Evening star., 1948-09-09
Ta|madge> Wins
By 1866 Unit
Votes in Georqia
Has 10000 Majority
Of Popular Ballots
In Decisive Primary
picture ON Page A-5.)
BY the Associated Press

n LIAM 1 "A, SeUL. S.-IeOESl8
made ready today to usher in Q
second generation of rule by its
potent, scarlet-suspendered Tall
madge political dynasty.
Stalking his campaign on a fight
against President Truman's civil
rights program, young Herman Tai
madge led today, in returns from
yesterdays Democratic primary, with
an indicated county unit. vote Of
316 to 86 for Acting Gov. M. e.
Thompson, his chief opponent. Only
2o6 units are needed to win. under
Georgia's unusual county-unit sys-
tenn, similar to the national electoral
college.
But unlike his father, acid.
tongued Eugene, who trailed In pop
ular votes in 1916 in an election
that began a 2l-month political
drama, young Talmadge also held
the upper hand in the total count
27l,5l5 to 24l,0o5. The count was
based on unofficial returns from 1877
Of the States 159 counties, and
1899 of 1,763 precincts.
Called Civil Rights Warning.
Young Talmadges tidal wave
swept over several populous counties
his father hardly ever hoped to win.
"Old Gene" used to say he never
wanted to carry a county that had
streetcars in it.
Young Talmadge said his victory
was a warning to the Nation on the
civil rights issue. Mr.. Thompson
conceded his election, saying: THE
people giveth, the people taketh
away"
Three other candidates for Gov
ernor failed to scratch in the unit
vote column and trailed badly in
popular votes. They were Hoke
OKelley, Hoke Willis, and the Rev.
Joseph A. Rabun, ousted as pastor
Of the Talmadges' home church in
McRae because he denounced white
rule.
Incomplete reports also favored
three incumbent Federal Represent.
atives-Representatives Cox Of tho
second district, Davis of the Nth
and Wheeler of the eighth.
Other Representatives and Sena-
tor Russell were unopposed.
Special Session Planned.
Young Talmadge, jubilant over
his landslide. set the stage for q
special legislative session to install
him early in November.
He indicated he would not wait
for the regular meeting in January
to assume-with no questions this
time-the mantle he wore Illegally
for ST turbulent days early in 1s47.
Victory in the primary is the same
as election In Democratic Georgia.
Mr.. Thompson said he would co.
operate with the special session
plan II the State attorney general
ruled It legal.
For the tobacco chewing, 35-year.
old lawyer-farmer politician, tri.
umphant In his first campaign, the
special session would bring long
sought revenge over Gov. Thomp.
son, his foe during q long political
battle.
The first act opened with a death
scene in December, 1916. Eugene
Talmadge, whose magic with rural
voters had elected him governor
four times, died before his inaugu-
ration.
Thompson Fills Out Term.
In dramatic pre-dawn session,
the Legislature In January, l94T,
elected "Hummon" to sit In his
fathers chair. Then arose scholarly
M. E. Thompson, who abandoned an
educators career to enter politics, to
claim the office also by succession
from Lieutenant Governor.
Herman's forces changed locks in
the Capitol by night to capture the
Governors office. After two months
of tumult and confusion because the
State had two Governors, Mr.. Tai
madge walked out quietly when the
Georgia Supreme Court said Mr..
Thompson should serve as Acting
governor pendlng an election 70 MI
the remaining two years Of the elder
Talmadge's term.
But he pledged, "I1l be back" and
today he shouted: The victory Is
ours"
Georgia Republicans will meet
Saturday to decide whether they
should offer candidate for gover-
nor in the November general elec-
ton.
The State has not had a Repubh-
can governor since reconstruction
days.
Republican leaders have men.
toned the name of Harry Som.
mers, Atlanta automobile dealer, as
a candidate. He Is Republican ma
tional executive committeeman for
the State.