Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-05-14
HOWARD ARRA|GNS
HARDW|CK' S RECORD
ADDRESS CONFERENCE
Fifth District Congressman
Gets Warm Reception at
WrightSviIIe, Where He Be-
gan Career 20 Years Ago
BY ED II. BRADLEY.
Journal Staff Correspondent

journal STAFF Correspondent
wRIGHTSvILLE. Ga, May IL
Speaking in the courthouse where
twenty years ago he was admitted to
the bar as a raw practitioner, Con-
gresham William Schley Howard Sat
urday launched his campaign for the
United States senate in opposition to
the present incumbent, Thomas w.
Hardwick. The courthouse was filled
to overlooking by an enthusiastic au-
dience, composed not only of the boy
hood friends of the congressman but
of many of the most influential bust
ness and political leaders of johnson
and adjoining counties. Mr.. Howard
was given a splendid ovation and his
friends were immensely pleased with
the manner in which his campaign for
the senate got under way. His speech
was listened to with eager interest and
frequently he was forced to pause UNI
til the outbursts of cheering and APP
pIause subsidized. When he predicted
senator Hardwick's overwhelming de-
feat, declaring him to be unfit to rep
resent the loyal commonwealth OF
Georgia, the house shook with roars OF
approval ,,
Mr.. Howard was introduced by VIII
liam Faircloth. former judge of the city
II.
a man and as a public servant
Recalling at the outset of his speech
Mr.. Howard was greeted during {
day nv scores of representative citi-
zens from all sections Of Johnson -coun-
~ and from Laurens, Emanuel, Twiggs
and Washington counties. Among those
who assured him that sentiment In
these counties is rapidly crystallizine
in his favor were ]. E. Burtch and
L. O. Stubs. of Laurens; Judge
l.. Kent. J. W. Brinson, William Far
cloth. w. NJ. Shurling, T. NJ. Hicks
]. NJ. Cook. B. H. Meyer and w. Il.
McWhorter.
Text Of Speech
Mr.. Towards speech follows:
Nv Fellow Citizens:
Called upon at this the most criti-
cal period in the history of the
world to select a United States SEN
ator for a term of six years, the
people of Georgia are charged with
a very solemn responsibility. In
view of all the circumstances that
have transpired, the action that
shall be taken by the people of this
state will be the most signihcant
election in the world. No consld-
Grafton of partisan politics, per-
sonal friendship or political ami
mostly ought to weigh in 1T The
personal ambition of no man in the
state should have the slightest in
fiuence.
So far as I am concerned, 1 am
prepared to say here without re-
serve that 1 want the people of this
state to choose their senator with
an eye single to the interests OF
America and to the interests OF
democracy. If / am not the most
suitable of the candidates who will
be voted for, vote against me. II
there is any other man seeking your
SURFACES whose election will con-
tribute more to the welfare of
America. the honor of this state and
The cause of democracy, give no
thought to my ambitions.
Indeed, 1 want to make ii clear
that / am not seeking this office
because of any personal ambition.
Ny preference would have been to
go on as 1 could have gone, with
out opposition, and continue to rep
resent the Fifth district with the
singular position of influence and
advantage that / already enjoy by
reason of my committee assign
ments I declare to you that I am
not making this race because of any
ambition of my own. / long ago
became convinced that the course
Of Senator Hardwick has been such
as not only to imperil the welfare
OF these United States and the safe
ty of democracy, but to bring re-
proach upon the people of Georgia;
and that il was a matter not mere
" of national, but of international
importance. that the people of
Georgia should vindicate themselves
from the undeserved odium that
has befanen them on account of his