Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-08-16

J. Harris in Georgia? Look over the
Well-known roster of reaCtionary poll
ticianS, who have never stood for any
thing in harmony with the progressive
thought of the state, and see where
you find them. Those that are not
supporting William j. Harris are sup
porting Thomas w. Hardwick. Ant.
who is supporting William Schley How
ard? Thirty-five thousand laboring men
in Georgia are supporting Howard.
Twenty-six thousand railroad men in
Georgia are supporting Howard. Thirty
five thousand organized farmers in
Georgia are supporting Howard. Why
are these men supporting me? Because
they know that L have voted in behalf
of every measure that ever came be-
fore me in the interest of human up
lift and political progress. They know
that l have voted in favor of those
measures that would make the smile of
their children brighter and sweeter.
They know that 1 have voted in favor
of those measures that would make
their homes and families happier. They
know that | was the only member of
the Georgia delegation in congress who
voted for the child labor bill to pro-
tect the innocent boys and girls from
industrial greed. They know that
Georgia legislature, l introduced the
first bill to make the railroads ano
other public service corporations of
Georgia pay taxes on their franchises.
And this very Ed Brown, who is fight
ing me now, was fighting me then
This very Clark Howell, who is fighting
me now, was fighting me then. They
murdered me at the next Legislative
election in DeKalb county, but thank
God the Honorable Charles MurpheN
Gambler was elected, and re-introduced
the tax bill and passed it without a
single change at the very next session
These men, these reactionaries, seek
ing to destroy me, seeking to trace some
unworthy mark across nv pathway nave
seen that the people were about to ele-
vate me to the highest office within
their gift. And then they went to the
man whom I have supported with all
the loyalty of my soul and sought to
nail my hands upon the cross of their
own greed and their own selfish and
sinister motives
why are the people going to remove
Hardwiok? Because he has misrepre-
scented their patriotic sentiments in the
highest deliberative body in the world.
And William j Harris is more respon-
sible for Hardwicks presence in the SEN
ate than any other man in Georgia. cap
plause.) Harris cannot make speech.
He cannot make a talk. He cannot
even read correctly speech that some
body writes for him. And if he should
go to the senate, which he never will,
followed by his speaking bureau, the
doorkeeper of the senate would close the
door. and say to Mr.. Bale, and say to
Mr.. Burwell and say to Mr.. Bennett,
and say to Mr.. Galloway, and say to the
others, that the rules of the senate per-
mitted none of them to go upon the floor.
Then what would you do?" daughter
and applause.)
Here Congressman Howard turned his
attention to Senator Hardwick and de-
livered a powerful arraignment of that
gentleman's record of opposition to all
of the indispensable measures prepar-
ing the nation for the prosecution OF
the war
And when Hardwick came to Georgia
on July T. 1917, and delivered his speech
at Columbus that barely grazed treason.
said Congressman Howard, who went
into the newspapers OF Georgia, and
who went on the stump before the peo-
pie of Georgia, and answered his attacks
on the president, and explained the Sc
lective service, and defended the
war policies of the administration? Was
attempting to defend any policy. The
selective service law was not so well
understood in the summer of 1917 as *
is today. 1t was not so popular then
as it is today. And now Harris goes
to Carrollton and tells the people that
II he is elected to the senate he will
bring their boys back from Europe. That
is remarkable proposition. How is ne
going to do it?' (Laughter)
Here Congressman Howard touched
on some features of the Harris record.
including his great business ability
based upoE his failure with his fire
insurance company" his Investigations
OF gasoline, coal and food; his hurried
departure to Washington Immediately
after the presidential election of 191 :
for the purpose of "cashing in" his
support of Mr.. Wilson
"Is It Fair7"
Now. in conclusion, my good
friends" said Congressman Howard, "if
l thought my continuance In this con.
test would aid Senator Hardwick III
the slightest degree, / would retire to-
night before leaving this rostrum. To-
cay streams of people poured into my
headquarters before / left Atlanta.
Scores of kilograms came in from every
section of the state. And what did they
say! 1ney SAID thdt the farmers OF
Georgia are not going to swallow Will
liam Harris. They said that the labor
ing men of Georgia are not going to
swallow William ]. Harris. The presi-
dent believes what Clark Howell ana
one or two other designing politicians
told him for purposes of their own.
They did it because they thought 1t was
the only possible way to prevent my
overwhelming election. (ApplauseO It
it pretty hard, my friends. when 1
h ave guarded my public record as sa-
credly as / would guard the life of my
little lahy girl. when the am5 ton or
my life has been to leave to my boys
a heritage of honor in the service of my
state ana the service of my nation.
when have supported the leaders of my
party with answering devotion-it Is
hard. oh, it is hard, to have them bring
to bear against me the presidents great
Influence. Do you think it is right?
(Shouts of 'Nor) Do you think 1t is
fair? (Shouts of NOD
THE president did not do it. He BE-
lieved these men who are seeking TO
destroy me for no other reason thai