GEORGIA: Fire from the Bush?

Like his father before him, U.S. Senator Herman Talmadge has ruled Georgia by Negro-baiting campaigns and the one-party "county unit" primary. The two sources of power support each other, for the county unit system can let one Negro-hating woolhat in a rural county outvote 154 Atlanta moderates. But the South is changing, as nobody knows better than tough-minded Herman Talmadge. He has toned down his racism, noted carefully that the unfair unit system has come perilously close to defeat in four test cases that went to the Supreme Court. Last week Talmadge hinted to Atlanta TV listeners that, rather than risk a new court test, now threatened, he might work out a compromise to let their votes count for more.

"I think it is entirely possible that the legislature will study that question," he drawled. "It's not only possible but even probable that some readjustment would perhaps be wise."

In Georgia, a hint from Herman is heard like a voice out of a burning bush.