The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-11-14
ATKINSON OUT OF THE ARENA.
HE RETIREs ON THE ADVICE OF
HIS FOLLOWERS.

MeIdrim presents the AuNlce IN a
HighIy EuIOgistic Address - The
Governor Anxious That the People
of the state BE Given a Chance to
ExDress Their Preference by Di-
rect Vote at the December Elec-
ton.
Atlanta, Ca, Nov. 13.-Gov. Atkinson
announced his formal withdrawal from
the senatorial contest at a meeting of his
caucus. held Immediately upon the adj
iournment of the general assembly this
afternoon.
As stated in these dispatches last night,
This caucus was called to receive the re-
mort of the steering committee. This CON-
m,ttee, through Maj. P. w. Meldrim of
savannah, it's chairman, made a written
statement advising the governors retire
ment. This statement was in pNrt, as
follows: I'VE are assured that upon tho
death of Mr. Crisp you became the choice
of a large majority of the democratic
party of the state for the position of SEN
etor in congress. Your experience in pub
lie life, your services to your party and
your eminent fitness all directed the
public thought to you and necessarily
made YOU a candidate before the legisla-
ture. With the progress of that candidacy
you are familiar, and while you have
borne yourself with that dignity that be-
fits your station and that becomes the
exalted office to which you aspire, yet
1t would be uncandid in US not to say
that we have found a sentiment, partly
tIxr foo cd oerai ,acF
another election. Were you not filling the
Office you now hold. we are assured that
there would have been no objection to
your selection by the democratic caucus.
Even those who oppose you most violent
ly have declared to us that their oppo-
sition is not to you, but to another cleo
tion. We feel that the dignity and honor
of Georgia should only be instrusted 70
one who is worthy and well qualified to
represent her in the greatest of all mod
ern deliberate assemblies, and that our
people stand ready TO make any sacrifice
to attain such a result; yet we are con-
strained to admit that a majority
of the general assembly is clearly of the
opinion that another election might
plunge the state in turmoil and strife.
I'VE know your devotion to Georgia
Niu t4AC NSNSSAl III WHICH SlG NOUS you,
but we cannot close our eyes to the fact
that further contest on your part will
place you in false position. Honorable
as is your ambition, yet your first duty is
to the state that has so honored you, and
in our judgment your self-respect and
dignity, as well as the welfare of the
state and the party, require that we
should advise your withdrawal from
further contest before the general assem-
bly,"
Gov. Atkinson was present when the
statement was read. He knew what was
coming and was prepared to reply, which
he did, saying, after extending his thanks
to the forty-nine who have stood by him
IN his fight: with a thorough knoWI-
edge OF the situation, 1 am prepared to
say to you that l agree with the conclu-
sion reached by your committee, and feel
mat to persist longer in this controversy
peIore the general assembly would be an
injustice to you, an injustice to me,
ana would, perhaps, invite criticism of
my friends which I feel it my duty to
avert.
When l entered the contest for United
states senator, l was confident that was
ooeylng the wishes of my party. l know
mat at that time l was the preference for
mat position of an overwhelming major
lly OF the present members of this general
assembly, and that had the controversy
Deen permitted to be decided as between
myself and the honorable gentlemen who
nave been competing with me for this
great office that the members Of the gen
erai assembly would nave honored me
Wlth their support. Subsequent to that
tme election day came The members of
me general assembly went to their homes,
round their people tired of turmoil and
sulle IN the political arena, and came
DdcK-a majority of them strongly inn
pressed with the idea that, while l was
tue preference of the people, yet they were
uIslncllned to run the risk of again being
involved in political contest. l felt,
Know, that that feeling was intensified be-
cause of the fact that in the national
tection the result was distressing to us,
ana our people felt there was little to gain
from the national administrati ton within
.he next four years. The issue then real
y became not between the men who are
candidates, but upon the question as to
whether or not there should be another
SIectlon in Georgia. AS time has passed
ny tnis feeling has grown strong with the
members, as they have communicated
WIN their constituents and with their
friends Whether or not they have
know.
AT all events It is now clear that a ma
JorIty Of this general assembly are opposed
20 another election. Feeling that by con-
Ihulng in the race I would be doing an
injustice to you, to myself. and to my
party 1 now release my friends from any
lurther allegiance TO me, and say to them,
40 what is to the best interest of your con-
AItuents and to the best interest of Geor-
ga If for any reason, either now or here
4I'er' or IL as a result OF it's balloting the
uemocratic caucus can be induced to re-
Ier this matter to the people, and let them
Note' not on the question of an election or
no election, but let them on the 10th day
OIL December vote on the question, clear
cut as to whom they prefer for United
states senator, / will, IN that emergency.
De ln the race. and will go to the people,
ana let them say who is their choice.
invite the democratic members of the
general assembly, who have not voted for
me and whose sincerity / do not question.
VINO say the people are opposed to another
tlecton, simply to give me an opportunity
70 80 before the people of Georgia upon
equal footing with my competitors. with
me weight Of another election on my
PACK, and l will in that contest accept
sne result as becomes a democrat and a
man.
IL would be in accordance with the
,.F4 . .a I.r 4,