The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-09-06
HOW ARE YOU GOING TO VOTE?
A QUESTION ASKED OF FOUR
COUNTY OFFICIALS.

A Committee Writes Letters Notify
ing Them That There Is an A. II.
A. Organization in Savannah, and
Asking What They Are Going to
Do About 1.-THE County officials
Say Practically They Don't Know
That They VIII Do AnythIng-The
Letters sharp and TO the Point.
"where do you stand, and how are you
going to vote?" are questions that the
Liberal Club has just asked of four of
the county officers.
What business is it of yours?" was
practically the reply, though both letters
were couched in very respectful and
courteous language.
The four of the county officials in ques-
ton are Sheriff John T. Roman, Judge
Hampton l.. Fenill, ordinary; Tax Col
lector ]. ]. MCGOWAN and Clerk of the
Superior Court J. K. P. Carr
All of them received letters yesterday
from the Liberal Club, and signed by
committee OF that organization, or at
least, of one of its main committees, ask
ing them the plain out and out question
as to where they stand in local politics.
No particular reason was given as 10
why such a statement from them was
wanted.
The committee which sent the let
tiers to the officials is composed of
Judge A. III. MacDonell, chairman,
Messrs. NJ. A. O'Byrne and Abe S. Guck-
enheimer. Each of the letters was signed
by these gentlemen, and though the let
tiers were not marked confidential, they
seem to have been considered so by the
county officials who received them, and
not one of them would talk on the sub
ject, except to admit that such letters had
been received.
The fact that the letters had been sent
became generally known around the city
yesterday, and in local political circles the
matter was the talk of the day. No copy
Of the letter could be secured, but it was
learned that they referred almost entirely
to the political organization known as the
American Protective Association, and ask
ed pointed questions with regard to the
attitude of the officials toward that or
ganization.
The letters called attention to the fact
that there is to be an election next
month. They also noted the fact that there
is such an organization in the city as the
American Protective Association. The an
nouncements to this effect were followed
up by the pertinent but positive query as
to how each of these officials stood with
regard to the issue. In the first place it
was asked If they were members of the
A. p A. Then the committee wanted to
know whether they favored that organiza-
ton, whether they ever contributed any
money to its support or its campaign fund
r1-,4N 1aI to
support any candidate that might be
placed in the field through the influence of
the A i. A. or who might be supported by
that organization.
OF course, such a communication puz-
zled these officials no little. They were
somewhat further troubled by the fact
that the letters each asked for a definite
answer by o'clock in the afternoon.
The matter was undoubtedly discussed
among them to a considerable extent, and
1t is understood some replies were finally
framed, each of the officials acting for
himself, of course. so far as can be
learned, the replies merely stated that
the letter has been received, and while
the recipients were not members of the
organization alluded to- they had no re-
plies to make to the questions asked, as
there was no apparent reason why they
should answer them.
These replies will undoubtedly be con-
sidered somewhat indefinite, and II is
doubtful if the committee will be satisfied
with such statements 1t is stated that
only three OF the officials have replied to
the letters and that one has said he would
not notice 1t at all. Although it has been
rumored at various times that some such
step would be taken, it was supposed it
would come from the Citizens Club, and
not from the faction opposed to it, The
Citizens Club has always denied, how
in via
AS is well known, all of the county Of
ficials mentioned have been prac-
tieally Independent in politics. They have
gone before the people of the county and
asked for their support, and not for the
support of any one faction. The
matter will undoubtedly be looked on as
one of the sensations of local politics, and
everybody will be curious to know what
is going to come out of it.
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