Evening star., 1896-10-06
(GEORGlA'S STATE ELECTION
claim THAT Democrats VIII b Routed if
There is Fair Count. "
May Have an Important Bearing ON
the November COntest-Popu.
lists Will Obey Watson.

What Is thought to be trustworthy tnfor-
nation received here from Georgia Is to
the effect that the democrats will be con-
tented with almost any kind of ma
jority over the populists in the election to
be held tomorrow. 1t is even said that
If fair election Is held the democrats will
be routed.
Georgians in the city say that the demo-
cratic managers are already beginning to
claim that q majority Of 1900 for Atkin-
son will really be a great democratic VIC
tory in view of the opposition which the
party is experiencing. Two years ago Gov.
Atkinson had majority ever the populist
nominee of something like 10000. This year
the populists are strengthened in many
ways. They have strong nominees and
strong men speaking for them and man
aging their campaign. The populist party
in that state Is composed OF wealthy amt
brainy men, unlike the followers of the
party in some other states. Many Of the
heretofore brightest democrats in the
state have joined with the populists and
are fighting their old friends.
Outside of the large cities of Atlanta,
Savannah and Augusta it is said the popu-
lists have clear majority in the state.
The charge is made that the majorities
turned In for the democrats from those
of the democratic state chairman, Steve
Clay, who has managed the democratic
end of campaigns for rumber Of years.
What May Result.
The result of the election may have NO
particular bearing on the national elec-
ton unless it lis to show that Tom Wat
son has strength in his own state, and
tnat he has been badly treated by the
democratic national managers. although
there can come out Of the election state
of affairs possible in no other state in the
Union. The constitution Of the state pro-
vdes that If the electors of party dc
not receive a majority of all the votes cast
the election of electors shall be by the
legislature. This, it is thought. would no,
lose the state to Bryan, as the democrats
and populists are each supposed to be FOL
him, but no one knows what might hap
pen. In case the populistS win the legls-
lature in Wednesdays election they would
have it in their power to select the electors
of the state. They might stand firm b5
Bryan, but Tom Watson, If he gets 1t In his
head by that time that Bryan was against
him, might make serious trouble. He alb
solutely dominates the populists Of the
state. AS much as the populists believe
in silver. it is believed that they would
If they control the legislature do exactly
what Watson said. If he wanted then
to elect electors against Bryan and II
favor of some other silver man they would
do so. Watson is said to be getting more
sour each day.
Democrats VIII Have the Legislature
While the populists may carry the state
they will hardly get the legislature. The
democrats have large majority of hold
over senators, and this may save them
1t will save them the senatorship as wei
as the electoral vote of the state Al
chances point to the legislature having
to elect the electors unless there Is fusiol
after the state election, which Is not prob
able The democrats cannot get majorit!
over the populists, republicans and gol'
democrats, who have an electoral ticket II
the field. Prominent gold democrats esti
mate that they will cast 10000 votes IL
| November This means that number takel
away from the democratic ranks, ant
leaves the democrats and pcpulists abou
evenly matched in numbers.