The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-02-24

West to the state convention
at Tallahassee distance of
over 200 miles, Capt Horr Is
an old Ohio man who enjoys the distinc-
ton of having fought through the war in
McKiuleys regiment. The betting seems
to be somewhat in Aliens favor.
John r. Mizell and DR.. A. ]. Pollock are
the leading aspirants for the Pensacola
custom house. The former was the collec-
tor under Harrison, and has a powerful
backing. Joseph Il. Lee and Jacob Burk-
helm have been mentioned for the Jack
sonville collectorship.
Several prominent colored politicians
have entered the race for the register of
the United States land office at Gaines
vile, and the surveyor generalshlp.
For United States district attorney for
the southern district the following entries
have ben made: J. N. Stripping. f. p
Axtell of Jacksonville, and G. b. Patter-
son of Key West. For United States mar
shall for the same district: V. j. Ship
man of Lawtey, Dennis Eagan and Roy
Moody of Jacksonville. John T. Stillman
and j. G. Greeley are both of Jacksonville
and both think they would like to be col
lector of internal revenue at that point
Mr.. Stillmans 'liking." however, are
thought to be most likely to blossom forth
in the joy of possession. There are three
leading aspirants for the Jacksonville
postoffice: p. E.McMurray, w H.
Lucas and n. c. wamboldt
behind whom is strung out the field in
bewildering array. Pat McMurray will
probably be found well in front at the
finish. He has hosts of friend, and is in
himself a host.
1t will be remembered that the Hnde-
pendent movement of the Gunbyites. or
"Lilywhites,' during the last campaign
was ostensibly based upon the ardent de-
sire of that faction to give the state a
white republican party This desire now
seems likely to be partially gratfed by
means less radical and more consistent.
1t was easily to be seen at the last
meeting of the state executive commit
tee that the old fractional lines were fast
disappearing, and most of the aspirants
seem to realize that fences can best be
strengthened by piing on rails from every
direction. The present committee is com
posed of forty-fve members one from
each county. But eleven of these members
are oOlored, and this committee will fix
the apportionment for the next state con-
vention. Should the vote in the last cleo
ton be taken as a basis, the representa-
ton of the black counties will be largely
reduced and that of the white counties
correspondingly increased. This question,
however, yet remains to be settled. Its So
luton will involve the consideration of
the problem which split the last state
convention in twain, hut there
was little or nothing in the last
meeting of the executive committee
to indicate how the lines are likely to
be drawn.
One thing alone is certain. The repub-
lican party in Florida is not dead. Ear
from it. 1t was never better organized,
better equipped or better Differed. The
prospect of patronage has galvanized II
into renewed activity and, above all, 1t
has received unexpected reinforcemsnts
in the shape of many of those democrats
who found Bryan too much for them, and
who, in national politics, will act with
the Mckinley men until the democratic
party shall have returned to its sober
senses. The organization is now in the
hands of broad gauge men who will make
it faction in the development of the
state and power at the polls, rather
than mere machine designed to hold
conventions, but which could never hold
Office.