Americus times-recorder., 1920-04-04
PALMER Clubs
FOR MED; Smith
MEN SOUND CALI.
Organizations To Unite
In Supplying Election
Boards

Sumter county will hold primary
on April 20. in accordance with the
order of the state executive commit
tee, despite the fact that the county
executive committee is without funds
for such primary. This became a
certainty Saturday upon the organ
ization of a Palmer-For-P President
club in Americus, when it was an
nounced that the Palmer organization
would propose at once to the Hoke
Smith hackers that they unie in
bearing responsibility for the primary,
providing the men, either volunteers
or paid men if necessary, to consti-
tute the election boards in each mil
itia district. The proposal is that the
Palmer and Smith organizations sup
ply the men for these boards on an
equal basis.
Although the Smith organization
has not yet taken form, it was stated
by Smith followers Saturday, after
noon, when they learned Of the pro-
posal, that without doubt it would be
gladly accepted. The Palmer men
asserted that if it were not accepted
they would themselves make all the
provision for the primary, thus as
suring the voters being given the
opportunity of expressing their
choice for president.
Palmer Club Formed.
The formation of the local Pal
mer club was the most important de-
velopment of Saturday, politically.
A meeting of some two dozen men
met in the offices of j. E. Sheppard
and perfected organization. W. A.
Dodson was temporary chairman, and
II. o. Jones temporary secretary. The
following permanent officers were
chosen: r. l.. Maynard, president;
Dr. j. X. Statham, vice president; E.
Il. A. Nisbet, secretary; J. w. Lott,
treasurer. 1t was noted that all of
the officers were formerly Hoke
Smith supporters, some of them noted
as rabidly pro-Smith Some outsid-
ers professed to see method in the
selections.
The organization meeting lasted
an hour, it was said, and was an en-
thusiastic affair. The expected com
ing of Attorney General Palmer to
Amerlcus this week for a speech was
discussed, and it was stated that def
mite word from him was awaited 1t
was said the present arrangement
contemplates the coming of the at
torney general here Thursday after
noon via the Seaboard from Savan-
nah, where he is billed to speak
Wednesday night. Arriving here at
3 p. M, he would be taken at once
if the weather is fair, to the Wind.
sor, where he would speak from the
balcony, affording a maximum num-
Der OF people opportunity to see and
hear him. AS soon as possible after
his speech he would be started by
auto for Macon, where he is scheduiI
ed to speak Thursday evening.
Smith Men to Organize.
The Hoke Smith followers were
also active Saturday and announce
ment was made of an organization
meeting of his friends to be held
Monday evening at 7:30 o'clock at
| the Windsor Hotel. BESIDES arrang-
ing for carrying on the campaign for
Senator Smith in this county, the
Monday night meeting is expected to
| arrange for the entertainment of the
senator during his visit to Americus
| Wednesday and for his speech at II
O'Clock Wednesday morning. Inas-
much as the senator has stated that
ne will be in Americas all of that dav
for the purpose of comforting with
his friends from Sumter and sur
rounding counties, arrangements
must be made for the various confer
ences which are to be held.
A decided Tightening of interest
IN the Georgia primary was noticed
here Saturday with an Indication that
1T would become more intense with
the appearance here the middle of
the week, and within a few hours of
each other of the two principal rivals
for the presidential preference in
Georgia.
Friends of Thos E. Watson, who
sent an invitation last Saturday to
him to speak in Americus at an early
date, stated that no word had been
received from him.