The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-10-24
ATKINSON APT TO BE SENATOR
SPEAKER CRIsP's DEATH OPENS A
LIVELY SKIRMIsH.

Gubernntorinl Election One of the
Probabilities of the situation and
Several Candidates Already on the
List.
Atlanta, Ca, Oct 23-The death of
Judge Crisp wrought chaos among the
politicians, who have been gathering
here In large numbers during the last few
days, in the furtherance of various inter-
ests before the legislature. which meets
next Wednesday.
On every hand there are expressions of
genuine sorrow at the taking off of the
distinguished Georgian. but mingled with
these expressions of regret at the states
loss, the effect of Judge Crisps death
upon the political situation is also widely
canvassed. 1t is the belief tonight that
Gov. Atkinson will be a candidate before
the legislature to I'LL the place which
Judge Crisp had been selected by tho
voice of the people to honor.
The governor. OF course, has maintained
the post respectful and becoming silence
upon the subject He was at the execu-
tive mansion. just across the street from
the sanitarium, when Judge Crisps death
was announced and except for visiting
the sanitarlum to tender his sympathy to
the family Of the deceased and consult
with them in regard to the funeral ar
rangements, he remained In his room the
balance of the day. He had an engage
ment to make speech at Sandersville
tomorrow. In the interest of Hon. w. II.
Fleming. the democratic nominee for
count of Judge Crisp's death and the ar
rangements for having the body lie in
state at the capitol tomorrow. he cam
celled this and will not appear in
the campaign in the Tenth until after the
funeral.
A poll Of the crowd gathered about tho
Kimball house tonight would show up a
quorum of the political leaders Of the
state. They are here from many quar-
ters and many more are expected. With
the precipitation OF another senatorial
contest, and in all probability another
gubernatorlal election within the next few
months, the politicians regard the situ-
alton as one of most intense interest IL
is little more than two weeks until thu
senator must be chosen. The law re-
quires that he shall be elected on the Sec
ond Tuesday after the organization of the
legislature, which makes 1t fall on Nov. 10.
The statement that Gov. Atkinson will
be candidate for the position Is based
upon his known ambition to go to the
Senate. He was quoted tonight as hav-
ing stated to a friend some months ago
that he would have made the race against
Judge Crisp but for his desire to prevent
the confusion in the ranks of the party
which would have been contingent upon
his retirement from the gubernatoriat
chair just at that time. Besides his ann
bition in this direction, the desire OF a
half-dozen other gentlemen to succeed
him in the executive Office will cause tho
strongest influence to be brought to bear
In his favor with the legislature, witch.
added to his individual strength, would
make his candidacy almost invincible
The only other ones mentioned so far
as probable candidates for the Senate are
Capt. IL. p. Howell and ex-senator Pat
rick Walsh. Like Gov. Atkinson, these
gentlemen are only discussed by the po-
litical gossipers. Capt Howell is in the
city, but Mr.. Walsh Is not.
While the politicians are generally fig-
uring Gov. Atkinson into the Senate,
they are also busy tonight In figuring
on his SUCCESSOR in the executive Office.
One of the immediate results Of the
days developments Is an increased inter-
est I'm the contest for the presidency OF
the state Senate, which has narrowed
down to Hon. r. l.. Berner and II. f.
Dunwoody. Both these gentlemen have
been on the ground for several days.
MIR. Berner's friends think that in view
Of the fact that the president of the Sem
ate will have to act as governor for at
least sixty days, IL Gov. Atkinson is
elected to the Senate, he Is now assured
Of that position. This is based upon the
ground that Mr. Dunwoody is a much
younger man and of less experience In
public affairs than he. Mr.. Dunwoody
is still pressing his candidacy, however,
and his friends will stand by him. Mr..
Berner Is also regarded as ready to get
In the race, II there should be a vacancys
to succeed Gov. Atkinson for shis unex-
pired crrm, In fact, 1t has been UNDER
stood throughout the present state cam
paign that Mr.. Berner would be a can
didate for governor two years hence In
opposition to Hon. Steve Clay Col. r.
IT, Hardeman, Gen. Clement A. Evans
and others less prominently mentioned.
Tonight Col. Bob Hardeman's friends
stated that he would be in the race for
Gov. Atkinson's unexpired term IL he
should be elected to the Senate and the
same is said Of Gen. Evans According
10 this statement, Col. Hardeman would
be satisfied with this one term and would
not ask a second term. IL Col. Harde-
man makes the race for governor, II is
understood that Hon. Steve Clay will not
oppose him.
Gov Atkinson said Of Judge Crisp: His
loss is a calamity just at this time. He
attained position where he was not only
one OF the most valuable men IN our state,
but was a national character Of whom all
Georgians were proud. 1 regarded him as
the most conspicuous before the nation OF
all southern men. His position as speaker
has brought him more prominently before
the country than any other southern man,
and the magnificent ability which he dis
played In sustaining himself as a leader
I.I 40 ffa frtarr
to such an extent that he was re-
garded everywhere as one OF the foremost
men OF America. Personally he was one
OF the most lovable Of men and outside OF
the loss to the public his death will bring
grief to thousands OF his fellow
CLARKE NOT A CANDIDATE.