The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-02-28
LOOKING FOB The PATRONAGE.
THINGS GETTING PRETTY WELL
STIRRED UP IN THIS SECTION.


PositiOn--Mr. DOyle's visit TO Marl<
Hnnnn in the Interest of Collector
of the Portfolios. #. Johnson and
Col. j. II. Devcaux After the Col
IectOrship Also.
The approaching time for the apporton-
ment Of the republican patronage is get
ting things stirred up more and more In
this section of the state, as well as else
where.
The latest report is. and it is founded
on the very best authority, that the dis
trict attorneyship for the southern dis
trict of Georgia has been settled, and it
will go to Marion Erwin, Esq, Of Mason,
who held the office under President Har-
rison's administration.
But the most interesting feature in this
connection is the fact that when the Geor-
gia slate is made up, and this report,
too, is well founded, Mr. w. r. Leaken's
name will appear as an assistant to the
district attorney, resident in Savannah,
with a salary of 81 500 a year, aud with
the Savannah end of the district to look
after. The publication of this informa-
ton will no doubt be quite a surprise to
Mr.. Leaken, as well as to his many
friends, but it has leaked out, and from
q source that is practically undoubted.
The report is confirmed by the fact that
Mr.. Leaken recently made trip to At
lanta and to Macon for the purpose of
comforting with Col. Buck of the former
place, and Maj. ]. F. Hanson of the lat
ter, about the same time that Mr.. Joseph
+. Doyle made a similar trip on a simi-
lar mission. Mr.. Leaken and Mr.. Doyle,
however, did not go together, nor did
they meet. and it is said they had no in
formation of each others trips prior to
the time they went When seen yester-
day neither Mr.. Doyle nor Mr.. Leaken
denied having made such trips, though
both refused to give any information with
regard to them.
1t is understood that Mr. Doyle extend
ed his visit far beyond the bailiwick of
the leading Georgia republicans, who are
expected to control the patronage, and
took in Cleveland. O., where he was en-
tertained by Ohios coming senator, Hon.
M. A. Hanna. When asked for some in
formation regarding his trip, Mr.. Doyle
simply said:
IT learned all 1 wanted to know, but 1
have nothing TO say for publication"
Mr.. Doyle made this reply with know
ing smile, as If he had a certificate of ap-
pointment to some fat office in his inside
pocket. Mr.. Doyle does not deny that he
will be a candidate for the collectorship,
though he talks rather around the point
when approached with regard to it.
1t is said the three-cornered fight for the
custom house appointment is liable to
grow more and more interesting, and it
may be that 1t will furnish a sensation
or two before it is concluded. The latest
report is that the politicians in control
are not at all satisfied with the rupture
in the republicans ranks of Savannah
over this office. 1t is now well known that
Mr.. T. f. johnson, Mr.. Joseph F. Doyle
and Col. J. H. DeveauX are all in the race
for this Office, and it looks as If all of
them were in to stay.
The powers that want to break up this
warm contest in the party ranks, and as
IL stands at present the solution of the
problem is more than the average poll
tician wants to undertake. Both john
son and Doyle seem confident of the APP
pointment, and their friends seem to feel
the same way about it. 1t is said, how
ever, that the edict has gone forth, and
that the contest must not go on. In fact,
it is openly limited that unless the poll
ticians interested cease their strong OPP
position and arrive at some settlement
of the situation, dark horses will appear
on the scene, and the appointment may
go to some man who has never yet been
mentioned in connection with it, AS yet
there is no betting on the result. 1t is
said settlement might be reached
through some Of the other offices which
are at the disposal of the government
But, as stated, the district attorneyship
has reached the most decisive stage, and
there seems to be no longer any doubt
that Mr.. Erwin will be the lucky man,
with Mr.. Leaken as assistant in Savan-
nah. 1t has been reported time and again
that Mr.. Leaken would be in the race
against Mr.. Erwin for the district attor-
neyship, but Mr.. Leaken has persistently
stated that this would not be the case,
both on account of his personal friend
ship for Mr.. Erwin and from the fact that
the appointment, If he should secure It.
would require him to remove his residence
TO Macon, which he does not desire to
do, and will not do. Maj. w. II. Gary's
term expires March 80, and the probability
is this will be the first appointment made
in this section.
Collector J. f. b. Beckwith's term does
not expire for some months to come. and
1t is not believed he will be disturbed at
present 1t Is pretty certain that he will
remain In office until the close of his term
In case the three cornered fight is not
brought earlier to an abrupt termination.
Mr.. Beckwith has given a satisfactory ad-
to the business interests of
the port, and there is no desire for his re-
moval.
With regard to the postofilce Mr.. Will
liam Pease, as is well known, is in the
race against Mr.. y. +. Sholes, but there
is no predicting which way the wind is
going to blow in this case, just as is true
with the custom house fight. 1t may be
that some one not yet mentioned In con-
necuon with II Will be the lucky man. or
that II will be used as a basis for settling
the conflict now IN progress with regard
to the collectorship.
The fight for the marshalshiD Of the
district still lies between r. ID.
Locke OF Macon and John NJ Barnes Of
Thomson, both well known republicans.
This. It is sad IS going to he one Of the
warmest aghts OF the season, and It is
liable to develop a third candidate.
Perry NJ DeLeon. formerly OF Savan-
nah. Is out as a candidate for the none,l1-