The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-10-22
WILL SOON GET OUT TO WORK.
COL. LESTER,S HEALTH AND
STRENGTH RAPIDLY RETURNING.

He Regrets His Inability to Take
Part in the Campaign, But Is Com
fdent of Re-EIectiOn-His Mind
Never Affected by His Attack, Des-
pite Reports to the COntrary-Has
Been Able to Give His Attention
to His Private Affairs Ever Since
the Day After His Attack and Has
Kept Fully Posted on the Cam
paiGn-His Estimate of Bryan.
The many friends of Congressman Rufus
e. Lester will be glad to know that he
is gradually regaining his health and
strength after his recent serious attacks
of illness, and that at the present rate
of improvement his friends in the district
may soon hope to see him among them
drives every day.
1t was feared at one time that his vocal
organs were seriously affected, but this
trouble is now passing away, and his
voice will be heard as usual in the next
congress, the F'ifty-fifth, advocating the
interests of his district. To a man OF
Col. Testers active temperament and ac-
customed to directing his own affairs, his
enforced idleness at this period is most
aggravating. He wants to be out and at
work among his constituents
"If I have to stand this sort of thing
much longer shall go crazy" he said TO
a Morning News reporter, who called ON
him yesterday.
Notwithstanding his indisposition, Col
Lester keeps thoroughly posted on the
campaign and is in constant communica-
ton with his friends. He was never quite
as i'll, he says, as the doctors made him
out to be. He was able to sign checks
and other papers the morning after his at
tack. and has tended to his own corre-
spondence almost ever since. OF late he
has discussed legal matters with his part
ner, Mr.. Ravenel, and given his opinion
on some intricate matters of law.
Col. Lester is perfectly confident of his
reelection. He was asked about the talk
of fusion of the populists and republic
cans on Mr.. Doyle, and what he thought
would be the result.
"Oh, yes, there might be something of
that kind he said, though he did not
seem to anticipate it, The full vote will
be polled. Mr.. Doyle may get few white
votes from personal friends, but l have
no FEARS on tnat score. The negro vote
win be split, and hope to get some of
1t, as usual"
Col. Lester said that he would like very
much to get out among his friends and
take part in the campaign, but in his
present condition anything of the kind
would be impossible. He was asked what
he thought about a Bryan-Sewall-Leste
rally in Savannah before the election. He
approved the idea at once, and said: 81
should like to take part in it,"
Col. Lester takes a keen interest In the
campaign of Mr.. Bryan. HE has made
wonderful campaign said he, land
certainly deserves election. sincerely
hope he will be elected. He is a noble
man, and 1 firmly believe that if elected,
his record will be second to that of no
President who has occupied the white
house since Washington"
Col. Lester was very intimately ac-
quainted with Mr.. Bryan while the latter
was in congress, and formed there a very
high estimate of him, which he feels is
justified by his subsequent career. Col
Testers friends have the satisfaction of
knowing that If he is not taking part in
this campaign 1t is not because his heart
is not in 1t, and they will work all the
harder to roll up big majority for him
on Nov. 3.