The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-02-28
SENATORIAL SWEEPSTAKES.
ALL THE CANDIDATES IN A BUNCH
AT THE START.


Attempting TO Take the Lead in
order TO See if the Pace Is Too Hot.
Representative Crisp Would BE
Much Less Conspicuous Figure in
the senate Than in the House.
shreNd Politicians Keeping Their
Eyes on Mr.. duBignon and GOV.
Atkinson.
Washington Feb. 27.-Secretary Hoke
Smiths visit to Georgia at this time, is
said TO have more than ordinary signifi-
canoe. From one of his closest and most
trusted friends. ii is learned that he has
gone home 10 look after his political
fences. and take his bearings, before pro-
ceeding further in 1.-THE chase for the sem
atorship." The question in his mind at
present, is whether he can succeed in view
of the confused condition of Georgia poll
tics There are also personal considera-
tons to be observed, which cause secre-
tary Smith to hesitate about entering upon
an aggressive contest for the honor at this
period. His ambition is to reach the SEN
ate eventually, and his friends assert that
If he does not make it this year be viii
finally get there. for he is an indefatigable
worker when his personal interests and
ambitions are involved.
1t is stated upon excellent authority that
Secretary Smith has already given consid-
cradle attention to the formation of the
legislature that is to be elected next fall
which will have the naming of Senator
Gordon's successor. 1t is in the legislative
districts that he would exert his influence,
which is admitted to be potent by reason
of the federal patronage at his disposal,
II &c oil hat he ha 10 ma T.
ronage of the interior department to fur
Their his senatorial interests, but it is only
reasonable to suppose that the recipient
of Secretary Smiths official favors are pos
sessed with sufficient gratitude to return
the favor if an opportunity is presented.
Secretary Smiths enemies might charge
him with employing federal patronage TO
advance his personal ambition, but similar
accusations have been made against pub
lie officers before, without justification.
Whenever two or more members of the
Georgia colony come together at the cap
ftol the conversation invariably drifts to-
ward the senatorial question. Among the
members of the delegation in the House
of Representatives, majority of the menu
bers from Georgia do not hesitate 70 pre-
dict that eX-Speaker Crisp win be Sena
tor Gordon's successor. They point to the
fact that he sacrificed his personal desires
two years ago, to serve his party, and
his friends will not forget that noble dis
balloting for the senatorship commences.
Representative Crisp naturally declines
TO discuss the subject, resting upon the
simple statement that he has never an
nounced his candidacy for the senatorship
nor authorized any one to speak for him
on that subject. OF course, he appreci-
ates the fact that an election to the Sen
ate is generally regarded throughout the
political world as a promotion and the
average man is not averse to honorable
advancement in public or private life. In
40 will 10 10 fy "a H.
er of the democrats as long as he remains
a member of that body, while in the Sem
ate he would probably have to content
himself with a less conspicuous position
in the democratic ranks
Representative Turner is unquestiona-
bly, the choice of the administration dem
ocrats for the senatorship, with Secretary
Hoke Smith out of the race. No conf
dence Is violated in making this state
ment. The sound financial views of Rep
reSentatiVe Turner commend him not only
TO administration men in Georgia. but he
is well though of by the sound money men
in all sections of the country. If Secre-
tary Smith finally concludes to keep out
of the race, he will endeaVor to throw
whatever strength he may have to Rep
resentative Turner. The latter, however,
does not appear to be doing anything to
promote his own interests, and from his
past career 1t is supposed that he will
simply await developments, so far as the
senatorship is concerned, but in the mean
time keep in touch with his constituents
in the Eleventh congressional district. He
will not go into a scramble for the SEN
atorship, although it is not likely that
he would decline 1t If the legislature should
thus honor him. He is comfortably stu-
ated in the House of Representatives, |
where he commands the respect and con-
ndence of democrats and republicans.
Some of the shrewdest politicians in the
Georgia colony assert that the real fight
Tor the senatorshiD will be between Elem !
duBignon and Gov. Atkinson. They rec
ognize Mr.. duBignon as an able man. |
popular throughout the state, and gifted |
a. mn flfz 10 hoe hoo
the senatorship problem for a long time
and his friends claim that he has not spent
his time unprotitably. The appearance of
Gov. Atkinson in the race does not create |
much surprise, because IL was learned |
during his last visit TO Washington that
he contracted the senatorial fever after
spending several days upon the floor of
the Senate. From a very reliable source
1T is learned that combination has been
formed between the friends of Gov. Atkin- |
son, State Treasurer Hardeman and
steve" Clay, chairman of the state ex-
ecutive committee. for the purpose of
sending Gov. Atkinson to the Senate and
either Hardeman or Clay to the state
house. The same combination, which is
said to have the support of many of the
young men of the party will favor one |
convention, and win endeavor to control |
the delegates to the national convention
Speaker Reeds tally keepers chal-
lenge the count of the Mckinley boomers
as recently given out by REPRESENTATIVE |
Grosvenor, in which it is stated that the
South Carolina delegation to St Louis |
WIN pc LOT Mchlnley, Ihere are two fac
lions IN the Palmetto state, one headed |
by =. NJ. Brayton, who is member of the |
national committee, and the other by Col |
BOD Smals, the colored eX-congressman |
from the Beaufort district. BraVton saws
ne is for Reed, his friends If they control
the primaries as they expect to do. will
also be 1or the speaker. Col. Smalls is
more cautious than his white rival for
while stating that he likes Reed, Allison
and Morton, he throws out bid from
mckinley and all of the "favorite sons
in sight by the general announcement on
behalt OF the South Carolina republicans
Desc fela who make up de States, de
uoes US lhJustlce IN counting us for any
man. We will not know who we is for lin
we gifts to de convention"
COLONY DEAL CLOSED.