The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-12-06
Mr.. HAMILTON TALKS.
HE WILL ACCEPT THE MAYOR
Atty NOMINATION.

Atty NOMINATION.
A Strong Movement in His Behalf
The Opposition to Him Because OF
his Withdrawal from TIE Race Two
Years Ago-Hs Explains His Posi-
ton, and Why He Withdrew-His
Record as an Alderman-The West
End Democratic Club Changes Its
Name.
Mr. s. P. Hamilton is still very promi-
nently mentioned as the proper man for
mayor. and many of the best citizens have
expressed preference for him. There is,
however, opposition to him among some Of
the mem bers of the old Citizens Conserva-
tive Club. who tried to run the municipal
election two years ago, when that associa-
ton split on the nomination of Mr.. Lester,
and at the last moment after the committee
reported that gentlenan's name, nomi-
mated Mr. Hamilton. Mr.. Hamil-
ton declined the nomination after he
understood the state OF affairs and Mr..
| Lester was elected without opposition. In
an interview with Mr.. Hamilton he ex-
plains his position on that occasion, which
it is possible has never before been fully
understood
At the suggestion of a number of Mr..
Hamiltons friends, MORNING NEWS re-
porter interviewed him yesterday, and
asked him if he was candidate for the
nayoralty. Mr.. Hamilton said:
II am not candidate in the sense of seek
ing the position, but if it is the wish OF
majority of my fellow-citizans that I should
serve them, would feel that it would be my
duty to do So"
Then you do not desire the positionF'
| II consider that to be mayor Of Savannah
Is an honor that any citizen should be proud
OF, but what should appreciate mo-ethan
the honor of the position is the good opinion
and confidence Of my fellow-citizens,
amongst whom / have lived for the past
twenty-four years"
TIME TO GIVE TO THE OFFICE.
Have you the time to devote to the po-
sition that it requiresP'
II consider tue position. particularly
at this time, requires the greater part of the
time of whoever may be elected mayor,
and as am not engaged in active business,
| l could devote my time TO the city'S inter-
estn
You were nominated two years ago.
Why did you decline TO run thena"
II am glad of an opportunity to explain
that matter, as | understand that some
parties are trying to make capital of it. I
can explain it in few words On the
Saturday preceding the election / was
visited by some gentlemen, who informed
me that I had been nominated by the
Citizens Conservative Club as a candid to
question ! stated to them that it
was an important matter, and
that l. must have until the
next day to decide. L subsequently learned
that Col. Lester had been nominated by the
same club; that committee had notified
him of his nomination, and that he had ac-
copied. was assured by prominent citi-
zens and personal friends that, under the
circumstances my candidacy at that time
would create division and discord in the
party; SO, in the interest Of harmony and,
as l supposed and intended, for the public
good, at about noon on Sunday declined
the nomination. 1t is true that / was a
member of the club, but was not present
at the meetings when the action referred to
was taken"
Mr. HAMILToN's RECORD.
"You have served several years as an
alderman. What important matters were
you directly connected withq'
II was an alderman four years during
the administrations of Capt. Wheaton and
four years with Col. Lester. | was first
elected to council in 1877. l was made
chairman of the water works committee,
and when Col. Lester was elected was
|
which position l held up to the expiration
of my term in 1887. | was on the
committee on water works during the en-
tire time that l was in council, and was
always a strong advocate of pure water,
and differed from many who thought that
we had the best water in the country.
There are two requisites for health-pure
water, and we should have the pure air as
far as possible"
"You are said to be a prohibitionist."
II suppose that is joke, perpetrated by
some Of my friends, or it may be because
have been such an advocate of pure water
artesan. l might also speak Of my advo-
| cacy Of the purchase of the Dillon tract and
other matters, but 1 think l have said
enough, and my record as an alderman and
| q citizen should be a sufficient refutation of
any assertions as to my public or private
acts.
THE WEST SIDE CLUB.
A meeting of the West End Democratic
Club was held last night at the general
offices of the Central railroad. About 20O
out of town, but he wired his views
to the club. Vice President Nc
Intyre presided and in brief talk to the
club he advised the postponementot anYdis-
cussion of the mayoralty, and acting upon
this he appointed a committee of three, con-
sisting of G.. W. Drummond, A. C. Timer
and Homer Rawls. to name a committee of
ten to confer with the Savannah, Florida
and Western railway club this afternoon.
ARAILRoAD CLUB CONFERENCE.
The conference will be held at Assistant
Superintendent Aveilhe's Office, when the
mayoralty and aIdermanic canvass will be
fully discussed, and it is presumed
that the two clubs will center
upon some candidate as mayor aud also an
aldermauic ticket. The committee Of ten
is as follows F. A. Jones, j. T. Mcintyre,
A. c. Ulmer, J. g. Roberts, F. P. Haupt,
j. w. Smith, ]. J. Mannion, W. Q. Charl-
ton, w. G.. Vaughn and c. A. Lamotte.
The regular routine business was transacted.
The new bylaws and constitution were
read and unanimously adopted. The name
of the club was changed from West End
to the West Side Democratic
Club Several new members were
enrolled. The meeting this afternoon will
be with closed DOORS Mr.. Hamilton will
have strong following in both of the