The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-11-05
SENAToRSHIP OF THE STATE.
THE DEMOCRATIC Caucus TO BE
HELD MONDAY NIGHT.

This-Berner spoken on "s go
atortaI Candidate-PIans OF the
oDposftion-A Very Lively Fl2ht
in PrO~ress-Encct of the Election
of n Gold Standard Man For PreSi-
don't i'm the Senatorial Fight.
Atlanta, Ga, Nov. 4-The effect OF the
national election upon the fight Tor tne
Georgia senatorship was widely discussed
among the politicians and legislators mere
to-day. Great interest was manifested IN
the news of the election. especially during
during the afternoon, when reports came
in which seemed to indicate that Bryan
stiu had a chance to win out. But TINS
interest in the general election only served
to increase the speculation over the sena-
torial sweepstakes to be run for next Week.
Al the adjournment of the House TINS
morning a call was read for the sehalo-
rial caucus to be held on next MONDAY
afternoon at 8 O'Clock. The fixing OF the
time for holding the caucus also served
to enliven the senatorial issue Before
the adjournment for the legislature last
week 1t was understood that the caucus
was to be held Thursday or Friday hlghl'
This programme was said to be in accord
ance with the Atkinson plan of campaign
the understanding being that II his
strength developed sufficiently there was
to be no delay in bringing on the acuoh
of the caucus, and thus settle the matter
According to the arguments or the oppo-
sition to the governor, the election ol
Mckinley and the reduced majority LOT
the democratic electoral ticket IN Geor-
Ria, were said to be severe blow 10 MS
senatorial aspirations. This result, so the
argument went was attributable TO the
fact that the people would now be more
strongly than ever opposed to another
aubernatorial election, because of the evil
dent danger Of defeat at the hands OF the
allied republicans and populists. The anti
Atkinson forces used this lever for ali Il
was worth, incidentally throwing out all
sorts of reports as to the probability OIL
a great reduction in the majorities re-
ported by to-day's returns, when the Of
fetal returns shall have been computed
Some of these declared that the demo-
cratic electors would not get 1900 when
the vote is officially counted, and in the
face of this, declared that it would be
utter folly to precipitate another state
tie governor took the position that the
cefeat of Bryan meant the practical elm
inltion of Capt. Howell and Hon. Hal
Lewis from the contest. Both OF these
gentlemen, they said, depended for their
strength largely upon their ability TO con-
troll federal patronage in the event OF
Iryan's election, and now that the dem
ocrats would not have any patronage to
control, they would both have to furl
their banners. This point was emphasized
during the afternoon, by the report that
the opposition candidates we're talking
about a plan to consolidate their strength
upon some other man, not now in the
field. According to this report, which
came from a reliable source, all were 10
retire in favor of Gen. Evans or some
other man, and then make 1t
fight between him and Atkinson. A
caucus is said to have been arranged for
to perfect this plan this afternoon, but 1t
did not materialize. The afternoon ses-
sion of the legislature probably inter
fered with it. If it was in fact planned.
Gov Atkinson also had caucus planned
for this afternoon, but the session of the
legislature interfered with 1t. The friends
of Gov. Atkinson are also answering the
statement that the caucus was set for
Monday night, not because of any mis-
carriage of his plans, but because the Op-
position found itself completely democrat
lied by the result of the presidential cleo
tion, together with the Endorsement his
candidacy has received at the hands OF
the people whom they met when they
went home to vote yesterday. The gov
ernor's friends say that they had nothing
whatever to do with the Sall for the eau
Gus, and had never had anything to say
with regard to when Ii should be called.
The fact that he catcus has been fixed
for Monday afternoon, however, puts a de-
cidedly interesting phase on the situation,
al he l.
and republicans to play an important part
in the election of the senator. 1t is by
no means improbable from the aspect Of
the situation at present, that there NAV
be a deadlock in the caucus, although
Gov. Atkinsons friends and managers
claim that he has sufficient votes to nomi-
nate him on the first ballot. The opposi-
q, ton disputes this so vigorously, and win
kSuch show of reason, that Ii is safe TO
say that as matters now stand, there
could be no nomination on the first ballot,
The members are so divided up among the
hve candidates that a deadlock IS
probable. Each has a following that will
stick to him. With deadlock in the eau
Gus on Monday, and the election obliged to
take place on Tuesday under the law. II
can readily be seen that the forty-four
populists and republicans would have the
balance in their hands, and by voting sol
idly could name the senator in all probabil-
the plan of the opposition to Atkinson
though upon what grounds the opposing
forces base their supposed belief that the
popuiists would not vote for him. or that
they would support any one else, is NOT
known. According to one Of the favorite
arguments of the opposition, the populists
would only be too glad to see a vacancy in
the executive office, and II so, they would
vote for Atkinson for the Senate to bring
about this vacancy, and thus give then
their opportunity to elect the governor tc
succeed him, as the opposition declares
that there is grave probability they woulc
do, If Atkinson is sent TO the Senate. The
success Of the gold standard faction in tho
national election has also occasioned a re,
vival of the boom of Hon. Fleming duBig
non, though he still insists that he is MOI
a candidate. and has no idea of becominf
one. Ex-Secretary Smith has also beer
mentioned in the same connection. but tn,
general opinion Is that the senator who
ever he may be- win be a silver man. The
opposition OF those who oppose Gov. At
kinson is, however, so determined tina
they might be led into any sort of a com
promise that would defeat him
report was in circulation late this az
/