The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-11-21
WILL OPPOSE M'DERMoTT.
POSTMASTER HAINES IN THE
FIELD FOR CHIEF OF POLICE.

The Rumor OF His Candidacy Sub
stantially CONFERENCE.-The. Hatnes'
Trip to Atlanta Revived the Talk
That Has Been Current for some
Time-Capt. J. +. Brooks Likely 10
Succeed Mr.. J, W. jackson on the
Police Commission--Nr- Haines'
Friends Counting on His Election
Whether the Commission Is AboI-
iShed or Net,
Postmaster Seorse : EzicsS IS can
Siaate for chef O. Polcs against Ctist
Frank Mcernott 81 g1e coming election
in January. At ieast taat 5 the general
report. ana there IS SOD reason 10 be
neve IL 10 Re true. Ths report has been
current some time. but IL has been revived
Dung TIE las; few days.
The immediate cause which put new life
IN TIE report seems to have been a trip
which M Haines made to Atlanta last
week As matter OF fact, Mr.. Haines'
trip was purely upon business connected
with a fire insurance company, the agency
of which he has accepted, or Will accept.
Nevertheless, the report that his visit was
of a political nature spread at a lively
rate Citizens Club leaders said they I'M
derstood that Mr.. Haines was in Atlanta
helping the Liberals to defeat the COM
missions with the intention of becoming a
candidate for chief Of police before council
in case the commission bills should be re-
pealed.
Liberal Club men who were spoken to
said they understood that Mr.. Haines was
using his influence in favor of the commits
sions with a view TO succeeding Chief
McDermott in January by the choice of
the commission.
This looked rather puzzling. A friend
of Mr.. Haines, who was seen last night,
however, solved the mystery.
''Mr. Haines," he said, will be a can
didate whether the commissions stand or
fall. He has never been a member of
either of the two political factions and
occupies the peculiar position of having
strong friends among the leaders on both
sides. Ex-Mayor Myers and Mr..
Haines are warm friends and so are Mr..
Haines and Mayor Meldrim. Mr.. Haines
has some very warm friends among the
members of the present board and l do
not QOuDI IL ne blOutu go BClOiG NlGul III
election he would win hands down. How
ever, supposing the commissions to re-
main, as is likely, Capt Jordan F. Brooks
will succeed Mr. Joseph W. Jackson,
whose term expires in January. Capt.
Brooks and one other member of the COM
mission can be relied upon to support Mr..
Haines, and so he will land any way"
This is a hopeful view of the situation.
Mr.. Haines is certainly a remarkable man
If he can secure position at the hands of
whichever faction has the disposal of 1t.
Mr.. Haines was seen by a Morning News
reporter yesterday. He was inclined to be
non -committal, but admitted that he had
been approached by friends on both sides
to seek the Office. He did not consider
the sugge stion favorably at first, he said,
but after repeated urging, he had agreed
TO take the matter under consideration.
Whether he would or would not make the
race, he was unable TO say.
The Atlanta trip was mentioned, and Mr..
Haines said;
my visit to Atlanta had no political
bearing whatever. 1t was entirely upon
matters connected with fire insurance.
While there l was requested to interview
the Chatham representatives upon the
subject of the two insurance bills now be-
fore the House, which propose to place a
tax upon insurance policies. l did this
and that is the extent of my political move
ments while in Atlanta"
. If Mr.. Haines should be elected chief of
police he would, of course, resign the post
mastership. This would be a great relief
to the republican politicians as the appoint
ment of postmaster could be made with
out awaiting the expiration of Mr.. Haines
term, which has several months longer to
run. This would greatly simplify the sit
ua ton as the rest of the candidates could
then fight out the issue of the next collec-
tor of customs.
Chief Frank McDermott when told that
he had an opponent in Mr.. Haines, replied
That doesn't worry me. heard that six
months ago"