Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-04-10
Is 1t Easy to Get a Good
Governor?
BY JOHN T. BOIFEUILLET.


be in position to say whether or not former
United States Senator Miles B. Poindexter, of
Washington, who recently received "Iame-
duck appointment as minister to Peru, is
correct in his assertion that cit is mighty
easy to get satisfactory governor"
I have the impression that Governor Hard
wick, or any of the six living ex-governors,
Mcdaniel, Smith, Brown, Slaton, Harris and
Dorsey, are qualified to give a positive opin-
ion with reference to- Mr.. Poindexter's state
ment.
do not know II such was his intention,
but, apparently, it seems that Mr.. Poindexter
minimizes the responsibilities, burdens exact
ing duties, influence and dignity of the office
Of governor. 1t is position of the gravest
concerns, most onerous obligations, and dan
gerous pitfalls. The governorship is certain
ly not an insignificant place, and many of it's
occupants have found it the source of turbu-
lence, strife, contention and the most bitter
political warfare. Some governors have left
office practically "unwept, unhonorad and I'M
sung" 1t is not mighty easy to get salts
factory governor"
Won Honors and Fame
Some of Georgia's sons in their administra-
ton of gubernatorial ;.ffairS so deeply I'M
pressed themselves upon the minds and hearts
of the people that they were advanced to high
national offices, and achieved fame and hone E
as United States senators, cabinet members
and ministers to foreign courts Several times
in the history of this state GeOrgians, who
had illustriously served in the exalted forum
Of the United States senate, subsequently be-
came governor, and in few of these in
stances again returned to the senate, like in
the cases of James Jackson, George M. Troup,
John Forsyth and John B. Gordon.
Since the adoption of the Constitution Ct
1777 about fifty-six men have been governor
of Georgia, of which number the following
fourteen have also been United States sena-
tors: Jackson, Walton, Tattnall, Milledge,
Troup, Forsyth, Lumpkin, Herschel V. Johr-
son, Joseph E. Brown, Alfred III. COlquitt,
Gordon, Terrell, Hoke Smith and HaTdwfck.
designations and Reflections
Such was the personal and official populari-
ty of some of these men, and so completely
did they inspire the public confidence in the
integrity of their motives and the rectitude
of their purposes, so faithfully and unf1inch-
ingly did they meet the unrelenting demand.
of their political duties, that they could re-
sign a governo~ship senatorsh1p at their
will and pleasure and be reelected to either
as they preferred. For instance;
James Jackson while serving in the united
States senate resigned in 1895 to return TO
Georgia to assist in the resembling or the
Yazoo land fraud. Subsequently he was elect
ed governor and resigned this office on Nj II
8, 1901, having been reelected to the senate.
George M. Troup was twice elected United
States senator, and twice resigned that othce
He was twice elected governor, holding the
position between Lis two senatorial terms.
John Forsyth was elected senator twice and
resigned the senatorship twice. His first res
ignation was made when he was appointed
minister to Spain by President Monroe, ana
his second resignation came upon his appoint
ment as secretary of state. Forsyth went dl7
rect from the gubernatorial chair to the SEN
ate at the time Of his second election as SEN
ator.
1t will be remembered by many of the pres
ent generation that General John b. Gordon
resigned the senatorship, was later elected
governor, and then for the th1rQ time was
chosen to the senate.
The great Hersche1 V. Johnson came very
near having an experience similar to that OF
Jackson, Troup, Forsyth and Gordon, IN nrst
being senator, then governor and again SEN
ator Johnson retired from the senate II
1849. In 1853 he was elected governor, and
reelected. He was again elected to the SEN
ate in 1866, but was not allowed TO take MS
seat on account of war disabilities.
While the shadows of Reconstruction were
still over the state, Alexander H. Stephens
was elected to the senate, but his seat WGS
denied him. Later, he was chosen governor.
Is Governorship Stepping Stone?
The governorship has been generally re-
garded as a stepping stone to a senatorsh1p.
Many have found the stone exceedingly Slip
perry, have missed their footing, and have fall
en- like Lucifer, never to hope again WNle
occuDying the gubernatOrial chair they nave
been fascinated by the dazzling prize dangling
before their eyes, and apparently within easy
grasp, but when they reached out TO pluck
the rich and luscious plum" they only found
dead-sea fruit in their hands.
The late eminent Senator A. 0. Bacon mad
the most remarkable experience OF any Geor-
gian, in his worthy ambition to be governor.
He had presided for eight years as speaker
of the Georgia house of representatives. he
was one of the most accomplished parliament
tarians the state had ever known. He was
defeated three it's in succession In his eff
forts to attain the gubernatorial goal. Once
he lost the nomination by a single vote. In
his case as in th1t of others, it was demon
strated that the speakership, contrary to gen
eral impression, is not a springboard to the
governorsh1p.
Triumphantly Won SenatOrship
It was further shown by Mr.. Bacon's expert
ence that the possession of the goverlorship
is not essential to the obtaining of a senator
in the gubernatorial tourney he won trium-
phantly in his very first senatorial bout, and
remained a senator, term after term, until
the day of his lamented death.
Though three times defeated for governor
Senator Bacon had the distinction of being TT e
first senator elected from the state of Georgia
to the third consecutive term and the only
Georgia senator ever elected for four terms.
He possessed the further distinction Of having
been the first senator elected in the United
States under the amendment to the Federal
Constitution providing for the election Of
United States senators by direct vote or the
people, instead of by the legislature.
What a governor Augustus OctaY1us Bacon