Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-08-11
PROHIBITION IN GEORGIA
The Pops" and Teetotalers Fuse on tn,
State Ticket.
Republicans Hold Balance OF Power
Tom Watson Sticks to His Vice
Presidential Nomination.

SPECIAL Dispatch to The Evening Star.
ATLANTA. Ca. August 1.-THE demo-
cratic party has the hardest fight ahead
of it in Georgia that 1t has had in twenty
years. The populists have fused with the
prohibi:ionists and dominated one of the
best political stump speakers In the south
for governor. Seaborn A. Wright of Rome.
II the republicans do not put out state
ticket, Wright will get a large part of the
43,"o votes which that party casts in state
elections. Chairman Buck is talking about
calling republican convention to nominate
a state ticket. but if his party should do this
the democrats will win, hands down. Other
wise the result will be extremely doubtful.
All the democratic leaders recognize the
danger. and the republicans are being in
spired to run ticket They have not done
this in years. and since the populist party
came into existence the republicans have
voted largely with them on state issues
The republicans and the populists can poll
about i1.WO votes each. The normal demo-
cratic strength is about 10000 votes. This
fusion between the pops and the pro-
hib!tiOnlSts means that prohibition will he
inc issue in the coming campaign. 1t is re
ported that Sam Jones, the evangelist: Sam
small. lecturer and preacher: DR.. Gambre!l,
noted Baptist divine: Dr. Warren Gambler
the ablest Methodist in the state and presi,
dent of Emory College, will all take the
stump for Wright. who is himself fiery
speaker; Walter b. Hill, an influential law
yer OF Macon. has declared for Wright. The
fustonists hope to array all the Methodist
ana baptist ministers on their side and
WIN that Influence thousands of democrats
Weuid vote for Wright against Governor
w. T. Atkinson. who has been nominal ed
to succeed himself.
AtkinsOn's Gains and LOSSES.
Governor Atkinson has won over a great
many democrats who were disaffected two
friends who supported him in his first race
lie mas had many appointments to make
and lii selecting judges for Savannah. Ma
con and Rome disregarded the recommen-
cations of the bars of those cities and took
men who were unpopular. Democratic
leaders from Newton, Putnam Osie,horpe
Randolph. Bib and Chatham counties
" no ware here today, said that there would
be marked falling Off of democratic
strength in their sections on the prohibit
ton issue. The counties named are in diff
iere2t parts of the state, and, therefore, it
is reasonable to suppose that they reflect
sentiment all over Georgia.
On the other hand, the liquor men are
alarmed and are promising to take a hand
IN the campaign. They can do the most
effective work in the cities and towns. and
say that they will see that large majcrities
Tor the democratic ticket ere sent up from
Macon. Columbus. Savannah. Rome, Ath-
ems. Augusta, Atlanta and Albany
There was some talk last week after the
popuiist convt ntion adjourned about fusion
between the democrats ard populists on the
national ticket. The advances were made
by the democrats. No doubt is felt about
Bryan and Sewall carrying Georgia over
Bryan and Watson and Mckinley and Ho-
bart combined, but 1t was thought that II
some amicahle fusion could be arranged be-
tween the democrats and populists in Geor-
eid Ii would have good effect in other
states. The truth is however, that the
democrats OF Georgia, as rule. are OPP
posed to fusion. They believe that they can
carry the state anyway for Bryan and Sew
all and are not inclined to treat with the
Watson people.
Tom WntsOn'H Condition.
Mr.. Watson stated to The Stars repre-
sentative that he would consent to fusion
only on one condition. the ore named in
his speeches. SewalTs withdrawal Some of
mis- friends thought that 1t might be pos
sible later to get him to consent to fusion
in some Of the doubtful western states
Their idea was to have Bryan md Sc vail
run in the north and east and In safe
southern states. and let Bryan and Watson
run in the safe populist states of the west
and divide up the doubtful states, like
Indiana. Illinois and Iowa. according to
the vote cast two years ago.
The populist campaign manager, John
Cunningham, Is here looking for headuuar-
ters today.
The congressional convention of the elev-
enth Georgia district meets today to nom
mate a representative. Major j. c. Black
has positively declined denomination. The
place has been offered to Beykin Wright
of Augusta. and he has declined It., on the
ground that his health would not permit
him to make a campaign. Ex-Speaker VIM
H. Fleming OF the general assembly will
proDabl be nominated. Former State SEN
ator, c. H. Ellington will be nominated
by the populists to make the race which
Tom Watson run four times. Ellington Is
a sincere popul.st, but has none of Wat
sons talents,