Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1920-07-31

Why Business Men Are Urging
Senator Smiths Reelection
/" HERE is much significance in the
spontaneity and earnestness with
d which leading men of affairs in Geor-
gia are urging the reelection of Senator
Hoke Smith. Regardless of their bygone
connections in politics.. they are for him at
this tuncture because, Sas they declare, the
State and the Democracy need him at
Washington They view the situation from
the vantage point of cool business observ-
ers and in the light of forthcoming issues
that will touch the vital interests, the treas
ured traditions of Georgia and the South.
The fact that they may have differed with
him most pronouncedly on certain questions
in the past does not blind them to the senior
Senator's distinguished service in behalf of
business and agriculture and education; it
does not keep them from seeing what he
has done for his constituents, what he has
gained for the Commonwealth, and how i'm
perative it is that Georgia shall have ex-
perienced and able representation in the
Senate in the crucial times which loom
ahead. - ..,..
"It is sound business policy" writes Mr..
]. K. Orr, "to retain tried and efficient
men. Those States have had most influence
that have kept their Senators longest in
service. Senator Hoke Smith is conceded to
be one of the six biggest-brained and most
forceful men in the Senate today" This is
not the praise of a partisan, but the judg-
ment of a practical watcher of events,
captain of industry whose devotion to the
State has been repeatedly and substantially
proved. Securing the Federal Reserve Bank
for Georgia against all sorts of Odds" he goes
on to argue, twas of itself a Herculean
task At hearing given in Atlanta it was
H. IL
was toward Richmond and New Orleans
The masterful address of Senator Hoke
Smith won the praise of even our COM
pet1tors. 1t was generally admitted that this
with the unt1ring work of the Senator in
Washington, won for us over the larger
city OF New Orleans. Who can measure the
financial prominence given this State and
section by having the Federal Reserve Bank
In Georgian" And Mr.. Orr's businesslike
conclusion is that strictly for the best in
terests of the State, Georgia should keep
Hoke Smith in the Senate"
"Strictly for the best interests of the
State,"-a meaningful phrase! Some there
are whose votes are governed by the inter-
ests of factional politics or personal animus,
by prejudices and hates, by quest of priv
1lege for clique or class, by. the Oldest of
grudges, by the newest of isms and fads.
Happily, however, these are a minority. The
ballots of the rank and file are controlled
best for the Commonwealth Bias and pas
sion may mislead them for season, but
when the record is complete and the issue
plainly drawn, they will vote, for the most
part, with the same reasonableness that
they bring to bear upon their own daily
affairs. So it is that leading citizens, some
OF, them among the senior Senator's warm
esq opponents in the Presidential prefer
ence primary, are now arguing cogenty
for his reelection.
Witness the statement of Hon. J. E. Shep-
pard, of Americas, formerly a Legislator
from Sumter county and one. Of the influ-
entail men of South Georgia: while /
supported Palmer in the recent primary, /
wish earnestly to approve the letter of Mr..
Orr urging that Georgia keep Hoke Smith
in the Senate. Senator Smith is the equal
as a. debator of any man in the Senate, and
has prepared and secured the passage of
much constructive legislation of great value
te. his constituents. The national Democrat
ica platform, in it's claim of credit for the
party, names four measures which were the
work of Senator Smith" Yet, Mr.. Sheppard
adds amidst those great legislative labors
the Senator has sighted no smallest in
terest of his constituents: t'He has been
able, faithful and tireless where they we're
concerned. Georgia needs him in the Sen
ate. The Democratic party needs him; and
a majority Of the men I meet, who voted
for Palmer, will vote to keep him there.
no matter who else are candidates. We
really feel he should have no opposition. -
Equally impressive is the statement of
Hon. John N. Watts of Shellman, who earn
ed high distinction as State senator from
the Eleventh district and whose opinion
carries weight throughout that region OF
Georgia. 81 was very much against Sena-
tor Smiths entering the Presidential pref
erence primary" he writes, ''and l voted
against him. but we need him and must
have him in the Senate. !. Whether the
Republicans win in the national contest or
not, we are sure to have a. revival of the
old Force Bill menace. 1t is important
to Georgia and the South Sto.- have expe-
rienced men of ability and of proven inter-
est in this vital question Of suffrage sure
to come to the front in the~next Senate
rial term. AS an active Palmer supporter
l beg those who were associated with me
in the contest, or with whom / affiliated
to consider the Importance to all of us of
keeping in the Senate this man of proven
ability and strength"
Such is the attitude of thoughtful prac-
tical-minded Georgians in every clan of the
party and every district of the State. They
stand not only for justice to useful pub
lie servant, but above all, for protection Of
the States vital interests. Their judgment
} found particularly forceful expression in q
Tscent utterance of Colonel William Peel