PROMISE TO RESIGN

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25090, 23 January 1947, Page 7

PROMISE TO RESIGN

ONE OF GEORGIA’S “GOVERNORS” ANTI-NEGRO MEASURE SUPPORTED (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 7.30 p.m.) NEW YORK, Jan. 21. Addressing a joint session of Georgia’s Legislature, Mr Herman Taimadge promised to resign the Governorship after the passage of the White Primary Law if the Lieutenant-Gover-nor (Mr M. E. Thompson) would do the same. He said the Governorship could then be decided at a special election. The White Primary Law, which would exclude negroes from voting, has already been given a second reading. The measure was* one of the planks of the Democratic platform on which Mr Talmadge’s father, the late Mr Eugene Taimadge, was elected Governor last year. f Mr Talmadge’s surprising offer followed his loudly-cheered statement that he would call on the white people of Georgia to come to Atlanta to stage a demonstration on his behalf. Mr Taimadge declared that his opponents were calling on Georgia to stage an uprising. “They are advocating anarchy and hoping to create such a state of confusion that it will be impossible for the legislature to perform its duties,” he added. College students numbering 700 marched through Atlanta streets to the State Capitol building in a protest against Mr Talmadge’s seizure of the Governor’s office allegedly by force. The students carried banners inscribed “It Did Happen Here.” Later 2000 students marched to the Capitol and hundreds of citizens fell in behind them. The students at the Capitol strung up an effigy of Mr Herman Taimadge on the spot where Georgia University students 25 years before hung in effigy Mr Eugene Taimadge for his anti-negro stand In the university recall dispute. To-day’s effigy was daubed with red swastikas. As the effigy was raised, students chanted. “We want Herman. Heil, Herman!” The students in spontaneous speeches condemned Mr Talmadge’s “theft of democracy.” Mr Taimadge refused to appear before‘the throng, but received a deputation of students.

Mr Thompson said he would not barter the office of Governor and refused to resign with Mr Taimadge.