The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-07-28
WONT run AGAINST LESTER.
Mr.. LehlSen's Position as Republican
EIectOr From the First District.


EIectOr From the First District.
Mr.. W. r. Leaken. the elector on the
republican ticket from the First congress
sioual district, stated to a representa-
tive OF the Morning News yesterday that
the report that he is going TO run against
Col. Rufus z. Lester for congress is en-
tirely false. and had no foundation what
ever.
Il did not go to Macon" Mr. Leaken
said, "as member Of the state central
committee, as / have never been appointed
on that committee l knew nothing of
any proposition TO adopt an entirely white
electoral ticket except that such was
the desire Of many democrats here and
in Thomasville and elsewhere in Geor-
gia. 1t was suggested to me that If such
q thing could be carried out, one great
objection on the part Of many sound
money democrats to voting for Mckinley
would be removed. They did not want
10 be handicapped by having the alterna-
tive OF voting for a mixed ticket
81 went to Macon on legal business in
reference to several cases now pending
and new matters coming up, having re-
ceived a telegram from Judge Speer that
he could meet me at the court house on
Saturday. On the train going up were
quite number of prominent gem
l.
f. q. duBignon and others / remained
with them until the middle of the night
or later, but Col johnson sat up all night
telling stories, and ne was so Interested
In the situation that he was out on the
platform early in morning smoking his
meerschaum before breakfast.
while in Macon l was invited to meet
a number Of gentlemen OF the republican
s s05 in sssS col Bucks ks room;
views as to the advisability OF
putting out a white electoral ticket. i
said that / considered It the only hope
under the present state Of affairs for
large vote for Mckinley, and after con-
siderable discussion, II was decided to
see whether the suggestion could be car
ried out, the majority Of the committee
being colored.
THE question was asked me whether
would serve as an elector from the First
district IL a white ticket was named
among which number was mentioned Gen
Longstreet, Maj. Hanson, Maj Smythe OF
Atlanta, Mr.. G. Downing Of Brunswick
and others. l answered that l would, and
the next notice i received of the matter
was in the Macon Evening News to the
effect that had been chosen as an cleo
tor from this district"
Mr.. Leaken stated that he desires no
office whatever and that he would take
no part in any local campaigns, as has
been his position for years. He believes,
however that unless the sound money
democrats nominate ticket, Mckinley
Will poll large vote in Georgia than peo-
pie have any idea Of
He has already been informed that a
sound money club will be organized in
Savannah by democrats, without regard
TO local or state political issues, and that
he will be invited to be a member and
talk upon those issues. He has received
many congratulations from sources I'M
expected, and from parties who, had not
this stand been taken. would never have
favored the republican ticket.
Mr.. Leaken says most positively that
he is not in favor of any interference in
local politics He is a national republic
can, he says, but not a politician, and
has not taken this position for revenue
only, as he is a protectionist. His grand
father was a whig, and his father is a
consistent democrat in Maryland, while
all the other members of his family are
democrats.
The time has come, he says, when,
without opposing the sentiments and po-
sitions of his democratic friends, he can
place himself on record for Mckinley and
Hobart and sound money.