The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-10-13
WHAT WILL JUDGE GEIGER DO?
WILL NOT COMMIT HIMSELF ON
CHATHAM COUNTY AFFAIRS.

borne's FavOr-Says He Must Hear
Both sides Before He Votes on Any
Local Legislation Judge Nor
wood Says He Is Not n Candidate
for the supreme Court Bench-An
Effort TO Change the Status of the
city COurt-A Bill to BE Introduced
to Repeal the Act Prohibiting One
Man From Holding More Than One
Omoe.
senator-elect W. w. Gelger, who is to
represent the First senatorial district in
| the coming legislature, was in the city
| for several hours yesterday. and while
here, was interviewed by several of the
| politicians who are seeking to carry
things their way this fall.
From all indications, however, Senator
Geiger is not one of the carrying
kind. It is very evident that he is going
to carry things his way so far at least,
as he is concerned. He has put himself
aloof from any individual politician or
clique. and intends, according to his own
Interpretation of the local situation, to
decide the case on its merits. But Judge
Geiger is both judge and jury. He must
first give his charge, then receive a YER
dict, and render a judgment in accord
ance Herewith. This will no doubt be a
pretty hard matter to do especially as
he has both factions after him, and ac-
cordlng to his view of the case, the two
sides about counterbalance each other.
From what Judge Geiger said, however.
just as his train for Bryan county was
about leaving, the conclusion was drawn
that he is inclined to favor Mr.. w. w.
Osborne's candidacy for solicitor general.
He did not say so. but he seemed to be
inclined that way.
THE Liberal Club candidates." he said,
were elected by a good majority They
are in favor of Mr.. Frasers candidacy.
That would seem to indicate that the peo-
pie are in his favor. But l am told that
the majority of the members of the bar
favor Mr.. Osborne, and that, of course,
carries great deal of weight with it. 1
should say those facts about counterbal-
ance each other"
NO" Judge Geiger replied, when asked
If he had seen the Endorsements; but
1 was told by Mr.. duBlgnon that the ma
jority of the members of the bar favored
Mr. Osborne. have not taken simply
the evidence from Chatham county.
have gone into my own county and else
there how they stood in the matter, and
find that the great majority say Here's
a man that's been in there eight years. and
we think it's time there should be a
change l don't know but that 1 agree
with them to a certain extent. l don't
think any man should hold Office too
| long. At the same time the voice of the
entire circuit must cut some figure, though
/ do not consider as especially important
the Endorsement of grand juries. l shall
give the matter due consideration, how
ever, and will act as l think will best
suit the people whom 1 represent"
Judge Geiger was asked what he would
do with regard to the contemplated re-
peal of the commission bills and other
| local legislation in Chatham county.
Il have never given those subjects any
particular thought" he replied. II have
/ not read the bills now on the statute
| books and l don't know just how things
stand. But there is one thing certain. I
! will not vote to repeal those bills simply
! because the Liberal Club wants them re-
| pealed, nor will vote the other way sim
/ ply because the Citizen Club passed them
and wants them to stay there. 1 must
be shown a reason for whatever action
| is contemplated. l will hear both sides of
the question, and l will act accordingly"
Judge Geiger deprecated the fact that
there were such strong differences be-
tween the democrats of Chatham county.
/ He said he had not made up his mind
| with reference to matters in connection
with Chathams politics, but when he did
| so, he said, he would endeavor to serve
the people interested to the best of his
| ability.
The local political situation is develop
ing several other features which may be
| of interest The resignation of the three
registrars has created the necessity of the
appointment of three others to fill their
places, and Judge Falligant is now fig
uring on this question. Nominations of
registrars have been made by the demo-
Gratis and populists, but no one as yet
has been suggested by the republicans.
Judge Falligant will make every effort
to appoint men who will be satisfactory
in every respect. The registration lists,
while they may not be of
so much importance at the
present time, will become lists OF refer
ence and Will be important in that re-
spect. Consequently the work to be done
on them prior to the coming election will
be important to that extent Judge Falli-
giant has taken the matter under careful
consideration, and the appointments will
undoubtedly be made to-day or to-mor-
row.
Judge T. NJ Norwood was asked yester-
day about his reported candidacy for one
OF the supreme court 1udgeships
Tho newspaper reports are the first
heard Of the matter" Judge Norwood re-
piled. II do not understand where the
report originated. l have never announc-
ed that ! was a candidate, and further
more am not a candidate"
That was all Judge Norwood had to say
on the subject. but his friends insist that
he should let his name so before the con-
vention. Judge Norwood appears per-
fectly satisfied, however, to serve his
state and county in the position that he
now occupies.
Much comment was caused in local po-
htical circles yesterday, by the report
that the recently elected representatives
intended to make some radical changes
In the law with regard to the city court
1t Is understood that a bill is being pre-
pared, and win be advertised in a day or
two for the purpose of practically making
the city court entirely a county court
and making the county bear the expenses
of IT, instead Of having the city share the
expenses as is at present the case.
In line with this, Of course the bill
would change the power OF election of the
officers OF the court from the city council
To the county 1unfe4ionars g..