The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-12-20
HAS HE CHANGED HIS BASE?
MIR. t. F. JOHNSON NOW SAID TO BE
AN APPLICANT FOR POSTMASTER.

RumOrS of Combination BetWee n
Him and Col. Deveaux-Meeting at
the Cotton Exchange TO-dny-Mr.
Leakcn Talks Briefly of the Situa-
tion.
The members of Savannah's Cotton Elk
change and Board Of Trade will get to-
gether to-day for the purpose of taking
some action with regard to the collector
ship of the port. This meeting will un-
doubtedly be one of the most interesting
events in the history of the present fed
eral political situation, so far as it APP
plies TO this section of the state.
Acting upon the information that Col.
John H. Deveaux was likely to be appoint
ed collector, some of the prominent mem
bers of the Cotton Exchange requested
! President Henry T. Williams to call a
meeting to take action with regard to the
matter President Williams extended an
invitation to the board of trade to meet
with tho exchange, which invitation was
accepted by President D. G. Purse, and the
| notice of the meeting was posted by him.
The two bodies will gather at the ex
change al o'clock for the purpose Of dis
! cussing and taking some action with re-
| gard to the collectorship. Just what that
! action will be is not definitely known 1t
| is considered probable, however, that the
| resolutions passed will refer to Mr.. Nc.
kinley's visit to Savannah prior to his
| election as President the fact of his large
vote in this county and section, growing
! out of the financial issue and other mat
| tiers on that line, after which the admin
| istration will be requested to respect, to
certain extent the wishes of the people
! of the community.
In connection with this meeting, and it
is stated upon the authority of one who
keeps track of political affairs, it is
/ interesting 10 know that Mr. r. F. John
son has withdrawn from the race for the
| collectorship and has applied for the post
mastership. 1t is said he has within a
! letter 10 Washington. changing his appli-
cation as stated, in which he has request
ed that his Endorsements for the position
of collector be transferred to his applica-
| ton for the other office. Recent events
seem to Indicate some thing on this line.
| and rumor has it that Mr.. Johnson and
Coz. Deveaux have made a combination,
which expects to win.
This turn of the situation is, no doubt,
r.. j r..
Doyle and his friends especially since he
did so much in the republican cause in
stamping the district al the time he made
his race for congress. Both Mr.. Doyle and
his father, Capt. NJ. J. Doyle, have many
friends, politically, both here and in the
north. In the event of the success of such
combination, wholly or in part it is
said the support of the Irish element
would be Withdrawn from the republican
party entirely. What effect this might or
might not have upon Senator Hanna who
| Col. DeveauX claims, has promised him the
collectorship, remains to be seen.
The withdrawal of Mr.. Johnson from the
collectorship race is known in Macon and
| 1t is said this wthdraws from him the
support of Maj. ]. f. Hanson, who had in
dorsed him for that position, Capt. Henry
! Blum, whose son, Mr. Henry Blum, Jr. is
an applicant for the postmastership, be-
| sides some others. 1t is thought how
ever that in addition to the support of Col
Deveaux he has the support of Judson
| Lyons, Internal Revenue Collector H. A.
Rucker and Walter johnson.
President Mckinley was entertained here
| upon the occasion of his last visit by the
mayor and city council and other prom
| inent business men and Senator Hanna has
| many friends in Thomasville, where his
| winter home is located. 1t is said that
| some influence may be brought to bear,
therefore, through these facts and sources.
| In any event it is certain that a bitter
| fight will take place in Washington in JAN
uary when the matter of the collectorship
! will be decided, and the action
! of the two commercial bodies
| the cotton exchange and board
| of trade, and other influential citi-
zens, regardless of party, may play an i'm
| portant part in this fight since the Presi-
! dent, Senator Hanna, Secretary Gage and
| Postmaster General Gary are aware of the
| fact that the republicans made a remarka-
| BILE showing in the last presidential cleo
! ton, as Mr.. Bryan's majority over Nc
| Kinley and Palmer in the county was oniy
| about $50, while Gov. Atkinson's majority
/ short time before was more than 5000
| There are many business men who on this
| account, consider regardless of party sen
| timent, that some heed should be given to
the protest against the appointment of any
! person not satisfactory or acceptable "a
! those most interested in the city's well
| fare.
! Mr.. William r. Leaken, who has beer
interested for some time in the progress
of republican affairs in this section. was
seen and asked about the reported with.
drawal of Mr.. Johnson from the collector.
ship race and combination with Deveaux
Mr.. I4eaken was not inclined to discuss
| the situation.
Il believe, however, that the report OF
| Mr.. Johnson's withdrawal from the col.
! lectorship race is true" he said. "While
l have no actual knowledge of any such
combination, 1 am of the opinion that
matters seem to be taking that turn.
would not be at all surprised that there is
! some unders landing.
Il want to state emphatically," he said
that l have never applied for any office
under federal control l am not now a
candidate for the collectorship, but I pro
pose to so to Washington on or about the
first of January, and in so far as | am
able to protect the interests Of Savannah
as well as the interests of my party as
l understand those interests. | regard the
withdrawal of Mr.. Johnson from the col.
lectorship race as favorable to the chances
of Col. Deveaux, but trust that none OF
the bodies which l am informed will act
will make the mistake of attacking any
particular Individual or race. In my opin.
ion the d!gnihed request to the President
for whatever desires the people have will
have a great deal more weight. / should
regret to see a personal attack on any
one.'
With reference to Mr.. johnson, Mr. Lea.
ken stated that he had Endorsed him fol
pthe colleotorship, but had not given him
his Endorsement for the postmastershp.
1t appears from this situation that the
real fight will. i'm all probability, take