The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-10-06
SPLIT IN THE SHOESTRING.
COHEN AND MURRAY VISIT THE
NATIONAL CAPITAL.

The COIOred Congressman NOtifes
the Republican Leaders That Col.
Elliott is Apt to he Elected Unless
Cohen Withdraws From the Race.
COhen's Course In ResigninE
From the Mail Service Indicates
Tint He Is in the Race to Stay.
Washington, Oct. 5.-George Washing
ton Murray the only negro member OF
the present congress, was one Of the CALI
ers at the republican headquarters to-day.
He has been re-nomnated from the
Charleston district, but a white republican
has also been nominated against him in
addition to the regular democratic nomi-
nee. Murray has had two terms in con-
gress, and he likes the life OF a national
statesman His district Is what Is known
as the "Shoestring" district, so named
because geographically it is long and mar
row, and overwhelmingly black. There
are two factions in the republican party
throughout the state of South Carolina,
and Murray is the leader of that faction
which opposed McKinleys nomination.
and advocates the cause OF Speaker Reed.
Cecil Cohen, a young Hebrew residing In
Charleston, has been selected by the Me-
Kinley republicans in that district to op-
pose Murray Cohen has been a clerk
In the railway postal service for several
years. and has not previously figured in
South Carolina politics. Last week he
came to Washington and had long con-
sultation with Representative Babcock,
chairman of the republican congressional
| committee, and Mr.. Richard Kerns of
Missouri, member OF the national repub-
lican committee detailed TO look after the
interest of the grand old party in the
southern states. Just what advice Cohen
received from Messrs. Babcock and
Kerns cannot be ascertained, but imme-
diately upon returning to Charleston, he
sent to the chief Of the railway mail SER
vice his resignation a postal clerk, and
II was accepted to-day.
Murray, 1t appears. heard of Cohen's
flying visit to Washington and concluded
that his standing with the republican
leaders needed a little bracing. He called
at headquarters to-day, accompanied by
"a friend from Charleston named Jennings,
and went over the situation with Chair
man Babcock and Secretary Mercer. MUIR
! ray claims he was nominated by tho
regular republican organization before
| Cohen entered the field, and he also
| claims that Cohen Is but a recent con-
vert to the republican faith. He wants
| the congressional committee to ignore
! Cohen candidacy, and declares that un-
| less Cohen Is pulled off the track tha
district may be carried by Col. William
| Elliott the democratic candidate who
! has served several terms in congress, and
! Is popular with nearly all Of the substan-
! tial people In that district.
The republican managers are not anx-
| ious to mix in the South Carolina con-
troversy, but it is evident that they are
not eager to 80 to the rescue of the col
ored brother, except under compusion. It
has been suggested that the contention
be referred to the congressional commit
! tee for final arbitration with a view OF
| deciding whether Murray or Cohen shall
withdraw. Neither of the men is willing
| to rest his claims upon the decision OF
! the committee. fearing the result may de-
| prive him of a chance to make a con-
| tesS There is always a contest from that
district
The subject will receive further consli-
| GRAFTON at the hands of the committee,
! for Chairman Babcock dislikes to decide
against Murray. fearing the effects of his
| decision may have upon the colored vote
| In other states.
| 1t is said that Murray has assurances
| from the Tillman leaders in the state
! that they will assist him to defeat Col
| Elliott, who is a sound money democrat
and an anti-Tillman man. 1t has been
| charged that Tillman helped Murray in
| his last contest against Elliott and In re-.
| turn Murray voted for free silver, when
the question came before the House, after
he had succeeded In his contested case
| against Col Elliott.