Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1922-11-18
MRS. FELTON, NOT
LIKELY To GET
SEAT IN SENATE
Governor Probably Will Ar
rive in City at Noon Satur-
day and Call CanvaSsing
Board Together

Judge Walter F. Georges commits
sion as junior United States senator
will probably be issued Saturday af-
ternoon upon the return of Governor
Hardwick to Atlanta for the pur-
pose of calling together the canvass
ing board, composed of the governor,
the secretary of state and the comp
troller general.
The situation involving the issu
ance of Judge Georges commission
took the above-stated turn Thursday
morning when Judge George arrived
here from his home at Vienna for the
purpose of obtaining the commission
and when Governor Hardwlck tele-
.Iyrtle White, his
executive secretary, that he would
return on SATURDAY. if necessary to
meet the technical point raised by
Secretary of State McLendon.
Judge George stated to tie news
paper men that he regretted very
much the necessity for Governor
Hardwick to return two days earlier
than he intended, but the position
taken by Secretary McLendon
seemingly made it necessary. and
since the governor had voluntarily
expressed a willingness to return he
Judge George would not object.
Judge George was not willing
however, to concede that it was nee
| essary for the governor to return.
His opinion was that the secretary
of state-and the comptroller general.
, constituting a majority of the can
' vassing board, could meet in the alb
sence of the governor and canvass
the returns and declare the result.
Secretary Unwilling
But in this procedure Secretary
McLendon was not willing to partlcl-
p2-e, his contention being that none
but the governor could call the board
since the governor is the custodian
Of the election returns. Hence, 1t ap-
peared necessary for Governor Hard
wick to return Saturday in order to
deliver to Judge George his commits.
sion in time for him to present 1t to
the senate when it convenes next
Monday morning.
Indications were that the governor
would arrive about noon Saturday on
the birmingham Special, would inn
ned:Gtely call the canvasSlng bOarn
and issue the commission, and that
judge George would leave here Sat
urday afternoon on the 4o'clotk tram
Ior Washington.
With regard to the question
whether Mrs. W. H. FELTON, might
Dr. r2ight not be seated in the senate
for y few hours, Judge George stat
ed that i would afford him great
pleasure - see that honor bestowed
uD2n her. and that he did not in
terd to make any move which would
forestiail such a possibility.
III Senate's Hands
hat is matter, however, SAID
Judg= George, "that is entirely in
the hands of the senate. [ intend
10 say here until l obtain my com
mission # the attitude taken by
Secretary McLendon delays the is
suIncc Of the commission so that |
cannot be in Washington when the
senate convenes, Mrs. FELTON, Will he
there alone to present her commits
sion as the adj interim appointee. If
i
time to be there Monday morning,
Ms. FELTON, and l very probably
will go together. What can be done
by the senate to give her for a little
suhiIe the honor of taking her seat
do not exactly know But l do
know. just as I have stated several
.-,ffmee since my election, and as I
stated to her yesterday over the
lon" distance telephone, that l do
not intend to make any premature
move in Washington which would
derive her of that honor if the SEN
Rte, under the law, can bestow it
suDCn her
Secretary McLendon on ThuTsda
made public a letter addressed 10
Judge George explaining his posi-
ton with reference to the issuance
or the commission. In the let er h"
reiterated what had previously beer
stated in the newspapers. That is to
say. the law relating to the election
Of senator's in Georgia provides that
the election returns shall be trans
mitted to the governor; that the goV
ernor shall call in the secretary of
the state and the comptroller gen
eral: that these three acting as Il
fanvassing board shall canvass the
returns ana U6CIdGG the result. ana
that the governor shall issue con-
mission accordingly.
Board Cannot Meet
Because of the governors absence
from the state Secretary Mci4endnu
contends tina I the board cannot meet
until the Wernor's return. Tie
Governor Intended to return Mon
day. He telegraphed instructions to
his executive secretary, Mss White
to call the board together in HIS
name and to present the returns 10
them so that they. constituting q
majoriy of the board, could declare
the result in his absence. He IN
structed Miss White to issue cola
mission to Judge George in his,
name, so that there would DE 10
delay.
Comptroller General Wright was
parfectly willing to meet with Sec
rotary McLendon in the manner
suggested by the governor. mas
Continued on Page 8, Col. .