Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1920-02-27
Public Opinion Demands
Fair Play for HooUer
rT% HERE can be no doubt that the
weight of thoughtful opinion in

UT wy JOI IL wv w
TN HERE can be no doubt that the
weight of thoughtful opinion in
Georgia roundly, and rightly, con-
dennis the restrictions which a subsection
| OF the State Democratic Executive Commit
tee proposes to clamp upon the voters in the
forthcoming Presidential primary That the
subcommittee should abandon the just and
sensible rule which it originally announced
concerning the entry of candidates and should
adopt radically different regulation for
| the apparent purpose Of keeping Herbert
HooVers name off the ballot, naturally Of
tends the sense of fair-play which is instinct
i've in this democratic Commonwealth. "In
any case" ran the original rule, where one
hundred or more white Georgia Democrats
file with the Committee by April the 1st., a
petition requesting that the name of any
man be placed upon the ballot, his name shall
be so placed" Under this simple provision
the Democratic rank and file were left I'M
fettered to judge for themselves of every
candidates qualifications. And if they are not
capable of judging, why hold the primary at
all? Why not delegate to the subcommittee
Of seven, estimable gentlemen that they are,
absolute power TO do the thinking and voting
of the Georgia electorate? Evidently the sub
committee considers some such guardianship
needful, or it would never have cancelled it's
first rule for one which in effect prohibits
the people from voting Herbert Hoover
unless ne ''QuallneS unQer tnlS committee s
own test Of Democracy.
There is a high tide of evidence that this
action is meeting the widespread and emphat-
ic disapproval which it deserves. That con-
sentative and stanchly Democratic paper, the
Albany (Ga.) Herald, which may be depend
ed upon to interpret the mind of its populous
region, observes that 1.-The politicians do
not take kindly to the rapidly growing senti-
ment in favor of Hoover as a candidate for
President and adds that such action will
tend to strengthen rather than weaken his
cause among the voters Further, says the
Herald:
There. is growing conviction abroad
in the land that the professional polit-
clans have been cutting and drying
things long enough and that it is time
for the people themselves to take mat
tiers in hand and do a little thinking
on their own account, thout having the
politicians direct their thinking for
them along channels that will lead to
the picking of candidates previously
picked by the politicians. Democrats
who think well enough of man to
nominate him on their party ticket for
President and secure his acceptance of
that nomination are not worrying
whether he is an 'avowed Democrat
Enough for them to know that his
known principles, his known record and
his known achievements for his coun-
try entitle him to such mention
In cogent and. we venture to nredict
hlstory-making editorial, which is repro
duced elsewhere in Tuesdays Journal. the
AmerIcus Times-Recorder comes suuareIv
out for Hoover as the Democratic Presiden-
tlal nominee, and denounces the ATTEMPT to
keep the Democrats of Georgia from declar-
ing their will concerning him in the Anril
primary. Likewise the Athens Banner. a NAT
tern of party feaIty, scores as "inexcusable''
the course which the subcommittee has taxi
en- course, it declares, (which will not be
tolerated by the loyal Democrats of this
State. The Banner points out the one great
purpose OF the approaching primary when it
says: This election has been called in or
der that The Democrats may have an oppor-
tunlty OF expressing their preference for the
man to represent them in the highest office
of the nation, and there should be no hag-
Cling over technicalities." In truth there is
nothing more dangerous to the party and the
country at this grave crisis of their affairs,
and nothing of which the people are more
impatient, than the placing of political tech
nlcalltles above the great principles which
alone afford safe guidance in these difficult
days.
The thought of these representative pa
known for sound judgment and unimpeach-
able loyalty. Mr., E. S. Ault, of Cedartown,
| himself a member of the State Democratic
pers is re-emphasized by Democratic leaders
Executive Committee, declares that when
one hundred white Democrats request that
certain mans name be placed on the bal
lot in the Presidential primary, this should be
| regarded as prima fac1e proof of his qualif-
cations as Democrat" And Mr.. Ault speaks
the minds of millions when he adds: I'm
view of recent political history, I believe
that Democrats will prefer to judge a mans
Democracy by his conduct and achievements
rather than by past political affiliations or
wordy professions" In the like vein Mr.. J.
M. Vandiver, Of Rome, Seventh District mem
| Der Of the State Executive Committee, says:
81 believe Herbert Hoover's name should be
allowed to go on the ticket in the State Dem
| ocratic preferential primary regardless of
whether he declares himself a Democrat or
not. If he is not a Democrat the Democrats
| of Georgia won't vote for him" Similarly
| Mr.. Harry HodgsOn, of Athens, in deplOring
| the subcommittee action describes Her
bert Hoover "a good enough Democrat to
win the support of voters in this State who
want to see a man lead the ticket who can
| carry the country" These are the counsels
of wisdom and of true loyalty both to the
party and the nation. We commend them to
| the State Committees earnest bordering.