The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-04-03
aeorRia,s New Senator.

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senator TO fill the vacancy caused by the
death of Senator Colquitt, and he has ac-
cepted the appointment. Nothing. we
could say commendatory Of Mr.. Walsh
would add 70 the esteem in which he IS
held by the people Of Georgia. He is a
clean handed, clean hearted, high minded
gentleman. who has made his influence
felt throughout the state by his sterling
honesty, his adherence to his convictions,
his earnest efforts in behalf of the ma
terial interests of Georgia and the city of
Augusta. and hisf deity to his friends.
He has been in the full sunlight Of pub
licity for long time, and TO one can
point to a blot upon his record. From 4
personal standpoint it is a source Of pleas
ure to US when honors are conferred upon
him, because we are satisfied that he is
worthy of them.
But while we have nothing but
praise for Mr. Walsh, We are not
satisfied that the governor has done the
wisest thing for the Democratic party in
making Mr.. Walsh senator. In two re-
spects, if we understand his political
views, he is not in accord with the Dem
ocratic party. He is a protectionist from
conviction, and favors the free coinage Of
silver II is true that he says in his let
ter Of acceptance that he will stand
squarely upon the national democratic
platform. That platform calls for tariff
for revenue only, and for sound money.
Mr.. Walsh will undoubtedly fulfill his
pledge in his letter of acceptance, but to
do so will he not have TO smother to some
extent his convictions2 If so. will he be
as much of a force in the Senate on the
line of the best democratic policy as he
would ifhe were in thorough accord with
the policy,
We do not pretend to question the mo-
tives Of the governor in appointing Mr..
Walsh, but he can not help seeing that in
making the appointment he abandoned
the high ground he took when he ap-
pointed Speaker Crisp. In notifying MIR.
Crisp of his appointment he said that he
hoped Mr. Crisp would tender his resig
nation as speaker at once, so that he
could take his seat in the Senate in time
to participate in the discussion and set
Element of the tariff question The gov
y
be of the highest importance that a tariff
reformer, who is thoroughly familiar
with the tariff question, should be made
senator Why did he abandon that position
when Speaker Crisp declined the ap-
pointment for reasons, which every one
admits, were clearly apparent and too
strong to be ignored
1t cannot be said that no other promi-
gent man in thorough accord with the
Democratic party was availablel Has
not Representative Turner a tariff reform
record that puts him in the front rank of
tariff reformers' Indeed, is he not even
better equipped in respect to the Wilson
bill than Speaker Crisp? He is a member
of the ways and means committee and
had as much to do with shaping that bill
as any other man in congress. And in
point of ability, who of the public men of
Georgia or, indeed, of any other state,
ranks higherl
In calling attention to Mr.. Turner we
do not question Mr. Walsh's ability to fill
the position for senator with credit
That is conceded We simply wish to
point out that the governors abandon
ment of clearly outlined policy IN re-
spect to the appointment is open to criti-
cism, and it is not improbable that it will
be criticised, not only at the present time
but later on. 1t may be that the governor
has an explanation of why he appointed a
gentleman who has long been known
for his adherence to the doctrine of pro-
lection after he had announced that he
considered it of vital Importance that at
this time the state should be represented
in the Senate by man in complete har-
mony with his party on the tariff and
thoroughly familiar with the Wilson bill
The governor took hold of the sena-
torial matter vigorously and won APP
plause. 1t was understood that he made
sacrifices for the good of the party and
the welfare of the country. Has he
settled that matter with as much credit to
himself as il was thought he would when
he made the first appointment We do
not think he has.