Birmingham state herald., 1895-11-21
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The Mobile IEE9lsIef IS III Qe5Hdtt. III it's issue Of the 19th 1t has this very re- markable leader.
 Our correspondent at Montgomery says Governor Oates in speech deliv- end at Clayton yesterday announced fhat he is not and will not be a candi- date for the goyernorship, but is a can aidate for the senate. We accept this as final Governor Oates in effect gives negative answer to our appeal addressed tU him to lead the sound money men in the next campaign, and this refusal leaves them for the present without leader. It is virtually a play into Cap fain Johnstons hands. and we do not yet see how 1t is to advance Governor Oates chances of election to the senate. If Captain Johnston wins it will be with a free silver, anti-administration house to back him, and these men will be disposed 10 please the populistS and throw their favors to our anti-adminstration candi- date for senator. If Captain Johnston loses and the administra tion men win they will not be willing to choose as sen ator a man who has refused them his help at the time it has been shown to him to be sorely needed.
 We cannot think that so astute a pol itician as Governor Oates is ignorant of the possible outcome of the situation for which he is in part responsible, and we must, therefore, presume that he has what appears to him to be good req son for his action. His appeal for har- mony and the announcement that he Is not wholly in accord with the adminis- tration would indicate that so far as he Is concerned he has turned the governor ship over to Captain Johnston and is bidding for the captains influence in the senatorial contest.
 Twill he get it? Not unless Captain Johnston is so enraptured with the idea of being governor that for the chance of getting that office he will forget Senator Pugh, who stayed out of the state last year to help him and is in the state this year to strengthen his cause tand inci- dentally his own.) We do not think Cap tain Johnston is the man to go back on a friend in that way"
 It is wrong in the Register to blame Governor Oates for adhering to an inten- ton which he has held from the outset He declared explicitly that he would not offer again as a candidate for governor, and has on every occasion when the mat ter has been submitted to him adhered to his first resolution. There has been no effort at deception or double dealing His course has been open and honest. It was also we'll known at the outset that he did not agree in all respects with the policy of the administration as regards the money question. and therefore the in situation that the governors present attitude is bid for the influence of the friends of Captain Johnston is entirely uncalled for and unfounded.
 Captain Johnston is a candidate for governor and he is making no alliances as respects the senatorship. The can didates for the senate will have to pad dle their own canoes.
 Now, one word as to favors. If Cap tain Johnston should be elected he would no doubt select his friends-other things being equal--for the few offices in his gift but he would be the governor of all the people. and no democrat would be ostraeised because he favored this or that candidate at the primaries Surely the Mobile Register should not be dis tressed upon this subject. As Mobile rarely ever gets an appointment and hardly ever gets her first choice. the peo- pie in that good county would in any event endure no unusual bardships. But we venture to say that Captain Johnston would respect her claims and select her best men as readily as any other man the Register could name.
 The Register should bear in mind also that the chances of Mobiles candidate for the senate would fare better if there were no contest over the governorship. Let the candidates for the senate go be- fore the people upon their personal qual- ifications and not be handicapped by national question which in the heat of debate would tend to irritate and dis grace the party.
 Clearly our Mobile friend will find it to the interest of all concerned to join the procession and make Captain Johnston's nomination unanimous The result would be a signal victory for the democracy.