Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-09-23
DEMO CRATIC EXECUTIVE COM.
MITTEFa
Arrangements for Ihe TElectiOn-The
Position OF Col. j. HI. EsIIlI.

A meeting of the Democratic Executive
Committee was held yesterday morning at
the court house, A. Pratt Adams, ESQ, Vice
Chairman, presiding.
Resolutions were adopted providing for
the details of the election on the 4sh of De-
tober and the appointment Of the necessary
sub committees, challengers, table keepers,
etc.
Col. J. H Estill addressed the committee
at some length in regard to his nomination
on the legislative ticket.
On motion of Col. John Screven, seconded
by Marmaduke Hamilton, Esq, the Secre-
tary was requested to furnish his remarks
for publication in order that the community
could be generally and correctly informed in
regard to the matter. The motion was
unanimously adopted.
COLONEL EsTILL's POSITION.
Colonel Estill said: "From what can be
ascertained, it seems the opposition has
centred against me, as the weakest candi-
date on the ticket, on account of my tenn
perance proclivities, of which, however, l am
in 10 wise ashamed, and for which have no
apologies to offer. L feel that the commit
tee should be informed In regard to certain
matters, go that they can explain to their
friends the incOrrectness of reports that
have been circulated. My acceptance of
the nomination was under peculiar circum-
stances, and was very reluctantly yielded.
l positively declined the nomination when
It was first proposed by the committee, and
a ticket was then decided upon and re-
ported TO the meeting. Col. Warren's
| resignation left vacancy which It was the
| expressed desire of the meeting should be
| filed at once. When the committee retired
| thessecond time my name was again propos-
| ed, and the matter was presented In such
| light BY gentlemen OF the commit that |
was induced finally to change my mind
and consent, as 1t was growing ists,
| and 1t was important that the ticket should
| be completed at that meeting. have no
political aspirations, and no desire whatever
to represent Chatham county in the Legis-
| lature, ard would have been more than
pleased if another had been designated by
| the committee to fill the place. Having
given my consent, under the circumstances
as related, to the nomination, propose now
/ to stand for the race, as l consider the issue
| one Of importance to the Democratic
| party. If 90 to the l. gislature
| 1t will be as the representative OF the De-
mocracY alone, but 1t will also be at great
| personal sacrifice, as | can lily afford to
/ leave my business for such length OF time.
| It is true that fill number Of offices OF
honor and trust, though not Of emolument,
but they are Of such a character as to In no
way interfere with my business. whis5
| service In the Legislature would IL l
am defeated, l shall be perfectly con-
tent to remain at home. Now in regard
| to the temperance issue that has been
| raised, can only say that the gentlemen
urgi0g the opposition certainly fiatter me
| greatly by supposing or asserting that
l could shape legislation to secure
prohibition In this county. II any such
| laws are passed the question would have to
| be submitted to the vote Of the people,
| and my judgment is that it would be
overwhelmingly defeated. Therefore the
interests of the liquor dealers are
not in the slightest degree en-
| dangered by my temperance opin-
IONS | think the bsrkeepers and liquor
! dealers are q favored class in this COM
munitY, and have nothing to complain
| Of. The State laws In reference to the
i liquor traffic which are in operation
State are not rigidly enforced; IN fact, NAV
be considered dead statutes in this city. l
cannot, therefore, see why this hue and cry
| should be raised, The issue is unnecessary,
| and amounts to nothing. Prohibition or
| temperance does not enter into this contest;
the issue turns on the right OF the people
| to act for themselVes-On the mainte-
nance of the principles Of true Democracy
| and this opposition is raised by gentlemen
who are dissatisfied because they cannot
have things their own way. do not think
| It would be right for me TO withdraw from
| the ticket at this juncture, and weaken the
| cause or occasion embarrassment The Issue
| is made, the contest viii 90 on and what
ever the result shall not complains though
my best endeav0rs VIII be for the success Of
| the Democratic ticket"