The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-10-05
WAS A DEMOCRATIC ROUT.
AtkinsOn's Majority in Georgia VIII Not
BE Over 10000.


BE Over 10000.
ATLANTA, Ga. Oct 5.-There will be
sixty five Populist members in the Geor-
gia legislature, which meets in this city
next Novemb Der. It is not yet ascertained
| how many such senators there will be-
Returns coming in today, officially veri-
fed, cut down Atkinson's majority, and
1t looks now as if he would not have over
10000 in the state. This is the first time
since 1870 that the Democratic majority
has fallen below 10000. 1t has ranged
from 6U,0U0 to 10000
The most startling feature of the cleo
ton, however, Is the development of the
fact that several congressional districts
show clean Populist majorities, which
may smash the solid Democratic delega-
ton in November next In the First,
Second. Eleventh and Eighth districts
where the PopuIists were hardly organ
lied and where they did not run legisla-
tive tickets in half the counties, the
Democratic majorities of two years ago
were reduced 80 per cent. In
Henry G. Turner's district, the Eleventh,
where hardly Popuiist county ticket
appeared, the Democratic majority fell
over 90 per cent The Tenth. Tom Wat
sons old district, gave a clear ROpu-
list majority. The Fourth, now repre-
scented by Charles J. Moses, is Populist
also, and returns coming in from the
Seventh indicate that district will be
likewise. Carter Tate's district, the
Ninth. only missed being Populist by
seven votes.
There is a strong impression that
the disastrous result to the Demo
cracy is due to Secretary Hoke
Smith and Congressman Henry
g. Turner. Two years ago, in
the presidential campaign, Hoke Smith
refused to participate in the discussions
under the direction of Chairman Atkin-
son of the executive committee. Now
that Atkinson was running for the gov
ernorship Smith threw himself into the
campaign. making fight against silver
coinage under all circumstances except
the agreement of foreign nations. This
was controverting the position previously
taken by the state platform and the nom
inee for governor
Henry 6. Turner. in advocacy of the
same idea, went into every district, but
almost wholly avoiding his own, and de-
clared for Cleveland's views.
The Populists were quick to catch on
to this wrangle in the Democratic ranks
and tantalized free silver Democrats
AS developed by the two representatives.
stumpiug the state. 1t was in this con-
dition of unrest that the Democratic state
committee refused the request Of the
Populists for representation the cards
Of election managers. Unfortunately
for the Democrats. the close vote which
is being reported affords the Populists
the opportunity of declaring that the
result will be tempered with in many
counties. While there is hardly any
legitimate room for such charge, yet it
will be made so constantly as to grow
into belief.
The Republicans voted solidly with
the PopuIists all through the state,
though there was a considerable division
of the colored vote, owing TO the pres
ence of campaign money on both sides
The Populists are hurrying up the nam
ing of congressional candidates in the
doubtful districts They will try to elect
Carry J. Thornton in the Fourth, w. H. |
FELTON, in the Seventh, Newton ]. Turtty |
in the Ninth and Thomas L. Watson in |
the Tenth.