The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-06-15
IS WILLING FOB A CHANGE.
COL. LESTER DOESN'T OBJECT To A
POSTPONEMENT OF THE con-
VENTION.

VENTION.
He says He Has Nothing Whatever
10 DO With the Action of the Com
mIttee, and Does Not Propose to
Dictate 10 II in Any Way-He
Doesn't Consider That Mr.. Her
rfnrton Made Him Any Promises.
Col. Lester VIII Make no Formal
Aunouncement-Wh the Eman-
ueI County Democrats Have 10 say
OF the Meeting of the Committee
and the Call for the Convention.
The feature in politics this week will be
the action taken in regard TO ana per-
haps by the congressional convention.
In calling the congressional democratic
executive committee together again.
Chairman G. B. Whatley has yielded to
the request Of hon. Alfred Harrington Of
Emanuel county, who expects 20 be a
candidate Col Rufus Z. Lester having
stated that he had nothing whatever to
do with the matter, and that he did not
propose 10 dictate in the slightest way
20 the committee as to what fl should do.
Congressman Lester was seen yesterday
by a representative Of the Morning News,
and was asked about the matter.
1T makes no difference TO me what
ever, when the convention is held" he
said. so far as calling the committee
together is concerned, I have nothing
whatever 10 do with any action 1t may
take. and Of course / do not propose 10
dictate TO 1t in any way. The committee
has its own duty to perform, namely,
the fixing Of the time and place for hold
ing the convention, and that is a duty
Of its own, with which no one has any
right to interfere. The committee has
already done this. but If it should see
TT to name another date for the conven-
ton, it makes no difference to me, one
way or the other"
Col. Lester was asked about his cand-
dacy. and If he intended to make any
formal announcement.
He said he would make no announce
ment further than has already been made.
As 10 formal announcement he Will not
make any a ALL II is thoroughly under
stood, however that he will go before
the convention as candidate for the nom
inatiOn.
Col. Lester had nothing to say with re-
gard to Mr.. Herr ngtOn's candidacy. eX-
cept the latter had never made any prom
Uses TO him he had never asked him to
make any concessions one way or another.
He said he received a letter from Mr.. Her
rington sometime ago in which the latter
stated he expected to be a candidate. but
that he would not announce himself until
Col Lester returned from Washington.
Col. Lester says he replied and told him
10 go ahead and announce his candidacy,
If he wanted to, and TO do just as he
pleased in the matter. Under these cir
cumstances he said he could not see that
Mr.. Harrington had made him any prom
Uses.
The action Of the committee on We'd
nesday,, II it secures quorum to act at
all, viii be awaited with much interest.
II mas been claimed by Mr.. Harrington
and his supporters that the action of the
committee a its last meeting was illegal,
because there was not quorum present
IN person. The democrats of Emanuel,
Mr.. Herrington's county, passed some
resolutions at their mass meeting as
sorting that there was no legal meeting
OF the executive committee OF the First
congressional district, because only two
members OF the committee were present
in person, with a certain number of sa-
vannah lawyers, who were not members
Of the committee aforesaid, but who
claimed TO hold proxies from members Of
the committee. Another Of the whereases
in the resolutions states as there was
not a quorum of the committee present,
there was not a sufficient organization
10 pass upon proxies and hold large
The resolutions state that the demo-
Gratis of Emanuel do not, for these rea-
sons, recognize the order of the commit
tee calling the convention for June 10.
The second resolution requested the
chairman Of the executive committee to
call the committee together again and
take such action as will be equitable IN
the premises. The former call, it is stated,
was premature, as there was no existing
emergency for it. The sense of the meet
ing was stated TO be that the executive
committee should provide method where
by primary may be held in the several
counties Of the district on the day of the
state election, or some other convenient
time, whereby primary the claims CT
all democratic aspirants for congress may
be settled by vote Of the people.
The other portions of the resolutions
Endorsed free silver at l6 to !, and provid-
ed that a copy of the resolutions be sent
to Hon. G. B. Whatley, chairman Of the
executive committee The resolutions
were signed by Morris Dawson, chairman,
and j. L. McLemore, secretary.
As stated in the Morning News, the
democrats OF Tattnall county have also
passed resolutions on the subject, but
they have indorsed no one, and reques t
that the convention be postponed as
they state only in the interests of har-
mony. No other counties have taken
any action in the matter and it remains
to be seen whether the committee can
get a quorum at its meeting on Wednes-
day If II does not there will be no ac-
ton, and the convention Will take place
as scheduled
Mr.. Harrington desires a postponement
of the convention, as has been stated,
in order TO give him an opportunity TO
so before the people and state the claims
upon which he bases his candidacy.