Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-11-06
MURPHEY GAMBLER
INDICATES HE WILL
ENTER SENATE RACE
He Opposes, However, Pre-
cipitating Early Campaign
That Might Distract People
From National Services

c. Murphey Gambler. chairman of the
Georgia railroad commission and for
years noted for his disinterested pa
! triotic and constructive service, has in
dicated that he will. in all probability,
! be candidate to succeed Thomas w.
Hardwick in the United States senate.
He has not yet made his formal an
| nouncement. He believes that people
are too intent Just now on matters of
individual, as well as national impor-
| lance, for a protracted political cam
paign to be precipitated; that tn pri-
mary is too far distant to justify a cam
paign distactlng from the individual
national service that now is uppermost
! in most minds.
For these reasons" he says, 81 pre-
| fer not to make formal announce
ment at this time The activities Of
other candidates and prospective candi-
dates, however, seem to justify me in
letting my friends know of my aspira-
| tons, at this time"
This he does in reply to a letter
| from Emerson II. George, the we'll
known lawyer and legislator from Madi-
| son, Ga.
IF the suggestion is sufficiently en-
| couraged by personal and political
friends in whose judgment 1 have con-
| fidence," he says, ait is my desire and
purpose to become a candidate in the
democratic primary next year to succeed
| the Honorable Thomas w. Hardwick in
| the senate"
ENGROSSED IN DUTIES OF OFFICE.
Mr. George, whose letter of injury
refers to Mr.. Gambler as "a man so
! engrossed in the duties of his office and
| in his unseIfish and voluntary service
of the government as to be wholly un-
mindful of his political advancement"
I f,4a
titled to know definitely the correctness
or incorrectness of the rumor that he
will be a candidate for the senate He
assures him that mo man in Georgia
is more fitted by character, ability and
training to promote the interests of the
people in the high office named"
A NATIVE OF DEKALR
c. Murphey Gambler is a native of
DeKalb county, Ga, where he was rear
ed and where he now lives, at Decatur.
His public service has been long and
active.
Not only has he filled faithfully Of
fices to which he has been elected, but
has taken on additional burdens that
entailed no remuneratiop-notab that
of a member of the Western & Atlantic
commission and the craftsmanship of
the state executive committee of the
food pledge card campaign, both of
which offices have called for a great
deal of service of purely a patriotic
nature.
AS a member of the Georgia legisla-
ture for eleven years, Mr.. Gambler made
quite an enviable record. He was in the
house of representative in 1886, 'S7, 'SS
and 'S9, in 1902, '03, '04, '07 and '0S
and in the senate in 1905 and 1906.
He was active in the preparation and
passage of a number of measures of
constructive legislation notably those
providing the upbuilding of a thorough
system of public education and adequate
appropriations for it's support; the pro-
hibition of child labor in manufacturing
establishments; the equitable taxation
of the tangible and franchise properties
of railroads and public service corpora
tions; the abolition of convict leasing
the establishment and support of a thor
ough state college of agriculture and
district agricultural schools and many
other measures.
He declined a seat in the general as
sembly Of 19O9-10 to accept membership
on the railroad commission, rendered by
Governor Hoke Smith He has been a
member of the commission since April l.,
1909. and chairman since November l.,
1911.
An evidence of the national recognition
of his services was his election a few
weeks ago as second vice president of
the National Association of Railway
Commissioners, body composed of
members of the interstate commerce
commission and members of the various
state commissions. This was the only
elective office in the power of the body
to confer, since, according to the rota-
ton plan, vice presidents are advanced
each year.
When he was appointed to the West
ern and Atlantic railway commission,
his associates unanimously elected him
chairman. He was active in releasing
the road for a largely increased cash
rental upon the stipulation that the
lessee shall spend, for the benefit of the
state, at least 100000.
His work on the railroad commission
has always been conceded as fair and
just and. he has done much in promoting
cordial relations between the public and
railroads.
Ever since President Wilson became a
candidate for the presidency, Mr.. Cand-
Ter has supported him and his measures
Now, he says "our country is involved
in the greatest war of all history. It's
entrance into this war was for the main
tenance of our national self-respect in
defense of our rights as an Independent
nation and of great international prin-
ciples.
Every true patriot" he asserts Wig
orously, should zealously support the
administration and all well considered
and constitutional measures proposed by
it to bring the conflict to an early
and successful termination.
This l shall do whether in or out
of the senate"
His service in the food conservation
campaign is one of many evidences Of
his patriotic service. He has contributed
a son to service in the army.
The correspondence between Mr. Cand-
| Ter and Mr.. George follows:
MR.. GEORGES LETTER.
Madison, Ga, Oct. 81, 1917.
| Hon. c. NJ. Gambler Atlanta, Ga.
Dear Murphy; 1t is good to see
| man so engrossed in the duties of
his office and in his unselfish and
voluntary service of the government
as to be wholly unmindful of his
political announcement. However.
| you must be aware that persistent
| rumor declares the probability that
| you will be a candidate for United
| States senator from this state With
out presuming to advise, it seems
to me that the time is at hand when