Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1922-09-27
WATSONDEATH
uPSETS GEORGIA
POLITICALDOPE
Walker In Favor OF Free-For-AlI
Primary-Macon Convention
Plans

ATLANTA, Sept Z7,-Geor-
gia politics afe certainly messed
up as result Pf the death of Sen
ator Thomas E. Watson. Who
Governor Herdwick will appoint
for a few days, whether he will
appoint anybody, whether there
there will be a special primary to
Sill the vacancy or whether the
convention will attempt to nomi-
nate a candidate, over the protest
and advice of Governor-elect
Clifford NJ. Walker, who favors a
primary, arc questions that are
worrying large number OF
political leaders in the state.
If the governor appoints anybody
they will only hold office
until the next general cleo
ton on the first Tuesday in Novem-
Der, and as the senate is not in
session whoever that governor might
appoipt could never be SEATED TO,
the reason that the senate won't
meet until December and the title
would only be a strictly honorary
one.
Governor-elect Walker thinks that
the people should choose a successor
to Senator Watson, and to Pension
Commissioner Lindsay. He is against
a convention nomination. Some of
his strongest friends, however, don't
agree with him and want the con-
yentlon to nominate. The friends
claim that as the Walker party is
In power, the party should go ahead
IN convention and name senator
and pension commissioner.
Other Walker friends, and COVER
nor-elect himself, contend that it
would destroy the party if the con-
vention attempted to nominate.
Whether Mr.. Walker is strong
enough to rule his own convention is
a mooted question. Members are al.
ready showing up, and they want to
override the views Of their leader
and nominate anyhow. Mr.. Walker
and his closest advisers are against
convention nominations.
. OLD Cnpop,1EEao CL
Besides all this the state executive
committee named by the last con-
vention is still in control Of the par
ty machinery. W. J. Vereen, of
Moultrie, who is chairman, has de-
clincd to make any statement as to
what the committee may do ntiI
after the funeral of Senator Watson
Thursday.
The committee, however, may or,
der state primary for both the
senatorship and the pension commits,
stones place. The convention which
meets in Macon next Wednesday
could override the executive COM
mittee, but it is believed that if il
did so. there would be all sorts OF
complications.
Hub Dean, of Gainesville; CLARK
Howell, Of Atlanta; Hugh Dorsey
of Atlanta Ogden Persons, of For.
syth, and Gus Howard, of Columbus
who really managed the Walker
campaign, all want to be senator and
they all want the convention tc
nominate them. Mr.. Walker is in
great doubt as to who he would favor
among this bunch, so he has declar,
ed, and rightly so, for a primary. He
thinks it should be a free for all
and let those who so desire RUN
for the Jobs.
Candidates galore are being men
toned for the senate in event a
primary is called. Among them arc
Governor Hardwick, Hoke Smith, w
j. Vereen, Gus Howard. Hub Dean
Clark Howell, Hugh Dorsey, Joe
Brown, Herbert Clay, Cecil Neal
John D. Little, Alex Lawrence, Ro
land Ellis, Sam Olive, Ogden Per
sons, Judge Dick Russell, recently
elected chief justice, Judge Render
Terrell, Judge w. Z. Thomas, B. NJ
Blackburn, Arthur Lucas, w. A. An.
derson, Charles L. Bartlett, Mrs. w
Fl. Felton,, Judge f. H. Galloway
Joseph E. Pottle and j. G. Valen.
tine.
There is a great deal of specula
tion as to the attitude of Governor
Hardwick and Former Senator Hokt
Smith. 1t is known that neither
would oppose the other but if Sena
tor Smith should announce, it is be
ieved that Georgia would again have
stormy campaign.
w. ]. Vereen, chairman of tn,
state committee, arrived in Atlant.
this morning and will announce to