Atlanta Georgian., 1914-03-01

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, be that man West or some
body else.
Ono May Retire.
If Governor Slaton elects to try for
Senator Bacon's 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 TO run for
Governor agaiu-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 Smithites
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 Bacons 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 Saton.
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
Governorship, ne -essarily vacated by
the latter-and this with a fine, fat
chance to land eventually 1T least no
worse off than where they started,
and possibly big winners all around
the table,
You will understand, gentle read
err that it now is very much the
Slatonites' move.
The Smith4tes-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 1t likewise would
be preserved with SIaton and Smith
in the Senate.
1t further is ontended-although
this is more or less slippery ground
that the real question for Georgians
20 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,
II, say the Slatonites, 1t 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 Hardwick.
who lives even north of Macon, both
step aside, and then let a real South
Georgian have the place.
-confidentially-ls 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!
II is argued in some quarters that
Georgia should not have a political
fight this year: that prosperity is
abroad in the land and that every
thing is pretty.
Maybe, man, maybe,
Undoubtedly peace is desired by
the Smithites, if the Smithites might