Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-12-05
GUBERNAToRIAL GOSSIP.
The Possibility That the PrOhibitiOnists
WIN be in the Ring
From The A tlanea fGa1 Oonstitt

III DC III the INtnk.
From the Attaasa (Ga.) Constitution.
There seems to be prevailing impress
sion that it will not be many months be-
fore the whole State of Georgia will, as q
State, tacklet he prohibition question. A
well-known prohibitionist says that the
next Legislature will order such an elec-
ton.
''Why notr' said he. s'More than two
thirds of the counties Of the State are pro-
hlbltlon counties, and would so vote IN
general State election. Prohibition would
come to the counties of Fulton, Chatham,
Bibb and Richmond with such a tremen-
dous majority that the heavy vote of the
large cities of those counties could not
affect the result, even were they over
whelmingly against it. But they will not
be. We will carry Fulton and Bibb GER
tainly, and will push the antis close in
Richmond and Chatham. / believe IN
State election we would carry all four of
them, and would carry nine out Of every
ten counties in the State.'
A veteran politician who stood by re-
marked
Eyes, and it won't be until the Legisla-
ture orders a State election on the ques-
ton, that 1t will be made a State issue;
you'll hear from it again next summer
when the Gubernatorial kettle begins to
boil. Georgia has too many astute poll
ticians not to find one who will not take
advantage of such an opportunity. You
Will ind that among the candidates for
the position will be one who will turn the
prohibition crank for all that it is worth.
It's strong horse, you know, and while
the people may refuse to let it ride rough
shOd INTO the political arena, as they did
in Atlanta yesterday, still there are those
who will make the effort, and will be
thankful for such chance"
"Who will it beN'
CDR. Felton," was the Ginning reply OF
the four who composed the party.
"But suppose" said one, "that the
Democratic convention indorses prohibit
ton IN its PLATFORM Would not this de-
prive the doctor Of his thunder?"
elf it aid" responded the politician,
sit would not be Democratic, but pro-
hibitiOn convention, and the doctor would
be nominated anyway. No, my friends,
this talk about the Democratic State con-
vention indorsing prohibition is all bosh.
Ii cannot, it will not do it. believe that
the effort will be made, and it will have
more or less strength; 1t may pass, but il
it does, then we will have no Democratic
nominee, but one of new party which
would be formed by the insertion of such
a measure in It's platform"
Then the situation seems to be about
thi.:
If the State Democratic convention of
next year indorses prohibition as State
measure. it will also nominate FELTON, as
Governor.
If 1t does not, but is what it is called to
be, a Democratic convention, then FELTON,
will probably adopt q platform of his own,
and oppose the nominee.
Then will follow one of the most notable
contests ever made in the State.
But who will be the Democratic nomi-
nee2
Three months ago it looked like it might
be Bacon, but he began so early and
worked so hard that he has stopped to
| catch breath and oil up for the final dash,
and, in the meantime, others whose speed
| increases as they go have about caught
up as probabilities.
But Mai. Bacon is a gentleman in whom
the State could repOse such trust with
every confidence of pure, efficient, and
| honest administration.
Judge Simmons has also been on a warm
track for several months, and it is said
| that he still has his nose close to the
| ground. He has made an admirable Judge,
and would make as good Governor, and
he figures cOnspicuously as probability.
Gov. Mcdaniel. as safe Governor as
| Georgia ever had, is now being very
prominently mentioned for denomination,
| and the question of his non-elegibility is
scarcely considered any further. This
seems to have been practically settled,
and the verdict is that if the people want
him again there is no constitutional him
drance to prevent them getting him.
Certain it is, that If he submits his name
to the people, he will come to the con-
ventiOn with powerful support, for a
record such as he has made must find a
hearty Endorsement at the hands Of the
people.
But South Georgia thinks that IL is her
time to WELD the executive wand, and it
is said that it will come to the convention
with very strong argument, in which it
will take this as a premise. Hershel V.
johnson was the last Governor of Georgia
coming from that large section of the
State below the line drawn from Augusta
to Columbus through Macon. Even such
an imaginary line would pass through the
county in which he lived. Since then Au-
gusta has had jenkins, and Columbus,
Smith, but the section below is still hold
ing an open bag, and 1t is decidedly the
larger portion OF the State.
Hence its position is not surprising.
But if South Georgia is TO get the man,
who will il be? There are three from ga
vannab, who have been mentioned; Estill,
whose executive ability has been demon
strated in his enterprising newspaper;
Lester, whose record as Mayor, and Sem
ator urges him for promotion, and Bob
Falligant, whose executive smile would
put the whole State in a good humor.
There are many who think that Con-
| gresham Turner. of Quitm9n, would
make as good a Governor as he has Con-
nd ha