The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-10-07

Story of the Fight and Democratic
Victory.


Victory.
Green Cove Springs, Fla, Oct. GA
strong fight has been made in this county
against the regular nominees of the demo-
cratic party. There has been for the first
time here a fusion between the republi-
cans and the populists. The former party
has not before had ticket in the field
since 1888. The eight-box law was against
them, they thought and they held aloof
from the elections or voted either with the
democrats, or, in the last two elections,
with the populists Under the new system
of voting, which is a type of the Australian
ballot, the populists and republicans have
divided the offices and have made a des-
perate effort to win.
The principal fight has been for clerk
of the circuit court. S. F. Hanford has held
this office for the past eight years, and is
a prominent party man and citizen. His
opponent is man who has resided in this
county some twenty-five years, a native
of England and, since his residence here a
republican and the leader of that party.
He has been twice, or oftener, postmas-
ter of Green Cove Springs. He has never
held a county office, except by appoint
ment.
=. D. Prevatt, the democratic candidate
for reelection to the Office of tax collec-
tor has made a most efficient officer, is a
native Floridian and a good citizen. His
opponent, N. B. Ivey, is a native of North
Carolina, and has resided in the county
for more than twenty years. Until recently
he has affiliated with the democratic par
~.
The race for the treasurership between
Messrs. Wilson. democrat, and Mr.. Cano-
va, populist, was a battle royal between
two to the manor born. Mr.. Wilson is the
incumbent and makes most satisfactory
officer
The Office of sheriff has been filled for
the past two years by James Weeks, who
the democrats put forward for reelection,
and the stand pat" on their mans repu-
tation as an officer and as a man. The
fusion candidate, Tom Green, is a resident
of Middleburg.
The office of tax assessor is now held
by W. r. Chalker, who is, as he says a
democrat, because he was born that way,
and never tried to be anything else. His
opponent, W. H. Hall, is a republican,
and resides at Orange Park.
W. w. Shedd, the incumbent superin-
tendent of schools, is a native of South
Carolina and a democrat. Rev. Pillsbury,
who was put out by the fusionists, is n
northern man. having resided here for
four or five years.
For county judgship the fight is between
two old gentlemen of the old type Judge
j. t. ArfteIt u6H1OCTdllC CanQiQaIe, mas
before occupied the position TO which he
aspires, is a native of Georgia, and for
many years was a successful merchant OF
Macon His opponent, Mr.. Eddy, fusion
ist, is a northern man and a lifetime re-
publican.
The election to-day concludes one of the
hardest fought battles for county offices
that has taken place here for eight years
Two years ago the democrats had over
their opponents majorities ranging from
30 to 80, out of total vote of 455. There
have been a large number of votes lost
here to-day on account of improper mark
ing. The county has SIS qualified voters.
The election passed off without disturb
ance. At this precinct the county seat.
2i6 votes were cast. The Australian sys-
TEN worked quite satisfactorily. The
democratic candidates have a safe lead.
except for circuit clerk, state senator and
representative, all of whom will he elecs-
ed when full returns are in. Robert Fur-
nishing, for clerk, leads landlord in pre
cincts ], and by votes but the county
VIII give 80 to 100 majority for landlord
Lewis Wilson, fusionist for represents,
i've, is a few votes ahead of b. NJ Fish
bee, dem, with the democratic stronghold
to be heard from
On the state ticket Bloxham has 1os
votes, Weeks 80 and Gunby 46. The other
democratic candidates have about the
same lead. The republican and populIst
fusion panned out but poorly. The consfi-
tutlonaI amendments got only a light