Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1920-08-05
Putting Patriotism
Above Part;sansh;b
IN highly significant statement touching

AOOpS FQfC5SQnSH1p
IN highly significant statement touching
the Georgia Senatorial race DR.. o. B
- Bush, of Pelham, member of the Legis-
ature from Mitchell county and heretofore
a stanch adherent of Governor Dorsey, as
we'll as a pronounced opponent of Senator
Smith, declares that in the present cam
paign he will vote and work for the Sena-
tors reelection.
In giving the reasons and motives that
constrained him to this step, DR.. Bush
brings to light an interesting bit of recent
history. He was one of about hundred
of the Governors tried friends invited to a
political conference at the Executive man
sion on last Saturday Now, according to
the inspired report of what developed on
that occasion, those called into counsel were
unanimous in soliciting the Governor to enter
the Senatorial contest. Not so, says this d.
rect and candid witness. On the contrary
1.-THE action of the conference was
seventy-six to twenty-five, and num-
Der Of those present expressed the opin-
ion that the Governor could not carry
their counties"
The lgrounds on which DR.. Bush opposed
the Governors entering the race are espe-
cially worth considering because it may be
fairly assumed that they represent the judg-
ment, not alone of the dissentients at the
Mansion conference but also Of q multitude
of others who are disregarding past politics
for Georgia's vital future interests. Says
the gentleman from Mitchell: II did not
think he Governor Dorsey should run.
have always been friend of the Governors
and his warm supporter, but
"The race in my section is between Sen
.ec ator Hoke Smith and Thomas Il. wat a-
% SON, and the votes the Governor gets -
will simply help Tom Watson. I have
never cast ballot for Hoke Smith, but
shall do so in the coming primary,
and actively support him. There are a
number Of reasons why l shall take this
course.
ST believe that Senator Smith Is the
lest qualified man, by reason Of his ex-
)erience and ability, to serve Georgia
and Georgians in the Senate at this
time. He is certainly one of the big
gest men in the United States Senate,
and his position on committees in the
senate will enable him to be Of vital
value to Georgia in handling the prob
lens Immediately ahead of u.s.
ST also believe the race is between
Senator Smith and Tom Watson, and for
this reason 1 hope all loyal Democrats
may lay aside past political prejudices
and unite on Senator Smith.
81 shall do everything within my power
that is consistent and right to help
bring about his reelection"
Here speaks sound judgment as distin-
gu;shed from prejudice, and patriotism as dis
tingiushed from factional politics. Here stands
before has opposed Governor Dorsey and
never before has supported Senator Smith.
Every impulse of a purely personal or par
tisan nature would dispose him to encour-
age the Governors ambition and to join the
interests behind the latter's candidacy. But
he sees the issues Of this momentous cam
paign as involving vastly more than any
mans political fortunes and dreams. He
sees the need Of the rarty, the welfare Of the
State, the right of the people of Georgia to
the most efficient and most fruitful Sena-
torial service they can secure. And in the
light of these largest considerations he sees
his duty as a citizen. Not to support the
ablest candidate, the most experienced and
best qualified to get results for his con-
stituents would be, in the opinion of this
practical and patriotic observer, recreance
to the highest interests Of the Common
wealth.
That Senator Hoke Smith is the best
qualified, the most experienced and the al
together ablest Of those in the contest, will
be readily granted, we believe, by anyone
who studies the situation in it's broadest as
poets and bearings. His record itself proves
his rare effectiveness in initiating and press
ing to enactment legislation of a construc-
tive and serviceable character Every in
formed and fair-minded observer knows that
the rural, educational and business interests
of Georgia are profiting today and profiting
richly, by Senatorial measures of which Hoke
Smith was the author and by hard won bat
ties in which he was their intrepid and re-
sourceful champion. The Agricultural Ex-
scz5.on act, together with those providing
for vocational training and for the rehabili-
tation of our wounded soldiers and victims
of industrial accident, are recognized, not
simply in the South, but the country over,
as landmarks in useful and humane legisla-
ton. The National Democratic Convention
at San Francisco, in reciting the party
salient services and urging it's soundest
claims to the nations continued confidence,
saw fit to refer directly to four laws which
Georgias senior Senator had launched and
steered to passage. The workingmen of this
State who have read the record know the
firmness and vigor with which he has stood
for their rights; and surely every farmer
knows the long, hard, victorious fight he has
made for theirs and Georgia's threatened in
terests.
In the light of such record is it not
natural that thinking citizens like DR.. Bush
and a host of others now speaking out
should urge Senator Smiths reelection and
should deplore an incident that can tend only
to divide the loyal Democratic vote. Co.