Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1922-09-28
CONVENTION PLANS
DELAYED BY DEATH
Of SENATOR WATSON
Governor-EIect Walker, Here
for Conference, Postpones
Political Matters-LeaderS
Here for Meeting

A group Of Governor-e Cliff
ford Walkers close friends ana sup
porters from all sections of Georgia,
who gathered in Atlanta Tuesday for
the announced purpose Of preparing
a. program and shaping a plan of
action for the Democratic state con-
vention which meets October 4 in
Macon, postponed the conference for
several days on account Of the death
of United States Senator Thomas
E. Watson.
Governor-el Walker, who heard
of Senator Watson's death en- route
to Atlanta from Rome. where he
spent Monday night with his friend,
G. e. Maddox, declared on his ar
rival at the Ansley hotel that ICON
vention details can wait until later. "
He dispatched a message Of condol-
ence to Mrs. Watson, and announced
he would return Tuesday evening
to his home in Monroe.
MIR. Walkers Sympathy
Mr.. Walkers telegram to Mrs.
Watson follows:
ct am deeply shocked and sim
cerely grieved over the untimely
death of your husband. His distin-
guished character and his illustrious
career both as Z writer and as a
statesman have profoundly impress
ed and influenced his age, and his
going away is the loss of great
leader. My deepest coincidence is
extended to you in this dark hour of
your greatest bereavement.
CLIFFORD E. WALKER"
Among the Walker leaders who
had assembled for the conference
were Ogden Persons, of Forsyth; H.
H. Dean, of Gainesville; jill. Dozier,
of Athens; Judge G. H. Howard and
Edgar Alexander, Of Atlanta; E. M.
Owen, of Zebulon; Colonel j. C.~Sim-
mons, of Lawrenceville; Judge Newt
Morris, of Marietta; j. B. Daniel, of
LAGRANGE, and State Senator-elect
SO"oLL, VA al AAAAoCSAAs
Pension Race e
Mr.. Walker said he would have
nothing to give out for publication
as to the organization of the conVen-
ton until after his friends reassem-
BILE in Atlanta and map out a pro-
gram.
1t was stated by friends Of the
governor-elect that one of the mat
tiers scheduled for discussion was the
situation that ha arisen relative to
filling the vacancy in the office OF
state pension commissioner caused
by the death recently of Commission
Ell J. w. Lindsey. At the forthcom-
ing conference, it was stated, cog
nizance also will be taF"n Of the
vacancy in the United States senate
caused by the de; of Senator Wat
eon.
There was speculation in political
circles as to whether the plan would
be for the convention to nominate
candidates to run for these offices
in the November general election, or
call special primary and let the
voters make the nomination. in ad-
vance of the general election. Among
manv Of the friends of Mr.. Walker
VIII SdIIlCISu IlGl 2 uCSOoy lAO 1OC1
prevailed that the after course Of
action would be followed.
MIR. Walker said he could not fore
cast the action the state convention
might take with reference to filling
the vacancy in the senate and in
the office of state pension commits
sioner, but that personally he ex-
p tied to advocate special primary
in order that the people might nomi-
nate in bbth cases. He Indicated
he would urge this in his speech be-
fore the Macon convention.
Action In Doubt
W. J. Vereen, of Moultrie, chair
man of the present Democratic ex-
ecutive committee, replying Tuesday
to many inquiries, declared he would
not Ill his committee to discuss the
senate vacancy until after the
funeral Of Senator Watson.
Asked over long distance telephone
if his committee would meet in adj
vance of the convention and call a
special primary. Mr.. Vereen an
cuss the committees probable action
at this time.
Under the law, Governor Hard
wick will fill the senate vacancy tenn
porarily and or3er that Senator
Watson's successor for the unex-
pred term be show in the Novem-
Der general election. Thus, if
special primary is held, it would
have to be set for late in October,
as gaheral election comes on No
vember Z.
JUDGE HORACE HOLDEN
MENTIONED AS SUCCESSOR
ATHENS, Ga. Sept. 26.-Judge
Horace Holden, former supreme
court judge, and a close personal
friend OF Governor Thomas w Hard
wick, is being mentioned in political
circles here as a possible appointee
to the senate vacancy made by the
death of Senator Thomas E. Watson
early today.
In case Judge Holden IS not ap.
pointed for the temporary period, he
mGv Je induced to seek election for
the uncxpired term.
n TT