The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-01-27
POLITICS IN FLORIDA.
No Danger OF the Republicans Garry
ing the State In NoVember.

80 -~----zD- "a M As5DuDAAEaAAS
ing the State IN November.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla, Jan. 26-An OBJ
servant northern republican who spends his
winters in Florida, after asking and receiv-
/ ing ASSURANCES that his name would not be
used, unbosomed himself last night to a
MORNING News representative.
81 have recently travelled over the greater
portion OF this state,n said he. and 1 find
that the republicans are not in II even a lit
tie Bit But the time ia ripe for the repub-
Lcans TO pave the wayato success for their
party in Florida in 1896 and they have
already taken the initial step toward ac-
comprising that end.
in 1916. when you democrats, after q
hard struggle, succeeded In electing George
| +. Drew governor, Sherman Conant, one
! Of the shrewdest republicans in the state,
saw the handwriting on the wall and
recognized the fact that the democrats had
captured the machine and would hold it,
unless the republicans made a quick and
strategic move on the political checker
board. 1t was then that he suggested the
| plan OF announcing Immediately that the
republicans had given up and would not
put ticket In the field in 1880. He con-
tended that such an announcement
would make the democrats careless
and that they would soon begin to
fight each other over fractional differences,
thus giving the republicans q chance, by
combining with one or the other Of the
factions, 10 again get hold OF the reins Of
government. His advice was not taken
| and the democrats have held all the offices
in Florida ever since. Last summer, how
ever, when the heated senatorial fight in
the legislature brought on bitter feelings
between the two democratic factions, the
republicans remembered Sherman Conaut's
advice, and a number of the most promi-
nent among them had a conference at
Jacksonville and resolved to adopt that
plan for the campaign Of 1892.
They whispered around in quiet way,
! but In such a manner that it got into the
! newspapers, their determination not to run
a state ticket in 1892. This was done to
make the democrats believe they had every
thing their own way, which would fan the
fractional spark between the Call and anti
Call democrats into a fierce flame, and,
they argued, bring on fight which would
result in split, and the nomination of two
democratic tickets. Then the republicans
would get in their work. They would offer
their votes and support to the faction which
would make the best bid.
What do they want? Why, they would
demand the repeal of the present S-box
ballot law, which has killed republican
votes by the thousands, and would ask that
| they have representations on the boards of
| COulbJ COIlill AbSlOueIS Al WIS VdTiDuS COuu-
| ties. Having secured the repeal of the cleo
| ton law, and by quiet work kept the
fractional tres brightly burning, it would
be an easy matter to elect full republican
ticket in 1896
''Do think there will be a split in the
| democratic state convention9 Well. that
depends upon harmonzirg influences being
| quickly brought to boar on the most bitter
| leaders OF the two factions There is not so
| mnph danUar of 81 Qriif fba orb
torial fight as there will be in the battle to
adopt the maiority rule Instead of the two
| thirds rule. L see some Of the state papers
are loudly demanding that this question be
settled by primaries in the various counties
If the democrats do that the hope of the re-
publicans will bes knocked sky-high and the
| democratic convention will be harmonious
What do l hear about the candidates of
the two factions! o, there is very little be-
ing said in that line except as TO the choice
| for governor. IL seems to be pretty gener-
ally understood that Judge II. L. Mitchell
of Tampa is to be the anti-Call guberna-
sorial candidate, and from what l saw In
South Florida, am inclined to think he is
| developing considerable strength. Yes.
believe he will draw some votes from the
Call faction.
! ut is not SO easy to say who will be the
| gubernatorial candidate of the CRllites.
They are running still hunt campaign,
| and, like the Irishmans flea, it is hard to
| get them under your thumb. 1t was
thought for long time, and the anti
| Callites still believe it, that Hon. JEFF B.
| Browne. late president Of the Senate and a
red-hot Call man, viii be their candidate
| for governor. But from what I have re-
Gently heard, from what consider an au-
| thoritative source, that is but bluff to
mislead the anti-Calf faction and make them
waste their ammunition fighting Browne,
while the Callites will be actively at work
oanvsssing for another man. Who will he
be9 / cannot say positively, but have
reason to believe that it will be John L.
Crawford, present secretary ofstate Craw-
ford is ten to one a stronger man than
Calites the antis will have to get up early
in the morning to prevent his being nom
mated.
Yes, you democrats are going to have q
| lively state convention this year. II you
get through without a split your leaders
will indeed deserve great praise for their
wise Reneralship. They will have their
hands full for the next few months"
The foregoing conversation shows the
importance of the early getting together Of
the democratic factions in Florida. The
democrats cannot afford to fight among
| themselves.
The calling of the democratic national
convention for June 81 will necessitate the
| holding of the Florida state convention
either the latter part OF May or the first
week in June The state executive COM
mittee will soon act in this matter.
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