The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-10-30
ALL THE TALK IN GOTHAM.
The Tragedy Universally Deplored.
Two Chicago Men Talk.

New York, Oct 29.-Little else was dis
cussed in the clubs and hotels to-day
than the cowardly and unprovoked as
sassination of Mayor Carter H. Harrison,
of Chicago. The tragedy was universally
deplored and the wonder was expressed
by many that the murderer escaped lynch
ing One of the most prominent Chicagoans
who is town is Victor Lawson, publisher
of the Chicago Record and the Chicago
Daily News He said, at the Gilsey
house this afternoon, that Mayor Harri-
risOn was an extraordinary man, of
tremendous strength ana personality,
and possessed of what is called
great personal magnetism. He
had made politics his great life
business. Although opposed by all of the
daily newspapers in Chicago except his
own, he had achieved a decisive victory
in the last municipal election, although the
moral element was against him. On the
other hand, Mr.. Lawson said, it must be
admitted that his administration had not
been unsuccessful, although from high
moral standard it could be criticised. IL
was Mr. Harrisons method to be all
things to all men.
IN TOUCH WITH THE MASSES.
Few had the ability that Mr. Harrison
had to bring themselves into touch with
the masses. This, Mr.. Lawson went on,
was especially true with regard to his re-
lations with the foreign element Of
Chicago.
Asked his opinion as to Prendergast,
| the assassin, Mr.. Lawson said that there
was seemingly little doubt that he was a
crank One of the issues in the last
election was the elevation of the street
railroad tracks, as about one person
day. on the average, was being Killed. The
mayor was supposed to favor this reform,
but after the election he had shown luke
warmness. AS a result of this there had
in Sou tn Chicago been considerable feel
ing, led by priest
Mr.. Lawson thought that Prendergast
might have been interested in this move
ment. in all probability, according to
Mr.. Lawson, Oscar d. Weatherell, who
is controller of Chicago, would act as
mayor until a successor to Mr.. Harrison
was elected. Mr.. Weatherell is president
of the Globe National Bank, and a repub-
lican who was appointed by Mr., Har-
rison.
UNIVERSALLY ADMIRED.
s. j. Sherwood, of Chicago. who is at
the Holland house, said that Mayor Har-
rison was a man whom he had never
voted for, but he had always admired
him. He was. aside from politics, ad-
mired almost universally by the citizens
of Chicago. MIR. Sherwood said that un-
doubtedly PrenderPast was a crank, and
that no other significance was to be at
tached 10 the murder of the mayor
Secretary Dek riest. of the democratic
state committee, is in favor of additional
legislation TO protect the people against
cranks He said to-day that whenever a
man acts as Prendergast did in the pres
ence of the dead mayors secretary few
days before the murder, that he should at
once be taken into custody. He would go
even farther than this, and would say
that whenevera man showed signs of being
a dangerous crank he should be locked up
until his mental condition was inquired
into.
VENGEANCE THE MOTIVE.
The World this morning said editori-
ally: Garter II. Harrison, mayor of
Chicago was assassinated in his own
house last evening. The man In custody
had been dismissed from the police force,
a fact which suggests vengeance as the
instigating impulse. The public always
and properly looks with peculiar horror
upon the murder of a conspicuous public
officer as a crime involving the atrocity
of direct assault upon the state and
society, in addition TO the iniquity of
murder. The prompt arrest in this case
is an occasion for public congratulation.
1t is always peculiarly TO be deplored
when the assassination Of public officer
remains an unsOlved mystery, and an
17r, ol41ie bel ortrna