The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1880-09-24
THE DEMOCRATIC SPLIT IN GEORGIA


From Georgia letter in the New
Orleans Times, written we surmise by
Col. w. II. Sparks, now residing in
Georgia, we extract the following con-
cerning the origin of the unhappy
Democratic divisions in that State.
The analysis seems to be rather ex-
parte, but is both readable and in
structive, nevertheless:
There is now waging fierce con-
test between two factions of the DEM
ocratic party of this State, for gov
ernor, and it is extremely doubtful as
to the result.
-Four years ago Gov. Colquitt was
elected by a majority of $4,000 by the
success in a small battle, fought prin-
during the late war. He had become
extremely popular with the masses.
These he cultivated assiduously. He
was whining Methodist preacher, at
tended Sunday-schools, looked sane
titled, and was AS humble as Uriah
Heep. He was foisted into Office al
most by acclamation. He was lily
qualified for the position, and the intel
ligence of the country soon learned that
the fire of the father had not fallen on
the head of the son-on1y the ashes.
Still he had fought the battles of
Bluster and was fair son and a pious
governor, and he was for a time toler-
ated. One act of folly and weakness
followed another, exciting ominous
murmurs, and creating discomfort. He
was mismanaging the conyicts. Out
of this a difficulty had grown up be-
tween two of his friends eliminating
in the murder of one by the other, in
the capitol, and within few feet of
the executive office. This was followed
by a most shameful act, in which the
governor was supposed to be materially
interested.
The legislature had authorized the
governor to sign certain bonds, issued
in the interest of railroads, upon GER
tain conditions. When these condi-
tions had been complied with, he re-
fused to endorse the bonds. These
bonds had been hypothecated as secu-
rity or payment for iron to equip the
road. The company holding these
bonds employed council to appear be-
fore the governor and urge this en-
dorsement. This was Intellectual. This
counsel was Gen. Ben. III. Hill, then
and now deemed the ablest in the
State. Soon after a clerk in one of the
executive offices went to these men
and proposed to have the bonds en-
dorsed, if this company would pay
him fifteen thousand dollars.
This they refused, but being told to
take their time, they would learn that
without this payment this bond would
never be endorsed. They proposed to
place $4,000 in the hands of third
party to be paid upon the bonds being
endorsed. This was not accepted,
when the clerk remarked the money
was not to be given to his benefit, but
that there was an old man holding a
big office who was poor as Job, and
wanted money badly. The money
was placed as agreed upon, and imme-
diately the bonds were endorsed.
This was the eliminating act, and
public indignation burst forth. The
transaction was Investigated by the
legislature, and wl,itewashing reso-
luton was passed cXonerating the gov
ernor. But this same legislature i'm.
mediately enacted Il law making any
similar act a felony. Other acts, out
raging public opinion, soon followed.
The most important and most offen-
sive was the appointment OF ex-Gov.
Brown to succeed Gen. Gordon in the
United States senate.
lhlS resignation anu the lmQeul-
ate appointment of Brown came with
stunning effect upon the intelligence Of
the country. A convention had been
called by the Democratic party to nomi-
nate governor. The delegates, who
were to constitute this convention,
were to be chosen in each county by
the people in primary assemblies.
Gen. Gordon, who had, up to his
very sudden and unexpected resigna-
tion, been the most cherished pet Of
the State, came home, and immedi-
ateIy commenced a canvass of the State
in the interest of Col1uitt. In this he
was Joined by Brown. The conven-
tion met, and SO strenuous was the op-
position TO Colquitt that nomination
was found to be impossible. Colquitt
had pledged himself not to be a candi-
date unless nominated by this conven-
tion. This pledge he has violated, and
now he finds, with only one or two
exceptions, every leading man in the
State opposing him. The late senator
in congress is his opponent, and fiercer
and more bitter campaign has never
been waged in this State.
With all the above stated facts pro-
ven, and all this array of talent oppos-