bernd Alderman ?. L. Hay will run
on an independent platform. L. J.
La o
Representative in the Legislature; L.
A. Mitchell, r. c. Hazlehurst and two
other successful business men are
alsO expected to be administration
candidates for Council
The primary will be held about
September Is. The regular election
takes place in October, and the Mayor
and Council change in November
Just now there is an agitation to
secure a new executive committee.
The present committee was elected
three years ago, and served its pur-
pose. However, it has simply re-
manned in Office, because the chair
man. W. d. Nottingham, forgot all
about calling a meeting. This week
demand was made upon Mr. Not
tingham to call the committee to-
gether so that it could arrange for
!aass meeting by which new com
mittee Will be named. Inc point was
made that the new committee should
be chosen before the citizens are rent
b. faCtioral politics. But Judge Not
tingham-he was once judge Of the
City Courts obdurate He says that
he is going TO call the committee
Whenever he gets. good and ready,
A number of the committeeman have
publicly criticised Chairman Noting
ham for his attitude, and eight of the
ter members have requested him in
writing to call the committee.