Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-08-11

II
Nashville railroad in the other pocket.
Joined the enemies of the state in this
effort to destroy the Western and At
lantic railroad. If he knew the pro-
visions OF the constitution. making II
his duty 10 represent the state, he
should not be elected governor, because
he violated its plain requirement; If he
did not know its provisions, his ignor-
ance Of the fundamental law OF the
state disquali1es him for the office
whose chief duty will be its enforce
ment.
WON'T PERMIT SIDESTEP.
"I have not attacked Mr.. Dorsey for
his professional connection with the At
lanta and West Point Railroad COM
pany: 1 admit the propriety of that en-
ployment. He replies TO my attack on
him. and his connection with the Louis
willie and Nashville referred TO by calling
attention to my employment as local
counsel by the Central of Georgia rail-
road and the Georgia railroad at MIL
ledgeviIle l will not permit him to
s.destep the real question by this re-
tort. 1 attack him. not because he rep
resented the Atlanta and West Point,
nor. indeed, because he represented the
Louisville and Nashville as a lawyer,
but because. as lawyer. he asserted
that the legislation designed TO save the
Western and Atlantic from utter de-
struction. was void.
He now seeks TO be elected governor,
whose duty IT will be TO uphold the
validity of that legislation, which as a
lawyer he has attacked.
whether I am a factor in the race
remains TO be seen. i will accept Mr..
Dorsey's egotistical prophecy on this
matter. no more than 1 will rely on the
accuracy OF his memory. as to recon-
lmendations OF pardons made by him TO
ha Solicitor
eral.
"In the meantime my offer to discuss
his record, and mine his qualifications
and mine, is open for acceptance at any
time, Notwithstanding his assertion that
he doubts the sincerity Of my invita-
ton"
MIR. DoRsEY's LETTER.
The following is Mr.. Dorsey's letter:
Atlanta. Ca. August Z, 1916.
Hon. Joseph E. Pottle, EOS Kimoal
House, Atlanta, Ga.
Dear Sir: Your letter OF August 2,
sent to my headquarters during my
advertised absence in south Georgia,
has Just reached me upon my return
to Atlanta
The language of your original COM
munication upon the same subject az
forded me ample cause to suspect the
sincerity OF the invitation therein ex-
tended. but I preferred to waive the
doubt and to act upon the assump-
ton that the invitation was extended
to all candidates In good faith inVok-
ing a Joint discussion of issues by all
of the announced candidates for gov
ernor.
therefore replied promptly and
ccurteously as follows:
Your letter of the 2sth inst. has
Just been handed me, and 1 assume
as matter of course, that In recogni-
ton of the prophecies of the situa-
ton, the invitation therein contained
has been extended to each Of the other
candidates for nomination to the position
of governor.
ION this assumption, 1 will be pleased
to delegate a representative to meet
with representatives of Governor Har-
ris, DR.. Hardman and yourself, at some
convenient time and place, to arrange
the details of such joint discussion as
may be agreed upon among the candi-
dates.
THE ISSUES.
THE so-called issues referred to in
your letter are being fully discussed
in my campaign before the people, and
! believe to their satisfaction. but IL 1t
should be the desire of the candidates
for governor to meet in a joint dis
cussion of any issues that have been
or may be injected into the campaign,
will rearrange my present schedule
to conform to any dates that may be
agreed upon among the representatives
OF all OF the candidates for the COVER
norship."
Ny reply has been so obviously mis-
represented in your present communi-
cation as to convert into certainty my
original conviction that your CORE
spondence is not based upon a desire
20 enIighten the public on the views
hxy candidates
but is solely animated by a self-serving
purpose to usurp the leadership of the
opposition to my candidacy, and to pro-
woke a fruitless controversy between
you and me, without reference to the
views and records Of Governor Harris
or Dr. Hardman, and without regard to
their interest as candidates for the Of
fee to which we all aspire.
While I am not personally concerned
In the apparent discourtesy involved
in this attitude to these gentlemen,
will not become a party to an exclusive
controversy limited to any one OF the
four announced candidates for the gov
eTnorship.
INDIVIDUAL CONTROVERSY.
dd,without purpose. Of intentional
cfIense, that IL such limited controver-
sy should under any circumstances be-
come proper or expedient, IL will not
be confined to a discussion with that
enc of my opponents, who. in my Cpin-
ion, based on satisfactory evidence
gathered from all sections of Georgia,
is not a serious factor in the pending
race.
Apart from these considerations, the
list of so-calleed issues enumerated in
your original communication would
make an individual controversy with
you fruitless, II not ridiculous, from
the standpoint of the public.
I am unwilling to submit to you, as
the paid attorney of the Louisville and
Nashville Railroad company, lessee OF
the Georgia railroad, who have long,
and no doubt faithfully, represented
the Louisville and Nashville railroad
in the courts and upon its payroll, any
effect upon my qualification for public
Office, resulting from litigation with
which my former partnership was incl.
dentally connected.
That such an alleged disqualification
should be advanced by a member of
the legal department of the Louisville
and Nashville Railroad company should,
! in itself, be sufficient refutation of
the inference that undue influence in
behalf of your client against the state
might result from such condition.
UNWILLING.
am equally unwilling 10 have my
| loyalty to the present prohibition law
measured by an opposing candidate
whose convictions on that important