The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-06-06
NOT A POLITICAL TRADER.
Gov. Northern Explains His Support
Of His Nephew.

The Governor FavOrs His Kinsman
for Secretary of the Senate, but
Would Not Make Deal with Mr..
Atkinson to Secure His SUGGESTIVE
Governor Out in Card on the Sub
ject.
Atlanta. Ga, June 5.-Under date of
May go these dispatches contained an
item regarding the candidacy OF Charles
s. Northen of this city. nephew of Gov.
Northen, for the position Of secretary Of
the Senate, in opposition to Hon, William
Harris, of Worth county, who has filed
that office for j term of years. The article
set forth the fact that Mr. Northen is an
ardent supporter of MIR. Atkinson for
governor, and further stated that, 1t is
understood that there IS a definite agree
ment between Mr.. Atkinson and Mr..
Northen on the subject, whereby the gen
tleman from Coweta is supposed TO get
support from Gov Northens friends in
return for helping Charles ). Northeu to
beat Col. Bill Harris, though the COVER
nor knows nothing about the quiet work
of the Atkinson people among his
friends" The whole impression sought
to be conveyed, was that without his
knowledge or consent Gov. Northen's
friends were being played upon by Mr..
Atkinson through his relations with c. S.
Northen, the candidate for secretary of
the Senate.
In sending the dispatch however, the
telegraph operator made bull which
made the dispatch say there is an I'M
Outstanding between Gov. Northen and
Mr.. Atkinson, instead of Charles S.
Northen. The files in the telegraph office
here show this to be the case.
CARD FROM TIE GOVERNOR.
But the error in the dispatch offered
On opportunity for some campaign work,
and this afternoon Candidate Northen
brought ii to the attention of Gov.
Northen, and the result was a card from
the governor, il which he says
I have Endorsed and advocated the candi-
dacy of Mr. Charles Northen for the position
Of secretary Of the state Senate. because I be-
leVe, under our system of government roia-
tion in ONCE is desirable, and because know
him to be competent and deserving. I have
not in any sense connected his probable can
didacy with the nomination OF Mr.. Atkinson
as the democratic candidate for gov
ernor. nor viii l. Mr. NOrihen distinctly
understands that I would not yOuch his
candidacy if it's to be made matter Of po-
litical trade. During my entire public ca
reer, / have never maze what is known az a
political trade tor myself or my friends. j
shall certainly not enter upon such baseness
now. have never sought OI1ce for any man,
nor given Office to any citizen of this state &C
companied by the slightest lntimation from
me. that would give or expect even the most
insignificant favor ia return. To me. politi-
cal trade is an utter abOminatiOn. Onices in
this government are as absolutely the property
OF the people as the money deposited in
the treasury. and they should be Just as
earrpdlV uuardptl for the uUbI 10 pOo6 Tho
man who for personal ends can barter away
the one, can, for the same reasons appro-
pirate the other. The citizen or public ofticial
guilty Of such conduct should have the I'M
qualified condemnation of all honest men.
IN reply therefore, to the statements in
question / nave to say that / have
not only not entered into any such
negotiations as charged 10 secure the
election Of Mr.. Charles Northen. but 1 desire
here 20 say that would not support him or
any other man for public Office who makes an
element of his success the suppression OF
public will, by bargaining away the political
rights Of the people through political trades
for his personal political promotion. Herein
is found the corruption of our system Of gov
eminent. and I shall never be a party 10 its
growth W. !. NORTHEN
The governors card created a good
deal Of gossip among the politicians, and
by some. he was criticised for confessing
that he is advocating his nephew's can
didacy for position in the gift of the
legislature. The governor has never ex-
pressed his preferences on the present
gubernatorial campaign, but his card
to-day commits him to the advo-
cacy of his nephew who is one
Of Mr.. Atkinson's warmest supporters. If
MIR. Atkinson helps him in his race
against Col. Harris in return for his sup
port, and the governor admits that he is
advocating his nephew, il looks really as
if the COweta man is getting the benefit
of the governors friendship.