The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-12-17
POLITICAL DEAL PARALYzED.
INVOLVED An ALLIANCE TO DOWN
Mr.. DU BIGNON.

| First Move in the Game Was an OFFER
by GOV. Atkinson 10 Appoint Conn
missioner of Agriculture Nesbitt n
Member of the Newly Created PEN
itcntiary COMMUNICATION. o. ID.
stevens Would Have Been Made
Commissioner of Agriculture and
Would Have Backed Joe. Terrell
For Governor.
Atlanta, Ga, Dec. 1.-THE report that
Gov. Atkinson had offered to appoint Col
! R. I. Nesbitt, commissioner of agriculture
a member of the penitentiary commission,
under the new convict law, created
a lot of gossip at the capitol to-day
Some of Col. Nesbtts friends We're in
clined to think that there was no truth
in the report, that it was simply inspired
by his political enemies, who sought to in
jure his prestige in the race for commits
sioner next year, but there is no doubt
that the offer was made. Neither the
governor nor Col. Nesbitt has said so,
but it may be accepted as a fact, never
| theless.
Col Nesbitt when asked to deny or veri-
fly the report said he could not discuss the
matter at all. According to the statement
OF one who is supposed to know the inside
facts, Gov Atkinson yesterday, when the
convict bill passed the Senate, voluntarily
rendered one of the places on the commits
sion to Col. Nesbitt. He, however, smelt
political mouse, and promptly declined
to consider it for a moment. He told the
governor that he was ir> the race to sue
coed himself as commissioner of agricul-
! ture, and could neither be induced nor
compelled to retire while under fire. While
he appreciated the compliment offered him
by being offered such a responsible place
in the state household since his admins
| tration had been attacked, he would never
lower his colors in the agricultural depart
ment until the enemy had spiked his guns.
From what can be learned, the tender
to Col. Nesbitt was primarily in the in
terest of Hon. Joe Terrell s candidacy for
governor Mr.. Terrell is known as the
administration candidate because Gov. At
kinsOn is backing him. The plan was to
get Commissioner Nesbitt out of the way
Of Hon. o. b. Stevens. who is running
for commissioner of agriculture, and in
turn, Mr.. Stevens was to go to work for
Mr.. Terrell in South Georgia and against
Mr.. duBignon. The deal was to work
both ways. 1t was to help Mr.. Terrell
and hurt Mr. duBignon, who is heartily
hated, politically, by more than one of
the lately defeated candidates for United
States senator. Mr.. Stevens has general
| ly been regarded as hand in glove with
Mr.. duBignon, and the exposure of the
deal by which he was TO renounce the
brilliant Savannahian to help Joe Terrell
Will undoubtedly complicate his candi-
dacy. Had the scheme carried MIR. Stew
ems would have been appointed to sue
coed Mr.. Nesbitt at once and
thus been given practically a clear field
for the commissiOnership of agriculture
. eia1 an naz-f hrrt nj
Nesbitt wouldn't take the bait worth a
cent and the result is likely TO be a boom
erang to both Mr. Terrell and Mr. Stew
ems as it puts the duBignon forces on no
tice that there is an alliance between
Nessrs. Stevens and Terrell where they
counted upon the friendship of Mr.. Stew
y ems and eXpect ed TO help him in return.
/ Whether MIR. duBignon runs for governor
or not, he viii be a powerful factor in the
race, and he is not likely TO permit such
a throw down" as was intended for him
/ in the little scheme of the penitentiary
[ commission to so unnoticed.
Gov. Atkinson has offered place on the
/ penilentiary commission to Judge J. S.
] Turner, the present principal keeper and
/ he has signifed his Willingness to accept.
! There is an avalanche of applications for
! the three places, the number being unpre-
/ cedented in state affairs.
Interesting political developments con-
/ corning the gubernatorial race have en-
| livened the closing hours of the legislature.
/ 1t is the aftermath of Hon. Pope Browns
/ declinatiOn to enter the race for governor.
1t was generally understood a week or two
/ ago that Mr.. Brown would enter the race
/ and that he would so in with a very strong
following. He win not figure in the race
/ as q candidate, but developments to-day
/ indicate that he will be a potent factor
in the campaign, and that he will figure
as a conspicuous advocate of Allen D.
| Gambler, the present secretary of state,
who is now generally understood to be
squarey in the race. Mr.. Brown was an
enthusiastic Chicago platform democrat,
and was a prominent figure in the famous
Griffin convention Col. Gambler is now
and has been for many years, a conspicu-
Gus advocate of the free and unlimited
coinage of both gold and silver. This has
made a strong bond of sympathy between
Messrs. Brown and Gambler, and persons
well posted on the situation openly an
nOunce to-day that Mr.. Brown will sup
port Mr.. Gambler, indeed it is known that
Messrs. Brown and Gambler have been in
frequent and close conference during the
past few days, and while the former has
made no announcement of his position,
there seems to be no doubt of the fact that
at an early date he will make declaration
of his advocacy of Col. Gambler.
Hon. II. A. Jenkins of Putnam county,
speaker of the House of Representa- tives,
will positively be in the race for governor
next year. He told his friends so to-day
and a formal announcement of his candi-
dacy was looked for at the adjournment
tonight. For reason of policy, however,
| Mr.. Jenkins will delay his announcement
| for q couple of weeks. 1t will certainly
be forthcoming, however, by Jan. l.
Attorney General Terrell stated tonight
| that he would not make any formal an
nouncement of his candidacy for governor
before the middle of January or Feb. l. He
is in the race without reservat ton, how
ever, and his announcement is merely
matter of form. When he makes his an
nouncement it will be for the purpose of
promulgating his platform.
Col. Allen Gambler. secretary of state. is
also in the race to stay. lie does not at
tempt to deny the soft impeachment. and
is doing his level best to further his inter
ests among the members of the legislature
who will shortly return to their homes to
WELD more or less influence in the coming
contest.
WAGES AT FALL RIVER,