Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-04-02
ssIITH-CRIsP DEBATES.

Importance of the Money Debate in
Georgia.
Special Dispatch to The Evening Star.
ATLANTA, Ca, April 2.-Secretary Smith
and ex-Speaker Charles F. Crisp feel that
their discussion Of the money question has
more than a state meaning. President
Cleveland is understood to be looking to his
Secretary to hold Georgia in the sound
money ranks, and to save the delegation to
Chicago. as he did four years ago, when
tho odds seemed to be against him. 1t was
the personal work of Mr.. Smith in holding
Georgia for Mr. Cleveland against a power
full Hill combine that made him Secretary
of the Interior.
Seven Joint debates have been arranged
for, covering period of two weeks II
Judge Crisp does not sustain his side of the
question with great ability, the silver cause
will suffer a great setback in Georgia. and
the ex-Speaker will fail to reach the Sen
ate, for which he Is the only formally an
nounced candidate.
Secretary Smith, who had been regarded
as a candidate, stated in his correspondence
leading up to this discussion that he is not
a candidate, and does not desire to be one.
Fleming DuBignon, a prominent corpora
ton attorney, and ex-president of the state
senate. has stated repeatedly that he would
be in the race, but he has never formal
~ declared. He is a sound money man. but
his friends suspect that others who would
contest with Crisp, are anxious to have Du-
Bignon make the fight, and then, at the last
minute, enter the race as dark horses.
The financial question will be the only
issue in the state this campaign. Secretary
Smith talked state banks to the legislature
last fall, but the voters are sticking to the
one issue.
The masses of both the silver and sound
money factions want a straight-out fight.
Many Of the politicians prefer a straddle or
compromise Of some kind. Whichever it is,
the populists and republicans will profit
thereby.
Plans of Republicans.
The republicans never have been so active
in Georgia since reconstruction days. They
will put out full state ticket for the first
time in years. They will run candidates for
the legislature and for Congress all over
the state, whereas, heretofore, they have
not maintained their organization for state
campaigns in more than a dozen counties.
The truth Is Georgia is by no means dead
sure for the democratic party next fall. The
republicans and populists cut the demo-
cratic majority of 71,00O for governor in
1892 down to $4,000 In 1884. There was a
total loss to the democrats of $4,000 votes
in two years. This year further decrease
Of 1900 would lose the state to the democ-
racy. The republicans, If they do not fuse
with the populists, stand a good show to
carry at least one congressional district, the
first, and, II they fuse, they may get three
from the democrats, the first, fourth and
tenth.
Tom johnson, a son of Ex-Governor Her.
schel V. johnson, who ran for Vice Pres,-
dent with Stephen A. Douglass in 1860, will
probably be the republican candidate for
governor. He lives in Savannah, and has
money and a good pull in the republican
party. He could probably he collector of
the port Of Savannah IL Mckinley is elected,
but he wants to fill the chair which his dis
tinguished father honored. although the
salary is scarcely half as much as the fees
Of the collector of the port
Interest i'm the Debate.
Populists and republicans are therefore,
deeply Interested In the coming joint de-
bate on the financial question between the
member of the cabinet and ex-Speaker of the
House The debate is sure to lead to more
intense fractional spirit in the democratic
party. and to widen the breach which al
ready exists In Georgia