Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-04-01
MAHoNEs NsINCERE SUPPORT.
His Party Wavering and Talking Some
what About Blaine

For several days Mahone's followers
have manifested a disposition to be very
reticent as to their choice of. Presidential
candidates, says a Richmond special to
the New York Times. Mr.. Arthuris con-
cluded to be their preference, but since
Mr.. Blaine seems to be developing
strength in the Middle and Eastern
states, some of Mahone's followers who
have visited this city in the past a hours
have endeavored to give the impression
that the convention of their party, which
meets here on April %, to select delegates
to the Republican Convention at Chicago.
Will be left untrammeled to choose repre-
sentatiYes to that body, regardless of pre-
ference for any particular candidate. One
or two county meetings recently held by
Mahone men, at which delegates were
chosen to the Richmond Convention,
have recommended as delegates to the
National Convention persons who are
avowed and outspoken friends of Blaine.
The object of this seeming frankness on
the part of the Malone leaders is general
ly believed to be prompted by desire to
disarm the friends of Mr.. Blaine and other
prominent aspirants for the Republican
nomination in opposition to Arthur. 4
few OF the most stalwart Malone men in
the State have, within few DAYS, eX-
pressed the warmest friendship for the
eX-Secretary of State. One of these. who
has blindly followed Malone in every
contest made by him in this State, said
to-day: Il do not object to Mr.. Blaine,
and, If | am sent to Chicago, am not so
sure but what l shall vote for that gentle
man." What is more significant. the man
who made this remark is a coalition office
holder of some influence. Straight-outs
and Democrats look upon this sudden
change in tactics of the Coalitionists as a
desire to win the friendship of all candi-
dates for the Republican nomination, and,
If possible, through their influence, get
the straight-Outs off the track. Mahone's
county meetings have, as rule re-
Trained from indorsing the claims Of any
candidate. Where any mention has been
made OF Mr.. Arthur in such gatherings
it has been merely to commend his admin
istration. Despite the pretended friend
ship of MahOne's followers for other as
plrants for the Republican nomination, it
seems to be conceded that Mahone's party
is committed to Arthur as LONG as he
stands any chance.
1t is very probable that the act @1assed
by the Democrats at the recent session of
the Legislature apportiOning thIsiState for
members OF Congress will be tested before
the courts. The CoalitiOnists claim that
it is not valid. 1t was passed by the
democrats over the Governors veto. In
the State Senate the vote stood-yeas. 10:
nays, 9. Gen. Wickham, the only straight
out Republican member of that body at
that time, was excused from voting on the
bill. 1t is now claimed by the Coalition
lists that the measure did not receive the
vote of tw0-thirds of the members of the
Senate present, as required BY the
constitution. They say that Gen.
Wickham was present when the vote
on the bill was taken, but did not
vote; if that is true, it lacked one of re-
ceiving the constitutional vote necessary
to make it legal. The records of the SEN
ate, which alone can be received as eyi-
dence, will not show that that gentleman
was in the Senate chamber when the vote
was taken. The whole case will turn on
that point. Some of Mahone's people say
they will refuse to recognize the appor-
tionment made by the Democrats and vote
IN the present districts. 1t is hardly
likely that the candidates who expect to !
run on Mahone's ticket in the three large
negro districts will submit to such a
course, which might invalidate their |
claims in districts where they can GER
tainly be elected under the Democratic |
appOrti0nment.