The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-11-06
STRUGGLE FOR THE SENATE.
THE STRENGTH or THE CANDI-
DATES STILL UNKNOWN.


on as Not quite so bright as at
First, But His Friends Declare He
VIII BE EIected-Lewis Gains
Strength-Pat WaIsh's Attitude in
the Fight-Evans Taking an Ac-
tive Part
Atlanta. Ga, Nov. 5.-Talk and rumors
came thick and fast in the senatorial
campaign to-day, but tonight left the
situation practically the same as it was
upon the reassembing Of the legislature
yesterday, so far as actual conditions go.
All the candidates are still blufiing.
None Of them appear to know just how
much strength they have, and all are pur-
suing the policy of claiming everything
In sight. Gov Atkinsons friends, al
though there was some apparent signs Of
weakening in the governors case to-day
continue to declare thai he will be elected
If any of the candidates gained strength
to-day it was Mr. Lewis. Upon the sur
face there was preponderance Of Lewis
talk, and for a while it seemed as if he
would get a long lead of all the others
in the anti-Atkinson field. Several polls
of the members were made by the oppo-
sition to the governor to-day, and those
who made them all claim that the result
shows an overwhelming sentiment against
another election for governor, and, con-
sequently, indicating the defeat of the
governor for the Senate. There is no con-
cealing the fact that the sentiment
against another gubernatorial election has
greatly increased since the return of the
members from their homes. but the gov
ernor's friends claim that they are over
coming this feeling. and that by the time
the caucus meets on Monday they will
have things in swing, as they had it be-
fore the election recess.
This morning the opposition to the
governor brought out statement signed
by Col Buck, the republican easy boss
of the state in which he gave it as his
belief that If there should be a vacancy
in the executive chair by the election of
Gov. Atkinson to the Senate the republi-
cans and populists would form a COM
bination that would defeat the democrats
and put a fusion candidate in the office.
Following up the same line, statements
from the leading populists in the legisla-
ture were given to show that they can
elect the governor in case of a vacancy
and thereby injure Gov. Atkinson's sena-
torial prospects.
The Atkinson men at once set out to
answer these warnings from the republi-
can and populist bosses and they did it
by saying that if there was any chance
for fusion candidate to be elected gov
ernor, as Boss Buck and the rest said,
they would be the last people to give
out statements that would hurt Atkin-
sons chances to go to the Senate. They
would want him to be elected so that they
might have the opportunity to elect their
man.
This kind of talk in reply was circulated
vigorously and had its effect. 1t may be
that the governors friends can convince
the members that there would be no dan
ger to- the party at all in another election
and little trouble as we'll and win the
senatorship in the end, but there will
have to be a change in sentiment TO ac-
complish this.
At one time to-day the opposition was
so sure that the anti-election sentiment
was so overwhelming that they were dis
GUESSING the withdrawal of Gov. Atkinson
from the senatorial race and making pre-
dictions as to Who would get his support.
Gen. Clement A. Evans is taking an active
hand in the campaign Speaking of the
situation to-day he said: Il think it very
poor tactics on the part of the opposition
to the governor to attempt to parade the
supposed weakness on the part of their
own party. When / was in the war, I
tried always to encourage my troops in.
stead of discouraging them. Even when
we were largely outnumbered ! always
told them, boys, we can whip 'em,' ana
with that feeling we generally did. But
! do not think that the democratic party
would be in any danger if another election
should be held right now. We are good for
$1,000 majority in the state, and while 1
have placed any ambition aside, and not
heretofore favored another election, it
was neither from any antagonism to Gov.
Atkinson nor from any fear of danger to
the party. On the contrary, IL would Of
fer an opportunity to unity the party and
heal old wounds, If some good man was
selected without opposition, and we HAD
an old time majority of $4,000 to $1,000.
Gen. Evans spent the day at the capi-
tol mingling with the members and later
was at the Kinball. He is throwing the
weight Of his influence In favor of Gov
Atklnson's candidacy The sentiment in
favor of him for the goVernorship, is stfll
growing, and he is receiving many letters
from all over the state in regard to the
matter. From these letters, he SAYS he is
informed that other candidates are Al
ready in the field in search of support for
the nomination in case of a vacancy. The
most prominent of these aspirants, so far
as the generals correspondence has shown
are President of the Senate Berner and ex-
Treasurer Hardeman Gen. Evans son in
law, Judge Eve of Augusta, also arrived
upon the scene of action to-day and is
working to the best Of his ability for the
election of Gov Atkinson. Solicitor Henry
Cohen Of Augusta, also came in to-day on
the same mission. TO offset the activity OF
the governors friends, ex-senator Pat
rick Walsh Of Augusta was pressed into
service by Capt. Howell some time ago
but it appears he was in no hurry to get in.
to the game. His failure to respond was the
occasion OF a good deal of comment to-day
on account Of the fact that Capt Howell
who was a member of the last legislature
and the leader of the Walsh campaign fol
the Senate, at the last moment deserted
his friend and wheeled into the Bacon col.
umn. The two have continued to be friends
however, and Mr.. Walsh announced to.
day that he was advocating Capt Howell
for all he was worth and would stick (
him 10 the last ditch Judge Lawton Miller
OF Macon, who managed Senator Bacon's
campaign two years ago is also here
iaking an active hand in the behalf Of
Capt. Howell.
BEALER IN THE PULPIT.