The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-05-19
GEORG|ANS SPLIT j
IN TWO FACTIONS;
LEAGUE OPPOSED
Watson and Smith Control
Meeting--P Men Name
Their Own Delegates to
Frisco.

ATLANTA, Ga. May 1e.--Georgia
Democrats split into two factions at
the close of the state Democratic con-
vention here early today, the majority
rsLuslhg 70 lndorse President Wilson's
administration, and electing uninstruct-
ca delegates to San Francisco, and the
other indorsing the administration and
eiecting delegates pledged to support
Attorney,Genera A. Mitchell Palmerl
for president.
Action of the convention itself was
made possible by combination of the
supporters Of United States Senator
Hoke Smith and Thomas L. Watson,
who with Mr.. Palmer, ran in the presi-
Genital preference primary After this
body had adjourned the Palmer dele
gates held a meeting OF their own and
chose their delegates to San Francisco
The question of Georgia's stand thus
was put before the national coaven-
The Smith Watson delegates took
control of the convention at the start
yesterday, and held it throughout the
night, with but one break OF impor-
t seIEs: Laughngly referring to them
ed, 1861 to 1924, resolutions assert
ing Hunalterable opposition to the
leagu5, of nations brought back from
Paris by President Wilson"
The resolutions also declared against
q third term president, expressed be-
press, freedom of assemblage and local
self government" and came out for
states rights and for distribution of
power between the legislative, execu-
tive and judicial branches of the gov
eminent"
Repeal of "all espionage, sedition and
conscription laws passed during the
war" was urged and opposition was
expressed to compulsory military train
ing. The national delegates were in
structed to vote as unit and "to sup
port no candidate for president of the
United States who Is not in thorough
accord with the principles as announced
by this convention"
The convention voted down, 206 TO
l75, resolutions introduced by Hollins
N. Randolph, Atlanta, a Palmer dele
gate, Endorsing President Wilson and
the Democrats in congress- indorsing
Of nations and demanding prompt rati-
fication Of the Versailles treaty with
such explanatory reservations as may
be necessary to secure its enactment,
and as, may not be destructive of the
covenant"
Palmer supporters were repeatedly
fooled in attempts to get before the
convention the report of the state eN-
ecutive committee holding that since
Palmer won a plurality in the primary
he was entitled to the states delega-
ton. A Smith delegate offered to di-
vide the delegation equally between the
three candidates, each of whom obtained
approximately one third of the primary
vote, but the Palmer men refused this.
The convention elected w. c. Vereen,
Of Moultrie. national committeeman
from Georgia, and the following dele
gates at large, each with half vote:
Former Senator Hardwick r. l.. Nc
Kinney, Macon; Charles S. Barrett,
Union City; w. W. Osborne, Savannah
B. M. Blackburn, Atlanta; Felix Jack
son, Gainesville; j. J. Flynt, Griffin,
and Arthur Lucas Atlanta.
After adjournment Of the convention
Palmer supporters reelected Clark
Howell national committeeman, and
named the following delegates at large,
each with half vote: Pleasant A.
Stovan, Savannah, former minister to
Switzerland; c. +. Dunbar, Augusta;
Hollns n. Randolph, Atlanta; Ogden
Persons, Forsyth; H. u. Dean, Gaines
Vile; w. II. Davis, Waynesboro; s. D.
Dell, Hazlehurst, and w. T, Anderson,
Macon.