Atlanta Georgian., 1913-03-04
ALEXANDER BONE
Of CONTENTION
IN BIC ROW
Hoke Smith FavorS Him for the
North Georgia AttorneyShlp.
Others Oppose Him.
By JAMES B. NEVIN.

in the corridors of the big capitol, one
hears about how So-and-So is under
taking TO put something over that ought
not to go over To be specific, there is
to be an almighty row over the ap-
pOintment of a district attorney for
north Georgia Senator Smith, at the
right hand Of the president-powerf
determined and aggressive-is said to
be resolved that the appointment shall
go to Hooper Alexander of Atlanta, un
successful candidate for the governor
ship against John NJ. Slaton and Joe
Hill Hall. 1t is but the truth to say that
a vigorous protest against this proposed
appointment has been made, and 1t has
come from all over Georgia.
G. r. Hutchens, manager of the I'm
derwood campaign in Georgia, is an
applicant for the place, and he is said
to be distastefu in the extreme to Sen
ator Smith. HutChens friends are in
sisting that he should not be pro-
scribed because Of his political affilia
tions inside the party. The consequence
is that the Georgia delegation in con-
gress is split to an utterly irreconcil-
able degree in this matter. just as it is
in many others. Tom Shackleford, of
Athens, also wants the job and is talked
of as a compromise man.
Brown Smith War Still On.
If anybody believes the old Brown
Smith war has ceased to be in Georgia,
he need only visit Washington and min
gle with the politicians here to find out
how badly he is mistaken. l hear that
Charlie Barrett's excellent chance for
the agricultural portfolio was sacrificed
on the altar of factonal Georgia poll
tics Congressman Hardwick has OPEN
lily opposed Barretts appointment, upon
the theory that Barrett is friend of
Tom Watson, Hardwick's mortal enc !
my and particular bette noir. The fact
that Barrett is not Watson's enemy
served to damn him in the eyes of
Hardwick for so bitter is the Hard
wick Watson warfare that those who
do not hate Watson must love him, in
the Hardwicll philosophy.
Senator Smith also failed to warm up
to Barrett, following Hardwick's lead
in a way and for much the same rea-
SON. All of this is more or less out
spoken here. Senator Smiths attitude
toward Barrett has never assumed the
| RulSe Oh open HO6llllIys Dul rather VI
llukewarmness and Indifference Hard
wick's opposition has been outspoken
and vehement. Governor Browns in
dorsement of Barrett is said to have
agitated Senator Smith no little, how
ever.
One hears strange stories with re-
spect to the Rome postmastership too
Gordon Lee is said to favor and be de-
termined upon the appointment of John
NJ. Nandiver, former postmaster Sen
lator Smith is said to be determined to
block the confirmation of this appoint
ment. because of former political en-
nifty between Vandiver and himself
Mrs. Wilson May Settle II.
It is proposed to invoke the aid OF
Mrs. Wilson in settling this fight. by
way of having her ask the president for
this appointment, because Rome is her
girIhood's home.
In the event she is thus favored by
the president. it is understood that the
office will go to Park Bowie. Mrs. Will
sons kinsman in the Hill City.
without reference to the merits OF
these entanglements, the reader can see
what complications may arise from a
dozen or more squabbles of like per
suasion over Federal patronage in
Georgia,
There is said to be a sort of working
agreement between Senators Smith and
Bacon, whereby neither will agree to
the confirmation of any appointment
distasteful to the other.
Just what this word distasteful
means in this agreement nobody
knows exactly, and the compacts work
lug will necessarily be more or less
one sided at that. Senator Bacon has
kept pretty free of factional alignments
in Georgia for years. whereas Senator
Smith has been identified, of course
with them heartily. But if the agree
ment exists. and is enforced. the orig
inal idea Ct permitting local congress
men to control local patronage Is gone
glimmerins
one big job has been promised in
Georgia. | understand. only on condi-
tion that the powers making it poss-
BILE shall also name the three principal
assistants under it,
These are but a few of the straws
showing which way the March polti-
cal winds are blowing, and in what va
rious directions they incline the Fed
eral plum tree. That the state is to
see a merry war over patronage need
not be doubted.
Job Seekers Everywhere.
All around the hotel Hobbies the chief
line of talk concerns what somebody
is to get by way Of favor from the in
coming administration, and the talk of
the Georgia visitors in no wise differs
from the rest of it, 1t may be that
some Georgians who are here thinking
themselves merely interested in the
Democracy and Wilson will be sur
prsed to read this comment about
themselves. but If they will stop and
think it all over. they will see where
| am right
There are probably $500 visitors in
Washington who hail from Georgia. and
about 10 per cent Of them are Attain
tanS.