Atlanta Georgian., 1914-03-01
PARTY
THROWN BAT TIE
CAGE BY SMITH
It's Very Much the Governors
Move, Says Neyin, Reviewing
Interesting Situation,
Continued From Page I.

SOiltiHGCO dSS u
mitting more or less grudgingly that
that is magnificent, can not persuade
themselves that it is War-and all
they have expected from the Smith
ties heretofore, or have received, Is,
or has been the latter named article!
Hnce after thinking things over,
they Cthe Slatonites) have evolved
large suspicion that MIR. HardWick
and Mr. Fielder certainly viii not
BOTH run the race for the junior
Senatorship to finish-but that
neither the one nor the other viii
take permanent and single handed
charge of that fight until after Gov
ernor Slaton has said what ne pro-
poses to do-that is. whether he will
run for Senator Smiths term in the
Senate, for Senator BaCon's term, or
for the Governorship again.
In other words, the Slatonites dark
ly suspect that in the Hardwick-
Fielder race the Smithites are subtly
trying to smoke them (the Slaton
ites) out!"
If Governor Slaton commits him
self squarely to a campaign against
Senator Hoke Smith. then Hardwick
and Fielder may settle the matter Of
the junior Senatorship race between
them, one or the other-but not both
opposing the man put up by the
Slatonites, oe that man West or some
body else.
One May Retire.
If Governor Slaton elects to try for
Senator Bacon place, then HardWick
or Fielder one or the other, will re-
tire, and leave the one remaining to
settle the junior Senatorship issue
with the Governor.
If the Governor elects 10 run for
Governor again-then, Of course, the
one best bet" upon his side (unless
maybe Little Joe" figures right here,
which he may) as a candidate FOR
either the long or the short term
Senatorship. retires and the Smithtes
should worry about that. of course.
On the surface of things it looks
as if this would be the better-or, at
least, the safer-plan for Slaton to
offer for Bacon's term than for Sen
ator Smiths term, with Hardwick
and Fielder both in the race for Ba-
cons term. thus theatriCally dividing
the Smith forces on that issue.
Would Join Against Slaton.
But, say the Slatonites, if Slaton
should do that. and then either Hard
wick or Fielder should retire, the
Smithites, having insured the re-
election of their chief would be free
to concentrate their every effort at
defeating Slaton and also winning the
GoVernor5hip, necessarily vacated by
the latter-and this with fine. fat
chance to land eventually ut least no
worse off than where they started
and possibly big winners all around
the table!
You will understand, gentle read
er, that it now is very much the
Slatonites' move.
The Smith.tes-wh whether with or
without the Senator's consent-have
thrown down the gauntlet to the
Slatonites.
The latter either must take up the
gage of battle or leave it alone!
Therefore, if this article concerns
itself more with what the Slatonites
are saying right now than with what
the Smithites are saying-that is be-
cause it is the Slatonites' move.
Balance Power in Senate.
The Slatonites are observing that,
with West in the Senate, and with
Smith in the Senate, the balance of
/ power between the factions is pretty
well preserved-that it likewise would
be preserved with Slaton and Smith
in the Senate.
1t further is although
| this is more or less slippery ground
| that the real question for Georgians
| to settle Is the matter of equal fac
! tional representation in the Senate
The State admittedly is about even
| ly divided between Smithites and
Slatonites and it therefore is argued
that representation between the fac
tions should be preserved therein,
rather than sectional divisions
If, say the Slatonites. it be held
that there must be two Senators, hail
ing from different sections-why, let
Fielder who lives in Macon, which is
not in South Georgia, and HardWicll,
who lives even north of Macon. both
step aside, and then let a real South
Georgian have the place
West-confidenttally-is genuinely
from South Georgia. So much so, in
fact, that he is almost in Florida,
Argue Against Fight.
So, as may be seen plainly enough,
while certain earnest and more or
less well meaning gentlemen cry
Peace, peace peace isn't seemingly
in any hurry to get on the job
1t is argued in some quarters that
Georgia should not have a political
abroad in the land and that every
thing is pretty.
Maybe, man, maybe!
Undoubtedly, peace is desired by
the Smithites, If the Smith ties might
have all the plums in sight, Just
as it is quite as unselfshly desired
by the Slatonites, if they might have
all the plums in sight.
But when 1t comes to a division of
things equally between them. right
here is where the average observer
will relate that old story about the
white man, the Indian and the
turkey!
Peace Plan Seen.
Suppose general clearing house
for trouble should be held, and it
were sought to avoid a free for-all
factional fight this year Peace might
be preserved by agreeing to let Sen
ator Smith have the senior Senator
ship. to let Senator West have the
junior Senatorship, and to let Gov
ernor Slaton be reelected, all without
opposition
That would be A simple pIan which