Atlanta Georgian., 1914-02-27
FE[DER ANNOUNCEMENT
To TANGLE BATTLE FOR
SENATORSH|P GREATLY

There were two highly significant
ana interesting developments in State
politics Friday. Congressman Hard
WICK, Of the Tenth District, formally
announced his determination not to
stand for the House again, which an
nouncement is preliminary to his fur
ther formal announcement for the
senate, and a statement was circu-
lated by friend very close to Attor-
ney General Thomas S. Fielder, and
presumably thoroughly in his conf
dence, that Fielder will make his an
nouncement for the same position
Hardwick seeks, within the next few
daVs.
Congressman Hardwick apparently
mas pretty well burned his bridges
behind him in the Senatorial matter
but the entry of Attorney General
FIELDER unquestionably will tangle
things tremendously. even from the
Hardwick standpoint
Both men are closely allied to the
so-called Hoke Smith faction in Geor-
gia politics, and for both to run
would, theoretically. at least, give
Governor Slaton, Senator West, or
whoever should undertake to stand
for that faction, great advantage in
the contest.
Politicians, therefore. were giving
speculationstas to what the outcome
eventually will be, as between Hard
wick and Fielder
Messages Fly Fast.
The Attorney General recently was
in Washington, D. c.. and it is known
that messages by wire have flown
thick and fast between that city and
points in Georgia. SOUND the faith
full" as to Felder'S candidacy for the
Senate.
1t is stated that some of the fol-
lowers of Senator Smith have been
more or less upset recently by that
which they please to term Hard
wick's precipitate plunging into the
Senatorial race. Nevertheless, Hard
wick is now so far in that it admit
tedly will be big job to get him out.
And yet the anti Smith faction can
hardly figure it possible that both
Hardwick and Fielder will run for the
same job, thus making the defeat of
both theoretically likely.
The anti-Smith people. ever suspi
cious of the senior Senator, are figur-
ing that the injection of Fielder at
this time may be a move really to
pull the senior Senator out of an en-
barrassing situation, "in that with
both Hardwick and Fielder figuring
on the uneXpired term of Bacon, the
SGHlOE SendLOF wen might argue IIldC
he is not taking a hand in a program
'to sew up everything in sight," for
if he were, he surely would move
heaven and earth to keep both of his
staunch friends from running for the
junior Senatorship He hardly would
care to divide strength in that way.
Senator Smith Out of 1t.
On the other hand, it is known that
Senator Smith, asked directly as to
the advisability of Felder's candidacy,
replied that he would have nothing
to do in making a decision in that
matter''-that it was something Eel
der and Hardwick must figure out
for themselves
Politicians now are asking whether
it will be possible to pull Hardwick
out of the Senatorial race, and, per-
haps, switch him to the Governorship
race, and simultaneously to put Fell
der in the Senatorial race, and switch
him from the programmed Governors
race.
In fact, anyway the anti Smith fac
ton looked at the developments of
Friday, they grew mighty suspicious.
"It looks to me as if this Fielder