Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-06-24
HARDW|CK IN RACE
FOR SENATE;ELDERS
RUNS FOR GOVERNOR
Last-Minute Entries Lend
Color and Interest to
Primary Contest

The formal opening of the 1924
political campaign in Georgia was
given an added bit Of color Satur-
day, just as the entries were closed
by the state Democratic executive
committee promptly as the whistles
blew at noon.
Former Governor Thomas w.
Hardwick tossed his hat into the
'ring as a candidate for United States
,gssaator to oppose Senator William
y. Harris, and Herschel H. Elders,
of Reidsville, Ga, fired in special
delivery letter containing his $3.50
check to ualify him as a candidate
for governor to oppose Governor
Clifford Walker.
There had been rumors that Chief
Justice Richard B. Russell, of the
state supreme court, would oppose
Senator Harris, but his candidacy
failed to materialize. In accordance
with his statement a few days ago,
that it was a mathematical certain
ty that Senator Harris would have
a fight on his hands," Governor
didacy when it became apparent that
Justice Russell would not run.
B. M. Blackburn, close political
friend of Governor Hardwick,
brought the check to Mrs. Bessie
Anderson, secretary of the state
executive committee, at the state
capitol.
Harris Among First
Senator Harris was one of the first
to qualify as a candidate, having
sent his check to Mrs. Anderson sew
eral days ago. He defeated Cover.
nor Hardwick in 1918 and is now
completing his six-year term.
Mr.. Elders platform will center
around economy and tax reduc-
tion,'' according to a statement &C
companying the announcement of
his candidacy. He declares himself
against any state bond issue until
the tax laws are remodeled by elimi.
mating the ad ~valorem tax for state
purposes, limiting the county tax
rate and city tax rate, making only
one levy for county schools, and
equalizing the state school fund ap
portiOnment."
walker statement Awaited
Governor Walker has issued no
statement as to his platform, but his
forthcoming message to the general
assembly, which convenes on We'd
nesday, is expected to contain the
principles on which he will make his
race for reelection.
&. An interesting sidelight on the en-
try of Governor Hardwick into the
senatorial race is the fact that James
K. Jordan, his law partner, already
had announced and qualified as a
candidate for the state senate from
. the Thirty fourth district when he
learned that Governor Hardwick had
announced for the United States SEN
ate. He Immediately withdrew his
name from the entry lists and Claude
Mason, secretary of the Fulton
county executive committee, return
ed his check.
Ten statehouse officials are unop-
posed for reelection, leaving seven
races, including that for the United
States senate, to be contested in the
primaries this fall.
Hardwick's Announcement
Former Governor Hardwicks an
nOunCemenC IOllOWS:
eff our newspaper magnates and
erstwhile political leaders have en-
tirely finished re-electing our sena-
tor, Mr.. Harris. without opposition,
it is about time for the plain people
of Georgia to have an opportunity
to decide that question for them
selves, and without having any par
ticular aid from either newspapers
! or bosses.
In announcing my candidacy for
fhe senate, I wish to assure the
people of Georgia that no personal
feeling against Mr.. Harris inspires
my conduct in the slightest degree;
that l have real and substantial
grounds f,r such feeling is true
enough, but other and more i'm
portant considerations control my
conduct.
There are issues between his
candidacy and the one 1 shall pre-
sent that are as wide and deep as
the ocean.
/ Eat an early date T shall outline
these issues in a statement to the
public. 1 will present Mr.. Harris
record in the senate as it actually is,
and not as it mas been represented
to be by himself and others. L will
open my campaign not later than
July 4 at place to be announced
later and will carry that campaign
directly to the people of Georgia to
the very limits permitted by my
health and strength.
II have withheld this announce
ment until this late date for the
reason that hoped that others who
believe in the same great principles
in which l believe might take up
this fight and carry the banner.
Since they have all failed and re-
fused TO do so, / regard it as my
duty, at any personal sacrifice, to
give to the thousands of people of
Georgia, who believe in the same
great principles of national and in
ternational policies that do, some
opportunity to vote and voice their
convictions in the approaching
primary election"
Hardman's Card
DR.. L. G. Hartman, of Commerce,
Ga, who several days ago stated he
was seriously considering entering
the race, declared Friday night that
he had abandoned the idea.
DR.. Hardman'S statement follows:
"To the people of Georgia: Owing
to the conditions, mental attitude
and feeling now existing among the
people, my entering the race may
not be thoroughly understood. There
fore l have decided not to announce
for the high office OF governor Of
Georgia. With profound apprecia'
ton l wish to thank my many
friends most heartily for their kind
= expressions and for their willingness
TO support me for governor.
Yours very truly,