The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-05-01
PELF MIXED WITH POLITICS.
CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATES AND
Az EDITOR INVOLVED.

Allegations That Editorial Express
siOns of the Lee County Enterprise
Were Printed for Monetary Con-
sideration-Judge Fort and Mr.
Lewis Accuse Each other Of Try
ing to Control the Paper.
Cordele Ca. April 3.-.rhe speech OF
Judge Allen Fort candidate for congress,
an the opera house last night was a clear
and convincing one. He took up the mat
ter Of newspaper corruption. and handled
it 20 the satisfaction OF his audience.
Saturday night Mr. Lewis. Judge Forts
opponent. made a speech here, in which
he charged that James 4. Blvins. presi-
dent of the First National Bank of Cor
dele. had started a paper in Wilcox coun-
t. in the interest of Judge Fort. Mr..
Bivins, who was present, denied that he
had started a paper for Judge Fort. or
had used any money in the campaign cor
ruptly. He charged Mr.. Lewis. however,
with having corrupted the press through
out the district wherever il was pos
sble. He cited the case of the Lee County
Enterprise. charging that Mr. Lewis had
paid the editor of that paper $50 for si-
lence after il had declared for Judge
Fort. Mr. Lewis did not deny the charge
made by Mr.. Bivins. but made counter
charge that Mr.. Bivins had attempted TO
buy siandelous statement from the edit
or Of the Enterprise. in regard to Mr..
Lewis and that he (BivinD had offered
$3.50 for the statement.
Mr. Bivins emphaticany denied that he
had made any such attempt and chaueng-
ed Mr. Lewis 20 produce any proof he
might have 10 substantate the charge.
Mr.. Lewis said he would get q statement
from the editor of the Enterprise which
would establish the truth of his charge
"a "a a
paper signed by 5. X. BlantOn, In which
IL is stated that Mr.. Lewis friends gave
him money for his silence, but that Judge
Fort had also attempted to buy his intiu-
ence with money.
Last night Judge Fort produced a letter
from the editor in question. written some
time since. in which the facts of the case
are set cut he also produced documen-
tary evidence of other kinds showing that
he had always kept aloof from any cor
rupting methods. although he had the
chance 10 buy the papers influence, and
that Mr.. Lewis had bought it outright.
The congressional campaign between the
candidates promises 20 be exciting and in
teresting and the friends of both expect to
learn satisfactory Of the merits Of both
when the convention meets. County poll
tics is also demanding the interesting at
tention Of prospective candidates.
Atlanta, Ga, April 3O-Judge Allen Fort
of Americas, candidate for congress from
the Third district, was in the city to-
day. While here he prepared a lengthy
statement to the public in regard TO the
senatorial charges and Counter-chargcs
that have been made concerning the cor
rupuon of men in the congressional cam
paign.
Judge Fort denies in toto the charge by
s. r. Blanton. editor of the Lee County
Enterprise, that he offered TO buy his sup
port by over-hidding Hon. 5. g. Lewis
who had already paid him $50 for his pa
pers neutrality. He says Blanton made
overtures TO him to sell out more than
once, but that he repudiated them He
publishes a letter written him by Blan.
ton, which puts the editor In a very un-
comfortable position Blanton pleads his
poverty for accepting Lewis bride ana
tells Judge Fort that he is loyal TO him az
heart anyway and that he viii be elected
without the Lee County Enterprise
Judge Fort says that he loaned Blau-
ton 500 several months ago. before he an
nounced for congress, upon his request
but this had nothing to do with the cam
paign.
Col. J. +. Bivins of Cordele. who is also
mixed up in the charge of corruptIon also
mas a red-hot card on Editor Blanton
Incorporated in Judge Forts statement
the NhOie being an exceedingly lively niece
OF campaign literature. Editor Rianton
ny contesslng TO the receipt of $500 hush
money from Mr.. Lewis and borrowing SO
from Judge Fort, seems to be in a very
bad plight, and viii have hard rime
keeping cool in Lee county for some time
10 come. -''e