The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1920-09-27
THE RECENT ELECTION.
ATLANTA Journal of Labor)


the Democratic National Committee, is
quoted in the daily press in reference
to the election of Hon. Thomas e.
Watson, as follows:
1.-THE nomination of Thomas &. Wet
son to succeed Hoke Smith as United
States Senator from Georgia repre-
sents something of blow to the DEM
ocratic Party"
1.-THE fact that Watson has been
nominated in Georgia, despite his OPP
position to the League of Nations III
any form, constitutes temporary loss
to u.s." he said. His nomination, l
believe, resulted not so much from his
attitude on any national question,
however, as from the support accord
ed him by large personal following
1t is my opinion that in Georgia they
nominated Watson, the man, in the prl-
maries. | do not believe the nomina-
llOI eADl tSStu lilC NiVN VI NiiN cN~A -
electorate on the league issue"
NH. White does not know the situa-
ton in Georgia. The voters nominal
ed Mr. Watson, the man. is true in
measure but not so large a measure
as Mr.. White suspects, Mr., Watson
has a large personal following, but the
vote he received for senator indicated
that thousands voted for him from
principle. Mr.. Watson's election Will
not in the least constitute tempo
rary loss to real Democracy" - the
genuine article, but no doubt VIII
prove a permanent "loss" to the coun-
terfeit brand.
Mr.. Palmers injection in Georgia
politics constituted a joint factor in
the election of Mr.. Watson-the com
mo npeople of Georgia do not sub
scribe to the Palmer brad of Democ-
racy; Palmer is an autocrat, he has no
interest in the common people and the
elimination of his kind from the party
rat least from publicly taking part
in the deliberations would go far to
restore the confidence of the people. u
The Democratic party ms the South
has never been unfavorable to labor,
aid if man from the South were to
visit some of the doubtful states and
make known the attitude of the lead
ers of the party down here Democracy !
would sustain another permanent
"loss."
Since all the papers in the state, and
outside the state, have given express
sion touching the recent election the
Journal of Labor feels called on TO
give its views.
The election of Mr. Thomas h. Wat
son to the United States Senate was
undeniably and Enthusiastically a vote
of confidence in the mans honesty, 10y
atty and sincere desire to serve the
people 1t is true he was supported
in a measure by all classes, but the
farmer in moderate circumstances, the
tenant and the city worker gave him
almost unanimous support.
The election of Mr.. Watson points
to one very distinctive and pronounc-
ed political situation in Georgia, viz:
The voters are determined to abandon
all political domination and refuse to
lend aid and succor to any candidate
who is attached to or is the pro-
nounced exponent of any particular
group.
In plain, the men of Georgia will |
assert their independence in politics.
as they have don in all things else.
Mr.. Watson made but few speeches |
and without organization. The voice
of the press was silence in his favor
save for one daily, The Atlanta Geor
gian, and yet he defeated two militant
political organizations, and put great |
part of the state press in the position |
fself-convicted ignoramuses. The
abuse heaped unon him was but polit- !
ical asset.
Pretty big job for one man. But
there must be a reason Mr. Watson is |
not new entry in the political life of
Georgia Mr.. Watsons position on the |
League of Nations brought him
friends his opposition to Palmer was
undeniably sturdy support, but all
that Mr.. Watson was for or against |
does not account for his great and de-
cisive victory.
Two things stand out plainly First,
a sublime and reyerential confidence |
in Mr.. Watson by the masses of the |
people; second, a political uprising of
the voters Of Georgia and an ultimat-
um for a method or plan of selecting |
public officials by the people.
The daily press and the weekly press |
and the knowing ones may put on this
election what construction they desire, |
but in the last analysis, they are but
excuses and do not answer the ques
ton.
The plain truth Is that the people
the common pecple--ln country aud In
city are sick, tired and Disguised with |
all this humbugRery of government
officials with reference 10 cost Of liy-