GOVERNORSHIP OF GEORGIA

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25139, 21 March 1947, Page 7

GOVERNORSHIP OF GEORGIA

COURT RULES AGAINST MR TALMADGE

(Rec. 7 p.m.) ATLANTA. March 19. By a majority of five to two, the State Supreme Court ruled to-day that the Lieutenant-Governor (Mr M. E. Thompson) is the legal Governor of Georgia and that the State Legislature’s election of Mr Herman Talmadge was unconstitutional. The Court ordered his removal from the governorship. Mr Talmadge announced that he would not ask the Supreme Court to reconsider its decision, and that he would vacate the Governor’s office and mansion as soon as his files and personal effects could be removed. Mr' Talmadge told the press that the question “will be carried to the court of last resort,” which is interpreted to mean that he would contest the next election for the governorship. Mr Thompson will serve until January, 1949. In a statement, he expressed gratification that the result* had come in the orderly operation of law. *

The former Governor (Mr E. G. Arnall) said: “The people’s rights have been preserved, and democracy has triumphed. My fight has been fully justified.”

The Court’s decision left in doubt the validity of the bills and resolutions passed by the legislature and signed by Mr Talmadge during the last nine weeks. The most important of these is a measure which bars negroes from voting in the Democratic primaries. The Court’s decision is believed to have invalidated all appointments made by Mr Talmadge. The State Legislature was thrown into confusion and immediately adjourned. although it has only three days left of its session in which to enact vital legislation, such as appropriation and taxation measures.

Governor Thompson announced that he would address a joint session of the legislature on March 20. The Attorney-General (Mr Eugene Cook) later ruled that all legislative bills signed by Mr Talmadge were invalid.