The morning news., 1894-09-30

and is a hot one. There has been q con-
troversy over the recognition Of the COM
mission democrats by the state conven-
tion, and it ended in a refusal of that
body to admit that they are democrats.
The same is true of the commission wing
in Nassau Lake and Volusia, but the
story is too long and too complicated to
be recounted here The leader of the
commission faction Tor independently
in Duyal is j. M. Barrs, and by his
shrewdness and energy he has managed
to keep the principles ION the run" from
start to finish He precipitated a contest
on the question of the right Of his faction
to have access to the regisCra-
ton books, and after it went up
to the supreme court, he won on
it. In battle over the payment Of poll
taxes and the issuing of receipts therefor,
he lost. And at every turn the fight has
waXed hotter and hotter.
At the head of the Duval commission
ticket is Hon. d. q. Fletcher, at present
mayor of Jacksonville and a candidate for
the state Senate. He was born in Pike
county, Georgia, in 1859 and was educated
at the Vanderbilt University in Nashville,
from which he graduated with high
honors in 1880. He has been resident of
jacksonville, a practicing lawyer, since
1881, and he has been almost continually
since then in the city government, at one
time president of the council. He is ac-
counted fine speaker, and isa very popu-
lar young man.
The ouner legislative candidates on the
Fletcher ticket are Messrs Powell and
Pickett, the latter a mem Der or the lower
house in 1893.
Opposed to Fletcher for the Senate is
Hon John Earle Hartridge, the nominee
of the regular democracy. He is 43 years
old, native Floridian, born in Madison
county. graduate of the University of
Georgia, and a lawyer of ability and
pronounced success, professionally and
financially. At one time, long ago, he
was city attorney, but this is the only
Office he ever held. In 1888 President
Cleveland appointed Mr.. Hartridge
United States judge for the northern dis
trict of Florida, TO succeed Judge Settle,
but the republican Senate put OF his con-
frmation on one preteKt and another,
awaiting the accession Of Harrison 10 the
presidency in March, 1889 Then. Of
course, republican was appointed and
confirmed Mr.. Hartridge is an excellent
speaker, and has done fine campaign
work in the county.
On the ticket with him are w B. Plum
mer and DIR. w. Mel Dancy-both for
the lower house.
Edward j TRAY is at the head Of the
regular party organization IN DuVal
county. He is not, perhaps, amatch for
Barrs in shrewdness and far-sigh tedness,
but he knows the business of getting
votes and holding them. He has been in
politics for nearly dozen years, and has
served on the state committee in two or
three campaigns. Although a native of
Cardenas, Cuba, he was reared and edu-
Gated in Florida and was used to the rail
road business. He has been private
secretary to Gov. Fleming and state
treasurer, and is now state inspector of
illuminating oils. He has worked day
and night in this fight, and, If the rail
roads have given him barrel of money!
for campaign purposes, as alleged, he has
spent it judicously
The registration here is close on to
4,9O0 voters and nearly all of them have
had their poll taxes paid. Both sides, OF
course, claim a majority and both leaders
express confidence in the result II is no.
ticeable, however, that ii is difficult TO
find any even money offering on Fletcher,
although occasionally there is a venture
some commission democrat who puts some
up. There is plenty OF money offering on
HartridRe, but the Fletcher men say:
"Oh. yes, you fellows have got the in
spectors and clerks and can count us out,
If you choose. We won't bet money on
your honesty on election day"
Long ago the Fletcher faction charged
that the anti-commission men would steal