Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-09-07
THE LEGISLATIVE FIELD.
THE CoUNTYs CONTESTS FOR
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

HOusC-POliticians Looking Forward
to the Conventions with Varied Ex-
pectatiOns-A Vigorous Local Cam
paign in Progress.
Matters are becoming decidedly active
in the field Of local politics. With the
approach Of the Chatham county mass
meeting on Thursday and the Senatorial
Convention next Monday, the contest for
Legislative honors is assuming definite
shape.
No one familiar With the political events
OF chatham county and the First district
Of the past few years, can fail to appreci-
ate the extent TO which spiteful opposition
and personal issues enter into the fight.
While none of the incumbents of legisla-
tive hOnOrs for the past two years are
again in the field for denomination, yet
there is enough to insure those who re-
member the contest of 1882 an industri-
Gus canvass during the remaining few
days before the nominations are made for
the two years TO come.
The county has been vigorously shaken
up, and the indications point to lively
struggle for hOnors in both Senate and
House.
The friends OF every man who Is a can
didate are industriOusly at work, and the
old familiar policy Of assuming his su-
periOr strength is notably apparent. The
county mass meeting Will be held on
Thursday.
Three candidates for the Lower House
Of the Legislature will be nominated and
I delegates VIII be sent to the Senatorial
I Convention on Sept. Is. 1t promises to
/ be an exciting meeting. The principal
| contest will be in the nomination of
/ Representatives. The fight for Senatorial
\ delegates, however, will not be without
| interest.
! In the Senatorial Convention Chatham
/ county viii be entitled to six votes,
bingham two and Bryan two. With
/ thetwO-thirds rule governing, seven votes
/ will be required to make nomination.
The MORNING News a week ago, in
| reviewing the legislative field, alluded to
a number Of gentlemen az possible candi-
/ dates for the lower house. Among them
were Maj. John Schwarz, Col. William
Garrard, Col. Peter Reilly, Maj. G.. NJ.
| Ryals and several others. Within the
| past week other gentlemen have been put
| forward by their friends. CAPT. w. w.
! Gordon is prominently suggested in con-
nection with the nomination, and also A.
X. LawtOn, Jr., and Gagaway Hartridge.
Maj. Schwarz, 1t is understood. has
since positively declined to permit the
use Of his name and will, under no cir
cumstances, be a candidate. Col. Gar
rard has not announced himself a candi-
I udlC HUI duAuOilLEu blG use OL HIS name.
1t IS understood that he does not desire a
nomination. Yet he may be induced to
accept If it is forced upon him. His
friends are confident of his acceptance,
and are making an active canvass in his
behalf. He is not known to have any
opposition.
Capt. Gordon has a strong backing in
the business community. and will 90 into
the convention with little opposition.
Col. Reilly was understood to have
positively declined to become a candidate,
but at the urgent solicitation of his
friends he yielded so far as to put himself
in their hands.
The three candidates have a political
strength ofnO mean character, and appear
to lead the race. Major Ryals is put
forward with an assurance of
vigorous support, and his
friends are confident of his nomination.
Mr.. LawtOn and Mr.. Hartridge represent
the younger class of aspirants and are
both understood to have more than an in
significant backing.
Capt. Falligant, who it was rumored
last week might be possible candidate,
IS not in the race, but figures prominently
in the Senatorial contest. The other gen.
tlemen named, although generally count
ed upon as candidates, have declared
themselves not to be in the field. The
| division of the hOnOrs rests, so far as
| is now known, with the five whose names
have been s. g eested.
If what is said among politicians in the
city is true the Senatorial honor will be
sharply contested. The most active can
vass, perhaps, is being made by the
friends of John W. Wilson, Esq. Mr..
/ Wilson Is popular young man, and if
placed in nomination would unquestiOna-
bly, command the unanimous vote OF the
| district.
Capt. Falligant is probably the leading
candidate, although he is under stood not
to be engaged in any open personal can
vass. HIS friends are, however, looking
after his interests, and it is claimed that
/ If placed before the convention he will
command a majority Of the votes on the
/ first ballot.
Hon. Philip NJ. Russell, Sr., and Henry
/ E. Smith, of Bryan county, are also in
/ the field.
The question of the candidacy of Hon.
| 2. w. Meldrim, the present Senator, is
settled by the following correspondence:
SAVANNAH, GA, Sept. 6. 1854.
/ Hon. p. ". MeIdrina, ctr:
/ DEAR SIR-As your name is prominently
mentioned as a candidate for the Senate from
/ this district, and as it is important that your
/ position and views be definitely understood, 1
/ venture to ask
o. Whether your name is used with your
/ consent?
! a. Whether you are willing to serve; that
/ Is, would you accept the nomination If it were
rendered your Yours, very truly,
/ sAyANNAHGA Sent 4 1884