The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1894-10-10
GEORGIA's MAJORITY REDUCED
Atkinson, Democrat, Elected Governor By
About 10000 Majority.

ATLANTA, Oct. 3.-W. Y. Atkinson,
Democrat, was elected Governor of
Georgia to-day by majority largely
reduced from that given to Governor
Northen two years ago.
The best returns at midnight indicate
a full vote, but falling off of certainly
fifty per cent. OF the Democratic ma
jority. Gov. Northen received in 1890,
lac. .492 votes, against 68, $50 for Peek,
Populist. II Atkinson has 600 ma
jority to-day it is more than his most
sanguine friends hope for. It is more
likely to fall to 10000.
In the campaign which led up to the
Democratic nomination the young De-
mocracy ran the Confederate veterans
out et the party by the, personal war
which they conducted against their
favorite, Gen. Clement A. Evans. He
was lampooned by the Atkinson men,
who said it was time for crutches to be
relegated to the rear.
The nomination of Atkinson was 80
distasteful to the veterans that fully
$1,000 Of item boited the Democratic
ticket to-day and voted for James K.
Hines, the Populist nominee.
In addition to this the speeches Of
Secretary Hoke Smith in advocacy of
Mr.. Cleveland's financial policy had
the effect of driving away many free
silver men. An instance of Confe6e-
rate discomfort was exhibited to-day in
one of the city wards OF Atlanta, when
the Rev. DR.. r. 81. Cleveland, the
well-known Presbyterian preacher and
the Chaplain Of the Fulton County
Veterans Association, approached the
polls. He picked up q Democratic
ticket, and folding Mr.. Atkinsen's
name. was about to tear it of. Msjor
Bob Quinn approached and asked him
to vote the straight ticket. DR.. CleVe-
land finally said:
II cam: swallow Atkinson without
some help. Hes bitter pill for me.
Get me glass Of water"
The water was brought, and as the
doctor showed his ballot in he shut his
eyes and took big swallow Of water.
There now," he exclaimed, 1--we
swallowed Atkinson bodily, but / had
to wash him down with glass OF
water"
One of the surprises of the campaign
was the heavy populist vote given in
Fulton County, ia which Atlanta is
situated. The normal Democratic na-
jority is 1000. It looks at midnight as
if Atkinson would do well if he gets
500 majority. To show the drift OF
counties, Dougherty, which gave Nor
then 900 majority, gives Atkinson only
400. Floyd reduces her Democratic ma.
jority from LOCO to 600. Pike turns
over and gives a Populist majority.
Oconee increases her Populist naajori.
ty $50. Granville, in Atkinson's hom
county, gives Hines 81, against los fol
| Atkinson.
The Populist campaign in Georgia
was not run upon the wild Western
plan, but upon thoroughly conserva.
tive lines. The negro counties of South
Georgia vote Democratic, ggssing tbs
biggest majorities. Col. Hines tonight
thinks the returns so close that be de-
clines to give up the race. ...
The discontinue of the Democratic
majority, however, may truthfuily be
laid to the disafection of the Confede
rate veterans. Mr.. Atkinson led the
movement in the Legislature which
rejected the acceptance of the Confede
rate Veterans Home, for which the
late Henry w. Grady had collected the
sum ofS50,00O.
The building is now going to ruin
while ex-Attorney-Ge Ely, Con
federate veteran, is an inmate Of the
county poorhouse, within sight Of the
building which the people had erected
| for such men as he.