Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1914-03-11
AW JAMES B. NEYTN

While the question, What will Sla-
minds of many politicians in Geor-
gia nowadays, of more immediate mo-
ment, perhaps, is-"What will the State
Democratic Committee do?"
AS II tier of fact, ii will be more
or less difficult to get really straight
line on other things until that hon
orable body has been assembled, and
has stated exactly what rules and reg
ulations shall prevail in the matter
of determining, by primary elections.
just how the various political plums
shall be distributed this year.
Considering the case of the two
proclaimed candidates for the uneX-
pired term of Senator Bacon, for in
stance, and figuring on that matter, it
makes mighty difference whether
the State committee shall call 4
straightaway county unit or plurality
primary.
Suppose a county unit primary
should be called, and the race for the
short term in the Senate must DE
fought out along that line Suppose,
further, that the candidates entered in
that race eventually should figure
down to Hardwick, Fielder and Sl4-
ton.
On the surface of things, it would
look as if Slaton stood to win that
Highland yet!
If Fielder and Hardwick could mus
ter enough county unit votes between
them in the convention to block Sla-
ton. either one might combine with
the other in the convention and nomI-
nate an ati-Slaton man-either Fe!o-
er, or Hardwick, or some dark
horse"
In other words, to throw the nomi-
nation into the convention. with two
anti Slaton men holding, combined,
ma jority vote of the convention, in
evitably would result in an anti-S'd-
ton nomination., Notwithstanding the
fact that Slaton might have far more
county unit votes than either one o.
his antagonists, standing alone.
Whether the co. mittee, therefore,
calls a county unit or a plurality prl-
mary makes a very great deal of diff
ference. and may go a long way to-
ward determining the real charac -er
of the factional fight, now seemingly
sure to arrive, from tn question Ci
whether Senator Smith shall have OPP
position on down or up the line, as
the case may be.
Presumably, the committee will
meet soon. but there is nothing sure
ly indicating when it will meet.
Until it does meet, however, things
likely will be kept more or less at
sea- and necessarily so.
Colonel Jesse Perry, private secre-
tary to the Governor, has one friend
who likely will not get gay with the
Executive Department aSain-cer-
tainly not soon
This friend had a way of calling
Perry over the phone every now and
then, and invariably he asked the eX
change operator for the biggest
crook in the Capitol" The exchange
operator long ago got wise to the
Joke. and when this friend of Perry
called for said biggest crook in the
Capitol" he got Perry without more
ado.
Recently. however, he called thus
wise for Perry, and the Governor an
swered the phone.
Hello" said the Governor.
Hello, crook" said Perry's pal.
Sir What did you say" said the
Governor
How many crooked deals have you
pulled thus far today" inquired the
voice.
81 guess you have the wrong num-
ber-ths is John NJ. Slaton, Cover |
nor of Georgia said the Executive, /
with more or less frgidity Of tone.
Good, Lord" said the other party
I thought you were Jesse Perry
please eXcu--"
Perry? Humph!" said the Cover
nor, hanging up the phone.
you Fulton County folks are more .
lr less amusing" said a well known .
south Georgian to-day. discussing .
certain acute situations in Atlanta, /
and in nothing. ! think, more than
n your attitude toward your churches
md your politics
Il see IL stated. for instance. thai
'our churches now are saying to their
henderson some of them-"You
must not belong to a locker club that
Iispenses liquor illegally, but so long
IS the liquor dispensed is not disc
,ensed Illegally. why that is, at
cast, debatable ground!
Now, no city other than Atlanta