People's party paper. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1891-1898, 1893-02-24
A GEORGIA EPISODE.

Wednesday, February 18th, Mr.
Boutelle of Maine, answering
charge against Capt. A. E. Buck
made by Mr.. Livingston several days
before, brought before Congress and
the country some amusing facts of
the not very long ago. This matter,
from the Record, should be known
to every Georgian, as it shows who
in Georgia made the first overtures
toward the political nuptials adver-
tised for contamination in Washing
ton March 4th. The resolutions re-
ferred to by Mr.. Boutelle do not ap'
pear in the Congressional Record,
but will be remembered as part of
the campaign for the Democratic
nomination in ibis district. Mr.. Bou-
telle said:
Well, there are some Democrats in
Georgia who seem to have felt very
much as / do, ever since the nomina-
ton of the gentleman from the At
lanta district, who has just taken his
seat. Laughter and applause on the
Republican side | hold IN my
hand here an extract from the At
lanta (Ga.) Constitution, to which I
had not intended to make any refer
ence, but the derisive laughter on the
Democratic side of the House almost
tempts me to read the account of a
meeting of 81 effersonian Democrats"
said to have been held IN Atlanta, at
which resolutions were adopted, Wig
orously denounoing the candidacy
and doctrines Of the gentleman from
Georgia Nh. Livingston]. Re-
newed laughter and applause on the
Republican side. y
Now, Mr.. Chairman, Capt. Buck
enlisted as captain of Company @ of
the Thirteenth Maine Infantry, rem
dering gallant service; and after the
war With, as | think, o mistaken idea.
as to the future comfort of life, he
settled at distance from my part of
the country laughter casting his
lot with the people Of Georgia.
When President Harrison was
elected and was considering the Sc
lection of his heads of departments
four years ago, a movement was
started to recommend Mr.. Buck for
seat in his cabinet. Very strong
Republican Endorsements were for
warded to the President elect, and
some eminent gentlemen, among Mr..
Bucks political opponents, having
learned of the movement, voluntarily
sent testimonials which have hardly
ever seen equaled in cordially or
unanimlty, even when the commenda-
ton has emanated from men of the
same political faith. I will now read
those testimonials and call particular
attention to the names appended:
FIFTH AVE HOTEL. MADISON SQUARE,
SIR: First thanking you for honor
ing me with reply to a former letter,
permit me to advise you in the outset of
this that I have never sought or held
political office and that / desire none,
hence whatever [ may take the liberty
of saying to you upon public matters is
purely impersonal and in the interest of
our Southern people and your admins
tratlOn.
Being familiar with the plans of the
political friends of Col. A. E. Buck to
present his name to you for c0nsidera-
ton, as a member Of your Cabinet, it
occurred to me that the political nature
Of such presentation would necessarily
exclude the names of our most promi-
nent and influential citizens, whose
opinion must be of some value to you.
With that in view, the paper herewith
was drawn and presented to prominent
Democrats only, gentlemen of the very
highest standing, all of whom knew
Col. Buck intimately, and every one of
whom expressed a great satisfaction and
pleasure that the opportunity was
offered. Notwithstanding the fact that
but few hours time was given to the
matter, the paper includes the names Of
the State government officials almost
complete, from his excellency, Gov.
Gordon, down the judges Of the Su-
preme Court and United States District
Courts, the mayor and mayor elect of
Atlanta, the editor and proprietor of the
Constitution newspaper, the president
of nearly every bank in the city, the
county commissioners, and number of
our most prominent wholesale and cot
ton merchants.
I had so little time prior to leaving for
this city on important business that I
failed to see the editors and proprietors
Of the #Evening Journal, but I know
from what they have said editorially and
to me personally in regard to Col. Buck,
that had the paper been presented they
would have esteemed it a privilege to
have signed it. In fact, think it is per-
*The journal is Hoke Smiths paper.