Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-10-04
WATSON CONTEST IS
To Be DECIDED BY
10TH COMMITTEE
Caucus Votes Against Taxing
Matter to State Committee
Judge Hills Contest Before
Convention in Macon
BY ROGERS WINTER
fJourzaI stan Correspondeut.)

MACON. Ga. Oct. st was nearly
IL o'clock before the state Democratic
convention was called TO order this
norzinS. Following prayer by DR.. Doug
las. Of Macon. the convention elected
Nathaniel r. CulpepperA of Meriwether
county, as temporary chairman hiram
Gardner. Of Putnam county was then
elected temporary secretary.
The committee on credentials and the
committee on rules were then announc-
ed by the temporary chairman The
committee on credentials was as fol-
lows: W. ]. Willie. chairman; 5. Z.
Grower: Hollis Fort. S. J Slate, A J.
Fleming. Joseph 5. Calhoun. d, Owens
A. S. Chamblee. II. J. Quaince, l.. ID.
Shannon.
The committee on rules was as fol-
lows: j. J. Z. Anderson, CHAIRMAN n n
Mclaughlin, Walter Pharr. W. p Wal
lace, E T. Lindsey, J. Il TWeedy, l.
Z tate, 4. Z. Massengale. J. D Cope
While these committees were in ses-
sion in anterooms, Temporary Cnalr-
man Culpepper delivered an eloquent
address reviewing the achievements
of the Democratic party and euloglzing
President Wilson as the greatest states
man of the age His references 20 Ins
president were greeted with pIoIoE..s, 90
brought in a report recommending that
the delegates named by the governor
be recognized as the duly accredited
delegates. This report was unanimous
~ adopted Watson Contest
shortly before the convention was
CALLED to order the deIesateS from M, me
Gus and passed z resolution declar ,aa:
= should be decided by the Democrauc
triet The vote Of the resolution was
is to g. Major Charles Z McGregor'
of Warren county, formerly a watson
lieutenant but now al outs VIII nm
Supporters OF Congressman Ninson'
led BY William H Burwell, or Sparta
were planning TO fight the Watson con-
test right from the jump on the tlooT
Of the convention. taking the position
that il ought 10 go back TO the TENTH
district executive committee, and that
the district committees action ought
and must be final in the matter.
Judge Hiu is here with Judge Spencer
P Atkinson. OF Atlanta and other sup
porters: John D HumphTles Is mere
as his attorney. The latter contends
that the action OF the Fulton county
executive committee In oVerrulins
Judge Hills contests was final and de-
cfsfye and that Judge Hill has no right
OF appeal TO the state convention or
state committee On the other hand
Judge Atkinson contends that the oIflce
Of judge OF the superior court Is not
local office but state office voted on
by the entire state in the general cleo
ton, and hence Judge Hill does have
the right 10 bring his appeal TO the
IN well-fnformed circles it was pre-
dicted that the convention would refer
both contests 20 the new. state eXecu-
would send them TO a subcommittee,
and that this subcommittee would
override both contests
FIynt Permanent Chairman
Pending the report OF the rules COM
rnittee, the temporary chairman enter
tanned nominations for permanent chair
" was unanimously elected upon nomi-
alton OF a B ConCer. OF Decatur
county: seconded by FELTON, Hatcher. OF
Bibb county, and Judge H ". Hopkins,
Hiram Gardner was then elected per
ruanent secretary OF the convention.
The rules committee then submitted a
report recommending as usual that the
parliamentary rules of the general as
sembly of Georgia be adopted for the
procedure OF the convention
In regard to contested nominations
the rules committee recommended that
all such contests be Immediately re-
ferred to the state executive commit
te without debate, the state committee
o have tpOwer act This Immediately
brought a resolution from w. Fl. Bur
we'll OF Hancock floor leader for con-
gresham Carl NinsOn, proposing TO
amend the committees report by pro-
-idinE that the contest by Thomas l..
Watson in the Tenth district should be
referred to the Tenth district eXecu-
tfv committee with power to act finally.
In accepting his nomination: Govern
or Dorsey delivered a very brief speech
in which he renewed his pledge to dedi-
cate his best efforts to the service OF
the people; spoke of the states unprece-
dented prosperity, ana expressed his
qualification that Gecrgia's loyalty and
patriotism. questioned because OF the
MISREPRESENTATION by some in high Of
nee, have been abundantly indicated b.
the results of the recent election
william ]. Harris Nominated
William J. Harris was then nominated
by his campaign manager, DIR. L. ,.
Ledbetter. who spoke of his lifelong
friendship for Mr.. Harris, Of his strug-
giles in boyhood against adversely and
of his sterling qualities as a citizen and
a man he spoke OF the brothers and
nephews Of Mr.. Harris who are now m
the military service OF the nation, and
gave a glowing recital OF Mr.. Harris
record IN the federal government.
mention by DR.. sLedbetter of the
rame of Mrs. Harris. who is a daugh-
ter of the late General joe Wheeler
was received by the convention with
gracious and prolonged applause Mrs
Harris was seated in the convention
hall
In conclusion. DIR. Ledbetter present
ed Mr.. Harris as a man who measures
nm to the fuel stature Of a man.
friends whose loyalty has never beer
disputed az a partiot who eXemplifes
the finest traditions of his family and
his state and as a public servant wnC
will never shirk a duty laid upon him