Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-10-02
HON. PETER w. mELDRIm.
His Past Record and the Claims he
has Upon she support of His Eel
low Citizens.

low Citizens.
SAVANNAH, October 2.-Edit0r Morn
fnq Meas: The object Of this
communication is to call the attention of
the voters of the First Senatorial district
and of this county especially to few cir
cumstances connected with the Senatorial
career of the Hon. Peter W. Meldrim,
Chathsm's gifted son. There can be no
doubt but that every one who attended the
large and enthusiastic gathering Of the
simon pure Democracy Of Chatham county
at the Theatre on last Friday evening in
tends to vote for him and to do all in their
power to secure his election by handsome
majority.
The grandeur and subhmity of the De-
mocracy OF Chatham wree impersonated in
the magnificent audience which heartily
and enthusiastically nominated Hon. P. W.
Meldrim as a candidate for the senatorship
OF the First district. do not address those
who Endorsed him on that occasion,
but invite the attention Of those
who have sVowed their purpose
to defeat him. 1t is useless to argue
that he is the standard bearer Of the Demo
cracy OF Chatham for the Senatorial honor.
There having been no legal convention,
Chatham county has an unquestionsble
right to present the name of her distin-
guished son, and ask the earnest support of
her sister counties.
Hon. P. W. Meldrim is the choice of old
Chatham for that exalted position. He is a
young man of whom we might justly be
proud. He commenced business life with
poor prospects, but by his indomitable will
and interchangeable energy he has raised him
self, until now he is considered one OF our
ab1est lawyers, wisest statesmen, and most
respected citizens. Two years ago, without
any solicitation on his part, he was called
by his fellow citizens to accept the impor-
tant trust which is now again offered him.
He was nominated Ssnator from this dis
trict and was complimented with a splendid
majority on election day. He has repre-
sented US In the Senate Of Georgia with
credit and honor. At the opening OF the
session Of the Legislature he was made
Chairman of the committee to inaugurate
the Governor, and at the close he was Sc
lected by his fellow Senators to represent
and speak for them in presenting testi-
monial to the President of the Senate. He
has served on the most important commit
tees Of the Senate, viz: Judiciary, Finance,
Education and Library, and was Chairman
of the Military Committee. His efforts were
always directed to the prevention OF use
less legislation. He exerted himself in
behalf Of education, and was instrumental
In obtaining free tuition in the State Uni
versitv. He was specially DESTROYS OF pro-
tecting and advancing our military interests.
He absented himself but two days from At
lanta while the Legislature was in session,
and those days were occupied by the Joint
Committee, of which he was Chairman, in
attending the State University on legislative
business. No letter received by him was
unanswered and no duty unperformed. l
refer with pleasure to Col. Bird, of
Efingham; Hon. VIM. Kennedy, of
Bryan, and Chatham's representatives,
who will indorse that assertion. He has
practiced law for thirteen years in this dis
trict, and lido not believe there is a man,
ever done him wrong, or that he was not
without reprOach.
Could q man have been more faithful to |
his constituency than he I? Is he not worthy |
OF a second term
In regard to his record, let me call the |
attention Of the liquor dealers to two facts: |
A bill was introduced in the Senate for the |
purpose OF raising revenue, which was re- |
ferred TO the Finance Committee. Mr.. |
Meldrim was Vice Chairman of that COM
mittee, and he called their particular atten- |
ton to clause in said bill which increased |
the State liquor tax from twenty-five to one |
hundred dollars. He opposed the increase, |
and prevailed upon the committee not to |
raise the tax; and at least by this act he |
saved the liquor dealers of this city $4,000 |
s year. He believed that II the |
amount had been increased it would be a |
virtual enactment of a prohibition law. |
The special committee on temperance made |
a favorable report on q bill to regulate the |
sale of liquors in the State, and to deter |
mine by election the granting of license to |
sell such liquors within the limits of cities, /
etc. Mr.. Meldrim made an able speech /
against 1t and it was defeated by vote Of /
10 to %. He does not believe in intemper-
ance, and is himself temperate man, but he
is opposed to the Legislature passing a
general prohibition law under the gufse Of |
levying tax for the purpose OF increasing |
the revenue. His Senatorial career has been
an honorable one.
The next session Of the Legislature will
be a most important one. Questions of
gravest significance will be considered, and
men of eminent ability, Of profound judg
ment, and of unquestioned patriotism
should be elected to represent US. Mr..
Meldrim has become thoroughly acquainted
with our wants, he has had an extended
experience in legislative affairs, and
represent the interests of the district
The great trouble with the Democratic
party is when they get good men in Office
they are not content to let them stay there.
The election is near at hand, and there re-
mains little time for a canvass. The peo-
pie OF the district know Mr.. Meldrim be-
cause he has served them honorably and
faithfully as Counsellor, Attorney and Sen
ator. His fame is widespread, and his pop
ularity is not coufined to Chatham, Bryan
and Ehingham counties.
Let the military men of our city, in whose
interest he worked so faithfully and devo-
teddy; let the old men whose hair has be-
come silvered in the ranks of the Democra-
cy let the young men who have in him the
brightest exemplar Of genius, talent and
success in life; let the mechanic whose brain
has invented the wonders of the age; let the
working men, the hardy sons Of toll whose
countenances portray the grandest manhood;
let the merchant, whose wants were always
to; let the colored men who have
found in him the eloquent advocate and true
friend let them all turn out en- nlGSse on
election day to support this able lawyer, ac-
complished statesman and distinguished |
patriot. Let us give him rousing major
ity, and let us hope that in next November
the silvery-tongued Meldrim will be heard in
the Senate Of Georgia, and that his second !
term will be Eeven more brilliant than his