The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-11-07
ATKINSON STILL FAR AHEAD.
STANDS A GOOD CHANCE TO WIN ON
THE FIRST BALLOT.

iority That He Can Absolutely
Rely On-Hns Pledges of Sutti-
Client Number of Ballots, But Docs
Not Rely on Them rs Sure to stand
nv Him-Berner and Evans Refuse
tn Re Drawn Into n Fight-The OPP
position Unable to Unite on Man
to Pit Against the GVernor.
Atlanta. Ca, Nov. 6.-All the senate
rial candidates had their caucuses this
afternoon, and tonight the situation Pas
progressed far enough to show just where
every member stands. The candidates all
know who are for them and who are an,
committed. They have also made up their
schedules for successive ballots, which in
dicates that there will not be walk over
for anybody on the first roll call, unless
GOV. Atkinson makes sufficient further
gains to accomplish that result His eau
Gus to-day showed, it is understood, that
he still lacks something like dozen votes
of a majority that he can absolutely rely
upon. His managers claim that they
have pledges from enough to elect on the
first ballot but some of these are some>
what uncertain.
The other candidates admit that the
governor has a long lead but deny chat
he has yet enough to nominate on the first
ballot. They know, however, that the
field of uncommitted members is still
large enough to make it possible for the
governor to gather in enough to put aim
through with a rush when the caucus
meets.
To-day there was a great deal of quiet
talk about consolidation of all the oppo>
sition to the governor but so far as can
be learned, no agreement could be reached
as to the man upon whom the field should
settle. The matter was discussed in all the
caucuses, but it appears that as yet the
candidates have been unable TO get sur
ficient hold upon their followers to de-
liver them to whomsoever they please. In
fact the field is largely supported through
a spirit of local pride, and when the cam
didates begin to drop out one by one their
strength will not be controlled
by any one. 1t is for
this reason that the opposition
to the governor desire to bring about a
consolidation before the caucus meets.
They think that there is more possibility
of handling the opposition now than there
will be when things go TO pieces in the eau
Gus.
To-day Hon. Fleming duBignon was urg-
ed by many of the most potential factors
in the assembly TO allow the use of his
name. He has also received many letters
from different parts of the state urging
him to become a candidate. He was assur-
ed of very fiattering support to-day If he
would enter, and tonight when seen by
the Morning News correspondent, he said
that he had the matter under advisement,
but was not ready yet to say whether he
would yield to the requests of his friends
or not. If he should do so he will probably
make his announcement tomorrow.
Tonight Hon. w. j. Robertson of Hab-
ersham, one of the field of candidates,
made speech to the members of the leg
islature in representatives hall. Col. Rob-
ertson was invited to speak upon a resolu-
tion introduced in the House by Mr.. john
son of Hall county, one of his friends.
None of the other candidates were includ-
ed in the invitation, however. and it is
not likely that they will care to make ad-
dresses. The time between now and the
caucus is too short for them all to be
heard and as a rule they prefer to devote
their time to organizing their forces any
how. Col. Robertson's speech was heard
with close attention and it is believed it
has made some impression. He is a silver
man and said he had not abandoned his
views on that question since the disaster
that overlook the white metal in the ma
tional election.
President Berner of the Senate has be-
come something of a center in the SEN
atorial situation. The anti-Atkinson
forces, knowing that he has long been a
friend of the governor. thought they saw
an opportunity to weaken the governor s
cause by stirring up a row betweehi the
friends of Mr. Berner and Gen Evans
1t has been taken for granted that Mr.
Beruer would be a candidate for the gov
ernorship in case of Atkinsons election
TO the Senate. By virtue of his position
he has been pointed to as the logical
candidate This, together with the known
TACT OF the friendship between he and
GOV. Atkinson, led to the presumption
that the governor would use his influence
in Mr.. Berners behalf. The campaign
had hardly gotten well opened. however.
when 1t became apparent that the public
sentiment was strong in favor of Gov. At
klnson for the Senate and Gen. Evans for
governor to succeed him. Gov Atkinson
received numerous letters from his friends
an over the state on this line They in
sisted upon promulgating this sort of a
prOsfamme Tor him, and as a result of this
sentiment IL has come to be an accented
-aet that whether he is committed n
len Evans or not, his friends will rally
10 zen. Evans for governor in the event
OF his election to the Senate. Gen. Evans
friends have also fallen into line i'm ths
same way, and are working for Gov Al.
klhson Tor the Senate so as to make q
vacancy In the governors chair. and thus
anord the opportunity of placing the cal.
lant Old soldier in it as his successor
Neither Gov. Atkinson or Mr. Rerner Wi,
make any statement in regard to the mar.
Ter They take the position that TO civ,
an expression of their sentiment ono vya1
or the other would be not only the hieh,
OF bad taste, but an act Wholly benea II
the dignity of man aspiring to such ;
hlsh Office. An expression one way or tn,
other by either Gov. Atkinson or Mr.
Berner would, they say, imply a trade OF
the exalted offices Of senator or governor
and for that reason, although the situa
ton has been made embarrassing to som,
extent By the use made OF it by the opposf
ton, neither the governor or Mr. Berne
viii discuss it even with their most init
mate friends.
With these peculiar circumstances bind
ing them TO silence upon the subject of tn
possible gubernatorial succession, the Oh
ponents of Gov. Atkinson have under
taken to create the impression that tn
governor. while encouraging the work tina
IS being done DV the friends If C.or, tr,.a,,