The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-11-15
JUDGE NORWOOD IN THE RACE.
HE ANNOUNCES HIS CANDIDACY
FOR UNITED STATES SENATOR.

His Name VIII BE Formally Placed
Before the Democratic Caucus To-
mOrrOw-SuppOrted Gov. Atkinson
Until the Latter withdrew From
the Field-He Expects the Support
Has Sized Up the Situation and Is
Confident of Success.
Savannah may furnish the next United
States senator. When the caucus of the
democratic members of the general assem-
bly, recOnvenes in Atlanta tomorrow, the
name of Hon. Thomas NJ Norwood will be
presented. The nomination may be made
by one of the representatives from Chat
ham or it may be made by one of Judge
Norwood's friends from the interior.
Judge Norwood made the first public an
nouncement of his candidacy yesterday on
his return from Atlanta where he has
spent the last several days aiding Gov At
kinson in his candidacy for the Senate.
When Gov. Atkinson decided to with
draw from the race Judge Norwood made
up his mind to enter He so informed Gov.
Atkinson and also made the same state
ment to one or two personal friends. No
public announcement of his intention to
enter the race was made until yesterday,
however.
When seen in his office, in the court
house, by Morning News reporter. Judge
Norwood talked freely of his candidacy
in an informal manner, but had little to
say for publication. He did not care to
give his opponents any handle against him
in the fight which he is about to make.
The judge was in the best of spirits, and
seemed full of confidence.
when 1 saw that Gov Atkinson was
not receiving the support which he had
counted upon" said Judge Norwood, 81
went to Atlanta to give him my assist
ance in the race. have been in Atlanta
since Tuesday, for that purpose. The gov
ernor was my candidate. 1 felt that
owed him my support, and I gave it to
him. The argument of another state cleo
ton which would be the result of the
governors election to the senatorship
proved too effective. Many members of
the Legislature, who would have given
him their support under other circum-
stances, did not feel that they could do
so in the face of protests from their con-
stituents against being forced into an
other election. The, governor announced
his withdrawal from the race to me yes
terday morning. I then stated
to the governor that if he withdrew 1
should enter the race He replied that /
was at liberty to do so.''
Mr.. Norwood was told that his friends
here had expected for several days the an.
nouncement that he had entered the race.
My name would have been submitted
before now" he replied "if Gov. Akin
son had been out of the way. Many men,
bers of the legislature have stated to me
during the last several days that they
would have voted for me in preference
to the candidates before them, had l
been in the race"
Mr.. Norwood was asked if he had been
assured of the support of the Chatham
delegation, and replied that he expected
the support of the delegation, but was not
in position to make any announcement
as to their intention as yet. 1t is pretty
well understood, however, that the dele
cation will give him their support and it
is expected that one of the delegation
will place him in nomination.
Judge Norwood's record politically is
such as to place him in perfect accord with
the majority of the legislature and conse-
quently the objection which has prevented
several other men of wel-known promf-
nence from entering the race, does not ap-
ply to him. He has been prominent politi-
cally for so long as to need no introduction
to the legislature or to the people of the
state. His ability as a jurist is well
known and upon constitutional questions
it can hardly be doubted that he is the best
equipped of the several gentlemen who
have been mentioned for the office A
stronger champion of the theories of
finance and government which he espouses
could not be found in the state His pre-
vious service of six years in the Senate
besides two terms in the House, gives him
valuable prestige in his candidacy
Judge Norwood did not enter into any
discussion of his prospects or the sources
from which he expects to draw his support
Having spent several days at the capital
he has sized up the situation thoroughly
and is confident that the moment for en-
tering the race is an opportune one He
is of the opinion that the majority of the
legislature have no intention of electing
any one of the gentlemen whose names
have been before them to the senatorship
He bases this belief on the fact that when
ever a candidates vote reached a high
figure in the caucus, instead of increasing
on the next ballot and giving him the
coveted prize his vote Immediately fell off
THE senatorial bouquet" he said "has
been cast at the feet of each one of these
gentlemen, but as in the old farce there
is always a string attached to it, and
the bouquet is Withdrawn before it can
be picked up by the eager candidate"
Judge Norwood left last night for his
home in Liberty county, but expects to
leave for Atlanta tonight.
An Important Difference