The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-03-28
sKIRMISH ON A SENAToRSHIP.
ARRIVAL ON THE SCENE OF CALLS
CONFIDENT ASSISTANT.

Political Surprises Likely to Come
ANY MISREPRESENTATION as TO Col.
Henderson's PIans-WiH the Senn-
toriaI Honor he offered to Him:
Col. ChipIey's PrOspects-He VIII
he in the Race 10 the End.
Jacksonville. Fla, March 1.-The ar
rival in the Land of Flowers Of Calls
fanhful henchman, the redoubtable
"Jeems" Alexander, may safely be ac-
cepted as an indication of the formal
opening Of the political campaign MT.
Alexander, who is one of the most SAN
euine of men, is still confident that his
chief will succeed himself in the United
States Senate, and never neglects, while
sounding Cars praises, to announce to
his friends that the senator's name still
adrons his desk, and that he has not
thought it worth his while to remove his
personal property from his accustomed
place in the Senate chamber
"Jeeems" is by no means alone in his
belief. but his indorsers are, nevertheless
few and far between. With the exception
OF the populistic Ocala Bannerthe Gaines
VILE sun is about the only paper in the
state that is still whooping up Calls for
Iorn hope Editor H. Fl. McCreary's ut
terances always carry weight in the Sun,
and they are, in this instance, doubly sig
nicant, as Mr.. McCreary Is also mem
Der of the legislature that is to convene
a week from next Tuesday. His colleague
is the Hon. James Carlisle, one OF the
most notable figures in the political life
Of Alachua county. Uncle jim" as he
is anectionately called, was for many
years clerk of the circuit court in this
county, and proved himself an honest and
reliable official He has always been
cali man of the deepest dye, and should
that gentleman's friends succeed in or
ganizing the legislature, he will be the
next speaker of the House
But Gov. Bloxham's action in appoint
ing Col John a. Henderson ad interim
senator has very naturally modified the
course of local politics, and no one need
be surprised at any sudden transformation
scene.
some of Col. Henderson's friends are
still amusing themselves by denying that
gentleman's candidacy. In one sense of
the word they are probably correct. No
body supposes that Col. Henderson WILL
in the face of his denial Of any further
aspirations in this direction, rush head
long into the race. He has hitherto pur-
sued a waiting policy, and there ~ no
reason why he should now modify his
plans That he has plans, hopes and as
pirations cannot be denied. To be a can
didate, eager and impatient, is one thing;
to accept an honor forced upon one is
quite another; and there is, in my judg~
ment, no reasonable doubt that John y.
Henderson will eventually find himself IN
a position that will enable him to fulfill
the pledge made public in his letter of
acceptance to GOV. Bloxham, on the one
hand and crafty his laudable ambition
on the other.
To all this a new element of interest is
now added by the inJudicious manner in
which Judge Raneys campaign is being
managed by his friend and relative, Gen.
f. b. Bailey, senator-elect from Jeifer-
son county and the lessee of the state
convicts. The fact that Judge Raney and
Col. Henderson are law partners and that
as general counsel and vice president of
the Florida Central and Peninsular rail-
road respectively, they have been inti-
mately associated, has inevitably given
rise to the supposition that the former
was in the confidence of Col. Henderson
1t now appears that such was not the
case. Nobody was more taken abaclx by
this latest move on the political checker
board than Judge Raney, who has, I'M
fortunately, permitted himself to show
some slight irritation in circular letter,
recently issued, in which he emphatical-
ly assures his friends that he knew moth
ing of Col. Henderson's political plans
Notwithstanding their professional con-
neetion, and that he is still a candidate
for the proud position Call calls his
own.
The comment naturally excited by this
letter is enlivened by the artless babble
of some of the political amateurs who are
booming Judge Raney's cause. One of
these well-meaning gentlemen not long
since permitted himself to wonder il Col
Henderson had had any intimation of
Gov. BloXham's intentions in the mat
ter, and capped the climax of his absurd
ity by denouncing the corporations" and
ring rule"
SO far as Col. Chipley of Pensacola is
concerned, il is not at all difficult to fore
see his course in the senatorial campaign
He will remain in the race to the end
bitter or otherwise; and he Will endeaVor
to hold Col Henderson 10 strict com
pliance with his promise not to run for
the United States Senate Nobody sup
poses that the Florida Central and PENN
sular man means to run" He Is much
more likely TO be run" after, as things
are now: but it is much to be feared
that neither Col Chipley nor his friends
are in frame OF mind to make any such
just distinction. There is fun ahead. and
whatever the final outcome may be, it
is safe to say that the commentary re-
Gently made on the situation by some
what cynical politician, win not soon lose
its force.
Look at il as you will" said this en-
lightened observer, "it is impossible not
10 admire Col. Chipleys simplicity or the
steadfastness with which he adheres 10
the artless delusion that the candidate
who beats the big drum is the one VINO
beats the big opponent"