The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-12-25
SAVANNAH MAN BACKS STEIN.
j. c. COLLINS WROTE OF THE ST.
SIMoN'S POKER GAME.

said He Would Have Had Warrants
Issued for Judge Berry and Solicit
tor o'NeiI But for the interpretation
OF Mutual Friends-Stein's Paper
Issued a Day Ahead OF Time, But
Fails to Contain an Article CaIcu-
lated to Provoke BIoOdshed.
Atlanta. Ga, Dec. 24.-Edbor Orth Stein
Of The Looking Glass issued his paper
day ahead of time to-day, in order to get
it before the holiday crowds and turn a
thrifty penny on account of his embroglio
with Solicitor o'NeE.
Il has been expected that he would pub
lsh an article that would provoke blood
shed, but nothing of this kind has oc-
Cured, and many people now think the
sensational affair is at an end, although
Stein says in his article that he will do
the correct thing at the proper time.
The most important part of his article
to-day is letter from J. S. Collins of Sa-
vannah, one OF the luckless Citizens Club
men, whose arrest for poker playing at
the Kimban caused all the trouble. Stein
gives Mr. Collins as his authority and in
sists that his letter answers the article
criticising Solicitor O'Neil. Mr.. Collins,
who will come up to Atlanta on Monday,
says in his letter to Mr.. Stein; Il have
read the article in the Looking Glass of
Dec IS. The statement therein made that
the cases against myself and other gen
slemen involved in the Kimball house
game of cards, were pushed for the pur-
pose of satisfying the avarice of court Of
te ind I
find that all the good people of Atlanta
and elsewhere with whom I have con-
versed upon the subject heartily concur
with me.
'In the matter of the prosecution of Mr.
O'Neil and Judge Berry I desire to as
sumo the responsibility. 1t has not to my
knowledge been charged that these gen
tlemen played poker at the Hotel Ogle-
thorpe in Mcintosh county, but Hon. JOS
eph Mansfield of Mcintosh county did not
hesitate to state publicly in Atlanta that
he was present and saw Judge Berry and
Solicitor ONeil playing poker on St. Sim
ons Island last summer, and If need be
equally as prominent gentlemen of the
city of Atlanta win testify to the same
thing Their names would now be given
out Tor the TACT tnaL tletr information
was given in confidence. I feel that Judge
Berry and Solicitor ONeil have abused
their official position in pushing the cases
against our party, and but for the earnest
solicitation of some of the members of
the party and other mutual friends l
would have had warrants issued for the
arrest of them both, and l may yet take |
such action for l do not feel that they |
should parade themselves as Virtuous |
when they are anything else, as am in |
formed
1t may be that there will be a new chap |
ter to the affair when Mr.. Collins comes |
upon the scene, but as stated, the general |
opinion is that the affair is at an end.
Editor Stein prints an article accom- !
panying the Collins letter, but there Is |
nothing in it to provoke a renewal of the |
attack upon him. 1t is not half as hot |
as was expected in fact lacks ginger al |
together. In closing he says: LAS l said |
discuss my personal grievances in these |
columns. The only reason why l have |
made this statement is because feel it |
primary duty TO demonstrate to the public |
that we were in the right To call names |
is cheap and easy, and it would be no |
satisfaction to me to Villify men who Of |
fered me insult. l think everybody whose |
opinion / value understands the present |
Situation perfectly and knows that could |
not have asserted myself on the spot with |
out foolishly and wantonly throwing |
away my life. 1 promise my friends that |
1 will attend to things at the right time
and in the right way"