National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1882-06-17
GEORGIA POLITICS.
IntcrVIcw with w. A. Picdgcr. Chairman
Of Ihc NcnmhIIcnn NInlc Committee.


A REPUBLICAN reporter met w. A. Pledger, Of
Georgia, the chairman Of tho Republican State
Central Committee Of that ate, and the following
interview took places
How are politics in your State about now2"
"wel, kind Of mixed but we hope this fall TO
make the feathers fly fom the old Bourbon goose"
what is your programmed"
"a wise politician never gives newspaper m ,n
his programme i'm detail, but have 10 objection
to giving you an outline. We mean, In the first
place, in the districts where we havelarge Rcpub.
llcan maIorities, and where there is probability
Of eocting Republicans, to run candidates Of that
fifth and household, and in the districts where
we have no such majortIes, and in those whore
we have them and can't poll them to support
good and fair minded Independents or L'berals"
How many Liberals and Republicans doyon
think can be. sent from Georgia q
Republicans and Independents. My immediate
following in Georgia are bent on giving the Bour.
erals we can nd them and NJ we %San To-
do It IN earnest so that there can be no doubt rs
TO our sincerity in the cause"
"Eou say your immediate following. What do
you mean by that?"
AZ mean That represent oil Republicans in
general way, aud II class Of them in special way,
or, In other words have an immediate following
OF about 10000 colored voters whose interests and
conditions depend upon the success OF some parry
other than the lnlolcrant Bourbon Democracy
This following rs you perhaps have. noticed. Is
sufficiently strong TO control the Republican poll
tics OF my state, and Il has stuck by me Al along
Will do so this fall. Belonging to this class, say
they are my immediate following This white Re.
puhlicnns, while not many In numbers, are po-
lent element in securing II ballot, and must from
sheer necessity give hearty support to the move
ment,"
the baltle?'
"organizng the county committees and clubs
The chairman Of the executive committee Is Stall
wart. having led the Grant element In Georgia
in 1880, and Is anxious that something be done
under President Arthur's administration To show
that his wisdom .hns penetrated even inn enitcnt
Georgia. We will have q State convention in
Georgia in August. at which time the smoke will
l,om up all along the line, and no mnn will be
recognized as n leader or patriot who sleeps on his
arms. Work OF 10 reco inition will 10 the watch
word. We have large independent element in
deposited aud counted, and we can furnish the
voters"
DO you think there ought to be any changes in
Federal offices to aid in tine work 2"
II think not, except where Democrats are found.
While nm satisfied that there are men holding
office that should not yet think 1t would be well
to defer their removal till the campaign wakes
warm, and then the President can perceive the
dellnquents and have their cases passed upon"
You intimate then that men should be In the
State and at work. and if they fail after the cam
p1ign commences should be disposed OFF,
Certainly"
"What do you think of the anticipated nomi-
nation of Mr. stephens by the Democracy Tor gov
"oh he is n Just and good man, but tho Democ-
racy will never nominate him. The Bourbons
mean to slaughter him in convention"
"Wil he stand t2'
"Well, you know about what he does in such
| cases. should not be surprised to wake up some
| morning. and see telegram from him TO the
people" saying he will stand for election by the
people," What have said is an expression of the
| views of the committee over which preside, AMI
which composes in fact the real leaders Of the
| party in the State of Georgia."
Why are there factions in your State?"
"Simply because of Il desire to control the local
| organization. II has no reference to preference
| for Presidential aSDrQntS i'll 1881, for President
Arthur is good enough for us, and we mean to
prove ourselves not uugrateful for Just aud wise
administration"
"What effect has the seating of tho Republican
contestants In the House Of Representatives upon
| the party in the South 2"
| * wholesome effect. 1t nerves our,party in the
| South for active work Tie voters feel that their
| expression At the ballot will not be stincd by the
fraud of ballotboX slufing. Yes, sir, IL makes us
feel happy, und we don't mind suffering little for
| the cause when we see 1t Is not in vain. II the
House will seat the other contestants from South
| Carolina and other Southern States should not
| be urprised To see many MS forty Republicans
| returned from the South next lnll''