Potent Opponent

In 1922, there died Senator Thomas E. Watson of Georgia, able blatherskite, onetime running mate of Presidential runner-up William Jennings Bryan. Georgia Democrats elected as his successor one Walter Franklin George. Soon thereafter Washington correspondents, led by Clinton W. ("Mirror") Gilbert and Mark Sullivan, cheered loudly for Senator George. At 44, he was a distinguished lawyer, brilliant orator, a rather impressive figure on the Senate floor. He was no bombaster of the Tom Heflin school, no ranting humorist of the Pat Harrison species. His popularity grew; people began to say that the South was having a political renaissance, that soon the John Calhouns and the Henry Clays would again sway the Senate.

But now Senator George of Georgia has a problem to face that would irk any statesman. He is battling for renomination in the Democratic primaries (equivalent to election) against the father of 16 children. This man with these 16 potent arguments in his favor, is Judge Richard B. Russell, whose advocates say that "a man who has done so well by his country ought to be rewarded with the U. S. Senatorship."

Nevertheless, Senator George is expected to win.