Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-01-08
4 WEEKS DEVELOPMENTS
IN SENATORIAL CONTEST
Americas Paper Takes Poll,
Harris DeferS Resignation,
UpShaW'S Statement

There were several interesting devel-
opments last week in the contest for
United States senator for the place
now held by Senator Thomas w. Hard
wick. One of these was poll of the
Georgia newspapers taken by the Am
CIRCUS Times-R Recorder, the result of
which was published last Sunday. The
Tlmes-Recorder announced that OF the
daily and weekly newspapers replying
to its inquiry, a majority OF them con-
sidered William j. farms the logical
candidate to oppose Senator Hardwlck
i'll the next election. Later in the week
Mr.. Harris gave out statement in
Washington in which he announced that
he would not resign his position as
~chairman of the federal trade commits
sion for the purpose of making the
race for the senate until some time in
the spring. In his statement, Mr.. Har-
ris said:
Mr. Harris Statement
From reports which have been
reaching me from Georgia ever since l
was there about a month ago, l am
most encouraged over the situa ton. In
fact, l am so much encouraged that
have decided to remain in my place
here until some time in the spring.
This is time for every real man to
stand squaroly behind the administra-
ton work with the president and help
win the war. 1 believe the work / am
doing for the country now is far more
important to the people of Georgia and
to the country generally than discuss
ing politics with them when ii is not
politics they want, but relief from the
many expressing conditions-high cost
of food, scarcity of coal, and other
matters with which people generally
are familiar. For these reasons / shall
remain where l am for the present let
politics alone, so far as discussing them
at the present time, and stay here
and help win the war 1 expect to do
my part and when the proper time
comes the Georgia people will know
that I have sent the president my res
ignation."
dr. Upshaw's Comment.
Commenting on the Times-Recorder's
poll and Mr.. Harris's announced inten-
tion of deferring his resignation, Will
opposing, Mr. Hardwick, Saturday af-
ternon gave out a. statement in which
he declared:
1.-THE effort of certain politicians to
bull the market in behalf of Mr.. w. J.
Harris for United States senator is adj
mittedly enterprising and diplomatic but
very far from conclusive"
Mr. Upshaw declared that only about
fifty counties were heard from in the
poll Of the Americas Times Recorder
and that many Of the reports received
were not for Mr.. Harris.
Continuing Mr.. Upshaw declared, mo
man can go to the senate at a time
like this who does not go on the stump
and discuss the actual issues before the
people. was the first man that an
nounced against Mr.. Hardwick and by
a life time alignment against the meas
ures he has chiefly championed I rep
resent the original opposition to the
Junior senator, who has misrepresented
Georgia both on the liquor question and
governmental loyalty. have challenged
him to public discussion and no man
ought to run for the senate who is
unwilling to meet him on the stump
before the thousands whom he has mis-
led.
Another Situation brought about by
the inconclusive Harris drive is the un-
thinkable and untenable position of one
prominent editor that he will wait for
the president to indicate his choice and
then back up the presidential prefer
ence. have too high an opinion of
our presidents wisdom and Justice to
expect to see him seek to interfere in
a state campaign between brother dem
ocrats and loyal Americans. Surely
patriotic citizens in Georgia should
have too much consideration for our
burdened president in time of war to
intrude upon him the extra burden of
helping to elect a United States sena-
tor"
Commenting on Mr.. Harris's announce
ment in reference to his resignation,
Mr.. UpShaw says:
"And now Mr.. Harris comes out from
Washington in a beautiful panegyric
on patriotism, declaring he is too much
needed in helping President Wilson win
the war to think about politics and that
he is not going to resign until away
out yonder in the spring. Meantime
his campaign propaganda goes merrily
on-at ten thousand a year.
eff Mr.. Harris is so greatly needed
where he Isl to help the government
win the war, let him do the patriotic
deed and stay at his job--at least until
he redeems his promise of last summer
to have plenty of coal at reasonable
prices for the winter'-and leave other
men lust as patriotic and able as he is
10 fight out the senatorial succession
in the good old Democratic way"
C. Murphey Gambler, chairman of the
state railroad commission, told the
Journal Saturday afternoon that he ex-
pected to make q definite decision as to
whether he will enter the senatorial race
within the next thirty days. Mr. Gambler
says that he has received letters from
all sections Of the state, urging him to
become a. candidate. However, there are
several matters that demand his undl-
vided attention at present and until they
are disposed of he will make no further
public announcement of his intentions.