Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-05-23
FLORIDAPo POLITICS.
Who VIII BE the Next Governor Biloxi
ham. DreNr. OF a ozark Horse"


ham, Drew, or Ozark Horses'
JACKSONVILLE, FLA, May 20.-The po-
litical pot, although on the fire, has not
yet commenced TO boil. In fact, aside
from the quiet werk which is being done
by Gov. Bloxham's friends to bring about
his denomination, there is very little inter-
est manifested in politics among the DEM
ocrats Of Florida.
Meanwhile the Republicans and hide
pendents are not idle. At the St. Angus
tine Convention, held on the S0th of last
month by the Republicans, after select
ing their delegates 10 the National Re
publican Convention the meeting adopted
a series of resOlutions-yclept platform
the closing paragraph of which makes
a very Outspoken bid for the Independents
TO come in and take the machine, and by
combining forces to capture the State at
the next election.
From the present outlook there is
very grave doubts about the Democracy
carrying the State unless they are wise
in the selection of a standard-bearer. We
cannot afford TO fight defensive cam
paign, and it behOOves us to place man
in the field whose very name viii awaken
the echoes of 1876 from St. Mary's to the
key of the gulf, and from the Atlantic to
the Gulf. Every Florida Democrat remem-
bers that glorious campaign, when George
F. Drew led a fOrlorn hope, and snatched
a victory from the radical robbers. While
a small portion of the 0OfficehOlders are
out-and out Drew men, the people are
generally for him. They have a kindly
remembrance of his clean, straight.
forward. business-like administration, and
whatever Of faults may have existed, if
treasured up at all, have long since been
forgotten.
Your correspondent stepped into his
hardware store yesterday, and found the
Governor as busy as could be with his
large business. He was asked ifhe would
answer few questions on political topics,
and he replied that he had but little to
say.
What kind of information do you
want?"
"There is much talk all over Florida,
Governor, as to your attitude both TO the
party and to the nomination"
"What do YOU mean by my attitude to
the party? L am not only a Democrat,
but am also a strict party man. One or
two Of my friends have informed me that
the rumor is abroad that l am expected to
lead the Independents in the campaign.
There is only one way by which this can
possibly be done, and that is if | should be
nominated in the convention which meets
at Pensacola next month. If under those
circumstances the Independents Will fall
into line and support the ticket | shall be
happy to be their leader. As to your
other question about my attitude to the
nomination, l am in the hands of my
friends. l am a man Of business. My
time is pretty well occupied with it, and
/ have little time and less inclination to
pull wires or manipulate primaries.
leave all that to the professional politi-
clans. Lam not Indifferent, however. to
what is going on. / am as much inter
ested as any business man and
good Democrat in the selection of such a
ticket as Will win next November and in
sure good government in this State tor
the next four years. If Lam chosen to
lead the ticket l am willing to undertake
the task, though at some Interference with
my business. Whoever is nominated by
our party shall have my hearty support.
These are gratifying evidences that / am
not altogether forgotten by my friends
in different parts of Florida" and the
Governor exhibited a big pile Of
letters just received. Your correspondent
was permitted to look through them, and
was astOnished to see the ardOr manifest
ed in them. Several Of them were from
men who said they were opposed to him
in 1850 and fought him in the convention,
but had lived to regret the momentary
petulance which prompted it, and would
do the best they could tor him at the Pen
sacOla Convention.
A prominent Democrat from West Flor
ida writes: "The Independents here say
they want Drew. So do 1. And beside
polling his full party vote in this county,
all the Independents will support him.
A South Florida friend writes: "One
would think the old Purman pamphlet
was Anticipated, but, would sou believe it,
certain politicians are circulating it
down here against you nOwy In fact, it
was this that prompted me to write and
ask if you will allow us to run you for
Governor again."
There were other letters, but these show
the drift Of public opinion. After culling
them over and getting Governor Drew's
permission to take memoranda from them,
your correspondent retired, firmly con-
WINGED that the Drew men are not all
dead by a long shot. DEMOCRAT.