The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1894-05-14
OLD DOUGLAS AC.S 5.
Atkidson Men Capture 1t Through a Mass
Meeting.

democrats of Douglas county in a mass
meeting today, by a vote of 12l to a.
elected delegates to the gubernatorlal
convention, and instructed them for Mr.
Atkinson. His personal friends In the
county have been particularly active in his
behalf this being in the same senatorial
district with Mr. Atkinson's home county
Coweta. Local influences We're also directed
to him through the candidacy of Or. W mite
ly, of this county, for the state senate.
United States District Attorney Joe James
was one of Mr.. Atknson's most pronounced
supporters in the county, and, all things
considered, the result is just as was eX-
pected, though had there been primary
election General Evans would have carried
the county two to one. Considerable com
plant has already been called forth by
the fact that todays action was taken
in a mass meeting in which only 1875
men participated, out of the full democratic
strength of the county. 1t is feared that
this will be used with the strong popullst
element of the county in the regular cleo
ton, and that the action of such sllmly
attended mass meeting Will have general
ly bad effect throughout the rank and file
of the party in the county.
Fun with Resolutions.
The most interesting incident of the day
was in the introduction of resolutions con
corning the national administration, TINS
being the home county of District Attorney
James, who was, of course, very anxious
concerning the administration should be
passed, and he did not hesitate to make
known his desire to his friends He made
1t a personal matter on the ground that
it would not come in good grace for his
county to take issue with the administra-
ton, and urged his friends to assist him
in securing proper resolutions.
Then came the rub. Mr.. James is not
only one of the most popular men III the
county, but has also many friends through
out the state who are always ready TO
serve him. But he struck n serious Snag
among his friends here who, while being
willing to do anything they could to serve
him personally, drew the line on resolu-
lions of unqualified endorsement which
might put the county in the attitude of
the financial question. Then it was that
the original resolutions, which had been
outlined, We're greatly modified and pre-
pared for the meeting. But even the
change did not satisfy some Of the rock
ribbed democrats who wanted no flaw in
their endorsement of the democratic plat
form, ana who were unwilling to contribute
in any way to a straddling resolution con-
corning the silver question.
Then it apparent that a row was
imminent. and that the meeting, which
had promised to be such harmonious one,
for, through the intercession of Mr.. James
and Dr. Whitley, the meeting had practi-
cally settled for Mr.. Atkinson, was in dan
ger of being broken up by a row over the
question of the unqualified endorsement of
the administration.
Did Not Endorse.
OF course, all this happened before the
those most interested. After d while it
was finally agreed that there would be no
row over the resolutions if no effort was
made to pass sweeping endorsement of
the administrations policy. This the
friends OF Mr. James agreed to privately,
If the other side was willing to admit the
patriotism and honesty of Mr. Cleveland.
OF course, this was readily agreed to- as
the democrats of the county, while widely
differing from Mr. Cleveland on financial
questions, are ready TO accede to him
honesty of purpose in his views.
This is the inside story of how it was
that the following resolutions We're finally
agreed to. As will be seen, they cover the
democratic ground entirely, and calmly
avoid making any reference to any posi-
BILE endorsement Of the administration
which could be considered as in any way
endorsing its attitude on the financial
question.
But the resolutions speak for themselves
and they are as follows:
"ResolVed, first, That We hereby pledge
our fealty to the democratic party, both
state and national; that if the people of
this country receive any relief from any
party. believe that such relief VIII
come through the democratic party and
none other.
Resolved, second, That we express
the utmost confidence in the patriotism
honesty and fidelity of Grover Cleveland
president of the United States and in tina
present congress of the United States"