The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-03-07
DAILY, $40 A YEAR.
CENTS A COPY.
WEEKLY 2-TIMES-A-WEEK 81 A YEAN
ATKINSON NOT TO RUN AGAIN.
THE GOVERNOR APT TO RETIRE
FROM POLITICS.

business Position Carrying Large
Remuneration said to Have Beem
offered Him-Hfs Retirement Like
Iy to Cause the Defeat of the one
Convention Scheme - Probable
Candidates for the GOvernOrshfp.
Atlanta, Ca. March 6.-The greatest DO
litical sensation OF the year came to
the surface here to-day In the shape OF
a well authenticated report that Gov.
Atkinson will retire from the executive
office at the expiration OF his present term.
1t is expected that he Will inform the
state executive committee of his deter
mination not to be a candidate for gov
ernor again this fall when It meets to-
morrow. so as to give the committee the
opportunity to fix the date of the state
convention or convention with a view to
the selection of a gubernatorial candidate
to succeed him.
With a contest on between a half dozen
or moro candidates for the glIbernatorial
nomination It would hardly do to CONSOLE
date the state conventions. which ap-
pears now to be the cut and dried plan
of the committee.
The probability of the retirement Of
Gov. Atkinson when he could have an
other term in the executive Office without
the slightest opposition will create a.
sensation throughout the state. The an
nouncement is all the more surprising
when 1t Is stated on unquestionable au-
thority that the governor is not consid-
ering retirement from the executive Office
with the intention OF becoming a candi-
date for the United States Senate. This
move would not be regarded as SO much
out OF a political improbahility, for a week
ago stories to this effect we're floating
around thick and fast According TO the
q tom . Nl..
tention, he is to leave the governorship
at the end OF his first term to accept
a business offer, which will remove him
from the active line OF state politics. for
short time at least, although, according
TO the Information Of the Morning News
correspondent, II is no part OF the gov
ernors intention to permanently retire
from the political arena.
While the statement that Gov Atkinson
has about made up his mind to relinquish
his Office after serving out one term, and
VIII make an announcement to the public
10 that effect, IN a short Time is not Off
News correspondent has the information
from a source that is fully reliable. IL Is
also partially confirmed by the governor
himself. who was interviewed on the
subject this afternoon at the executive
office When asked as to the correctness
or the report, Gov. Atkinson replied, af-
ter weighing the matter thoroughly In
his mind, that II was true that he has
under consideration business offer
which, If he accepts II, will cause him to
retire from office at the end OF his pres
ent term. He has not yet fully made up
MS mind, however, and for that reason
declined TO officially confirm or deny the
report
not intend to be a candidate for governor
again this fall the state committee, which
meets here tomorrow for the purpose
Of calling the state conventions, should
The governor said that he thought so
too. and would think II over"
Gov. Atkinson did not care TO state
the nature of the business proposition
which he has under consideration, but IL
Is understood from one who is somewhat
familiar with the matter that It is such
an offer as does not come to a man,
governor though he be, very often. Il
would be highly remuneratiVe and offer
a future that would be tempting to almost
any man. According to this authority,
the governor, who is not a wealthy man
by any means, considers that IL Is his
duty to his family to accept the offer
so that he may lay by something for
a rainy day. He has not found very much
money In politics, and has now arrived at
that time of life when, with a large and
expensive family, he considers it about
time TO relinquish the game of politics
for while at least, while he looks after
his business interests.
Gov. Atkinson's retirement from the
Head of the state ticket this fall would
make great stir in politics. II is certain
that there would be a scramble for the
nomination between a half dozen or more
aspirants. On account OF the confusion
that would ensue, IT is likely that strong
pressure will be brought to bear upon
Gov. Atkinson to prevent him from carry
ing out his intention to retire, If he
finally makes up his mind to do so.
AS the field is sized up at present, those
who would probably be in the race for
the nomination are Hon. Steve Clay
chairman of the state executive commits
tee; Hon. II. G. Mitchell of Thomasville.
ex-president of the state Senate; Col. Bob
Hardeman, state treasurer, who has all
ready announced that he will not be a
candidate for that Office again this fall.
ex-senator Patrick Walsh and probably
Hon. W. Fl. Venable. president Of the last
state Senate