The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-09-22
A NEW BOARD OF REGISTRARS.
JUDGE FALLIGANT's SOLUTION or
A VEXED QUESTION.

Applying the Knife-The New
Board Looked Upon With Favor
on All sides.
Judge Falligant accomplished the diff
cult feat yesterday OF rendering decis-
ion upon a political matter which gave
entire satisfaction 10 all sides. and left
no cause of complaint to any faction that
sny advantage had been given its oppo-
nents.
At the same time, Judge Falligant pre-
vented a protracted hearing of the petl-
4ion for the removal OF Mr. Tomlnson F.
johnson as registrar for the republican
party, which would have been marked by
much bitterness. and which would I'M
doubtedly have added to the unpleasant
state of feeling existing between the two
political factions.
At 10 o'clock Yesterday morning, the SUI
perior court room was filed with those
interested in hearing the petition for the
removal Of Mr.. Johnson as registrar, by
Mr. w w. Osborne, as the representative
of the primary democracy. Mr. Osborne
was present with a number of witnesses
whom he expected to place upon the stand
in support OF his charges Of parusanshlp
against Mr.. Johnson. Hon. F. q. du-
Bignon was present as the chairman OF
the democratic executive committee. MI
Johnson was present with his attorney
Col. A. r. Lawton. Maj. z. w. Meldrlm
and Mr. NJ. A. O'Byrne were present
representing the Liberal Club. Mr.. Geo.
H Miller, populist candidate for con-
gress, was present representing the popu-
lists, and Mr.. w. B. Stubs was on hand
representing the prohibiuonists. In fact
all shades of political opinion IN the coun-
~ were well represented, with the ex-
ception of the republican party, OF when
Mr.. Johnson was the only representative
present. He might well have exclaimed
again, had he thought Of 1t, Il am
political orphan"
Those who expected a heated discussion
were disappointed. Judge Falligant had put
on his thinking cap after the petition for
Mr. Johnson's removal was presented 10
him Saturday night, and had reached
conclusion by which he was SATISFIED much
bitterness could be prevented.
Instead of going on the bench at 10
o'clock Judge Falligant called all the
gentlemen, representing the various point
zeal interest, as named above, into his
chambers. A conference lasting nearly an
hour was held.
Judge Falligant Informed them that he
had reached a conclusion in the matter,
and that he had made up his own mind
that the only solution Of an evidently
vexed question was the removal or all
three registrars and the appointment Of
an entirely new board. While he had the
utmost confidence in the integrity and the
honesty Of intention of all three members
of the board. he said, there had been so
much bitterness injected into the cam
paign and partisan feeling ran so high,
he felt that It would be to the interests Of
all concerned to appoint three new men,
who had not been involved IN partisan dis
putes, and against whom no bitterness had
been aroused.
Judge Falligants announcement met
with Immediate approval All saw in it a
ready solution of a vexed question. The
only thing that remained to do was 10
name the three members OF the board.
Judge Falligant announced that he had
thought of appointing Maj. Meldrim for
the Liberal Club and Hon. Pope Barrow
for the Citizens Club. with some well
known republican for the third member Of
the board Neither Maj. Meldrim nor Mr..
Barrow had any desire for such honors,
and it was so announced.
1t was stated that Mr.. Miller had petit
ton in his pocket for the appointment
of MIR. w b. Stubs as registrar In case
of Mr. Johnson's removal The names
of Mr.. H Clarke Wright for the Citizens
Club and Mr. Aeneas E. Way for the Lib
eral Club, were put forward and were sat
isfactory to Judge Falligant. 1t was as
certained, however, that Mr.! Wright had
gone north for his health, and that Mr..
Way was suffering trouble with his eyes
which precluded the appointment of both
of these gentlemen. The name OF Mr..
E. S. Elliott was then submitted by the
Liberal Club representatives, and that OF
Mr. r. NJ Hitch by Mr.. Osborne for the
Citizens Club. Both were satisfactory
to Judge Falligant. The nomination OF
Mr.. w. b. Stubs for third place tc
represent prohibition, populist and 9th
er elements, was generally agreed to. This
completed the board.
Mr.. osborne agreed to withdraw the
petition for the removal of Mr.. Johnson
At II o'clock Judge Falligant mounted
the bench and announced that after tul
consideration of the matter he had come
to the conclusion that on account or tins
issues involved, the interests at stake II
the community, suggested the appoint
ment of a new set of registrars. He haC
announced his decision, he said, to thu
representatives of the various interests
and they had agreed with him. With re
gard to the gentlemen who were removed
he said, they were gentlemen entitled Il
the highest respect of the community
hut he thought that in the present stat
of public feeling 1t would be an unpleas
ant duty for them to sit as registrars
That the old registrars would have per
formed their duty he well knew, bu
acerbities had arisen and there hat
been other happenings which made II hes
that a change should be made. The pub
lie interests demanded he said, that tn
board of registrars should be an Impair
tial tribunal, which should discharge III
duties without prejudice or bias.
In the course of his remarks Judge Fal
lgant paid high tribute to the honest!
and integrity Of Mr.. Johnson. He static
that all charges against him had beel
withdrawn that he was his persona
friend, and after his appointment had ex
pressed a desire TO leave the board, bu
remained upon It at the request Of him
self, communicated through Messrs. +. G
duBignon and Pope Barrow. His homo
went on to say that he had the utmos
confidence In Mr.. Johnson, and that In nj
opinion no circumstances would Undue
him TO do anything which was not prope
and Just. And this he would say OF tn
other registrars also; but in view OF al
the circumstances, he deemed IT best I
pursue the course which he had an
nounced
The order displacing the old board an
installing the new board having alread
been drawn up and signed the names 0