The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-10-24
CLIFTON WINS HIS FIGHT.
Bacon Losing Ground in His SkiTmiSh
for the SenatOTShip.

A Majority of the Democratic Repre-
sentation in the Legislature to Be Re-
quired to Nominate in the Caucus.
Crisp Looms UP in the Talk of Dark
Horse-w. H. venable Of Atlanta
Nominated for President of the Senate
and W. n. Fleming of Richmond for
Speaker of the House.
Atlanta, Ga, Oct. 23.-The democratic
members of the general assembly got
together this afternoon and determined
TO caucus on all offices from senator to
doorkeeper. No opposition to the caucus
was developed, although there was some
discussion over the adoption of the rules
to govern the caucus nominations.
Resolutions providing that no candidate
shall be declared the choice of the party
unless he shall receive a majority of the
total democratic representation in the
general assembly were formally adopted.
The hitch was over a proposition to
submit to a majority of those present at
the caucus meeting.
Representative Jenkins of Putnam
county was made chairman of the caucus
and Representative Doolan of Chatham
secretary. Hon. Mark Hardin, candidate
for clerk of the house, was made assist
ant secretary, although the caucus was
held with closed doors, none but members
elect being admitted.
Another meeting of the caucus is to be
held tomorrow night to take under con-
sideration the time of balloHng for sena-
tor and judges and solicitors. The latter
will be disposed of this week, but the SEN
atorial fight will in all probability go
over, as the election cannot be gone into
by the legislature before Nov g.
In the discussion that has followed the
organization of the caucus to-day it is
generally admitted that Mai. Bacon has
lost some of his prestige The more the
situation is studied the more it becomes
evident that there is good deal of fcti-
tious force in Maj. Bacons boom. This is
not an idle or individual opinion, but an
estimate made up from the views of the
men who are best posted on the situation.
The fight against requiring a majority of
the democratic representation in the eau
Gus was made in the interest of Mai
Bacon. His friends hoped that if they
could control the caucus by a majority of
those present they could rush their favo-
rite through, as he does not gain strength
with the progress of the fight. In fact, a
noticeable feature of the day has been de-
ieCllOH dulUHS men counted as certain Tor
Maj Bacon, to Messrs. Garrard and
Walsh. AT least a half dozen votes are
known to have gone their way. Col. Gar
rard's friends are particularly hopeful
since the little setback given the Bacon
men in the caucus, together with the
losses the major is known to have sus-
tanned.
Another feature of the day has been the
talk of Speaker Crisp or a compromise
man. Judge Turner's friends stand 10y
ally by him, evidently determined not
TO yield. This makes the others talk of
compromise, and in all their specula-
tions Speaker Crisp is the favorite. To
add to this talk Speaker Crisp appeared
on the scene tonight. He was imme-
ately surrounded. He says he is in no
sense seeker for the senatorship. His
appearance here tonight was merely ac-
cidental. Tomorrow night he will make
a speech in Chattanooga and only stopped
in Atlanta for the night.
A prediction is frequently made that If
Maj. Bacon cannot be elected, the lucky
man will not be any one of the avowed
candidates, which tends to show that Maj.
Bacon would prefer to throw his strength
to Speaker Crisp or some outside man,
rather than let it go to Judge Turner,
who next to himself has the most sure
votes to fight on. One of Mai, Racon's
most prominent friends, who last night
confidently predicted his election on the
first ballot, tonight does not believe that
he can be elected at all. The publication
of this mans name would create con-
sternation in the ranks of those who have
money upon the gentleman from Bibb
county.
Judge Turner has spent the day quietly,
Keeping his room most of the time. When
seen by the Morning News correspondent
tonight he expressed himself as salts
ned with his prospects.
The democratic members of the house
and senate held caucuses tonight and
nominated officers for election when the
legislature convenes tomorrow. Hon.
Charlton Battle of Muscogee was made
chairman of the house caucus, and SEN
ator Nat Harris presided on the other
side. There were no contests in the house,
but the race for secretary of the senate
was exciting. On the first ballot the two
candidates, H. II. Cabaniss of Atlanta
and William Clifton of Darien, were tied,
each receiving eighteen votes. Senator
Mcmillan of the Sixth district changed
from Mr.. Cabaniss to Mr. Clifton on the
second ballot, electing him by two ma
Jority. Charles S. Northen of Atlanta is
associated with Mr.. Clifton as assistant
secretary. Capt Charles Hansell of
Thomasville was on the defeated ticket.
w. H. Venable of Fulton and Charles
Brardt of Gwinnett were nominated for
president and president pro tenn. of the
senate without opposition, with Mr.. Will
son of Murray county as messenger of
the senate
w. H. Fleming of Richmond county was
nominated for speaker of the house and
Clarence Wilson of Clay county for
speaker pro tenn, without opposition.
Moses Martin of Gwnnett county was
nominated for doorkeeper of the house,
and John II. Smith of Coffee county for
messenger.
Representative Doolan arrived this
morning. Among the bills which he will
Introduce will be one to create the office
OF state boiler inspector whose salary
shall be derived from fees. He win also
reintroduce the bill for the Australian
ballot, which he introduced in the last