Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1922-09-30
GEORGIA PRIMARY
To Be DISCUSSED
At MACON MEET
Chairman Vereen Refuses to
Talk but 1t Is Likely He
VIII Call Meeting in Ma
con Saturday

A meeting of the present state
Democratic executive committee Will
most likely be held in Macon on Sat
urday for the purpose Of calling a
special primary for the nomination
of a United States senator to sue
coed the late Senator Thomas +.
Watson and a state pension commits
= sioner to succeed the late Commits
sioner J. W. Lindsey.
This was the accepted view Of
number of members Of the present
committee who passed through AT
1anta Wednesday and Thursday en-
route to Thomson to attend the fu-
neral of Senator Watson. They ex-
pressed the opinion that a primary
is assured.
Although William J. Vereen, OF
Moultrie. chairman-of the present
committee, declined to discuss the
matter until after his return from
Mr.. Watson's funeral, many OF MS
committee colleagues were positive
In their belief that the committee
would meet and set the special PR
mary for late in October.
The present committee goes OUT
, of office next Wednesday, when the
new committee will be organized at
the state Democratic convention IN
Macon, but until then it is in charge
of partv affairs, and has the full
authority to call a primary.
Although there has been some talk
In favor of nominations for the va
cant offices by the convention, GOV
ernor-elect Clifford Walker and
many of his leaders, who conferred
here several days ago relative &c
organizing the convention declared
themselves in favor Of special prl
mary in order that the voters might
make their own selections for the
vacancies.
Thus, it seems certain, not onlN
that the state committee will ca.
a special primary, but that such &C
ton will meet with the approval o.
the convention leaders.
Governor Returning
Among leaders allied with al
factions of Georgia politics. II wa!
generally agreed that d storm O
statewide protest would result
the Macon convention sought u
make nominations for the eXlstlnl
vacancies.
1t was concluded that a conven
ton nomination would preclude an.
other Democrat from running be
fore the people, and would be tan
tamount to an election by the con
vention, thereby preventing tn
voters from expressing their wishes
Governor Hardwick, who ha
been vacationing in Canada, will re
turn to Atlanta early next week
and is expected to appoint an a.
interim senator to serve until Sen
ator Watsons successor is electet
and qualified. His appointee is gen
orally expected to be W. c. Vereer
of Moultrie,. father Of the chair
man of the outgoing state execu
tive committee. Mr.. Vereen'
friends are urging him to run il
the special primary for the une1
lpired term of Senator Watson.
The entry into the race of Judg
G. H. Howard. of Atlanta former
~ of Columbus, who managed MI
Walkers recent campaign, is d.
clared by his friends here to be
virtual certainty.
Others who have been mentioned
in connection with the vacancy ar
Judge Andrew J. Cobb, of Athens
H. H. Dean, Gainesville; former Sen
ator Hoke Smith, of Atlanta; Ogdel
Persons, of Forsyth; Judge Horac
Holden, Of Athens, and Herber
Clay, of Marietta, former presider
of the state senate; G. NJ. Gambler
of Decatur, chairman of the Geor
eia Public Service association
Judge Walter F. George, of Vi
emma; Judge W. E. Thomas, Of Va
dosta, and Chancellor Barrow, o
Athens.
There is much speculation as t
whether the ad interim senator
be appointed at once by Governo
Hardwick will be able to qualify, {
4view of the fact that congress no7
is in adjournment and will not RI
convene until December, by whic
.tirr.e Senator Watson's successor fC
sthe remainder of the unexpired teri
will have been chosen. The standin
custom has been for new senators
be sworn in while the senate is
session.
CHANCELLOR BARROW is
MENTIONED FOR senate
COLUMBUS, Ga, Sept. 28.-Chal
ceIIor Barrow, of the University {
Georgia is being boosted for Unite
States senator to succeed the lat
Senator Watson. Leading member
of the Columbus alumni of the un
versitY are back of tie movemel