The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-02-05
WITHDRAWS HIS CONTEST.
MIR. JOS. f. DOYLE No LONGER Az
TER COL. TESTERS SEAT.

That He Would Drop out of the
Fight-He Considers sound Money
and Protection Have Large
Enough Majority in the Next Con-
gress to Warrant Him in Calling
the Contest OH-The Expenses At
tending the Contest, He Says,
Would Be Far Ahead of the
Amount at Present Allowed by
Congress.
Mr.. Joseph F. Doyle, who was the re-
publican candidate for congress from this
district, has Withdrawn his contest for
the seat against Col Rufus E. Lester, the
present congressman from the First dis
trict. Mr. Doyle reached this conclusion
yesterday after careful consideration of
the matter and consultation with friends.
Mr.. Doyle was asked about the contest
by a representative of the Morning News.
well, / guess you can consider 1t off,
was MIR. Doyles reply. Sound money
and protection will have a safe majority
in the House, so l can be spared the an
noyance, the expense and the loss Of lime
a contest would have involved. Some peo-
pie imagine that counted-out candidate
goes into a contest for what congress pays
him. Why it wouldn't as at present pro
the cost of taking testimony in Burke
county alone. 1t would have been neces-
sary for me to have examined 1000 or l,2OJ
witnesses in that county, and as congress
provides for but $1,000. by the time at
torneys here and at Washington were paid
how much do you think would be left
for subpoenaing witnesses, for witness
fees and other necessary expenses in ten
counties?
I'VE had thought, when the notice of
contest was served, that the present con-
gress would shortly pass the bill repeating
the S2.0J0 limit, and providing that the
actually legitimate expenses Of contest
should be paid by congress upon the prop
er vouchers, but the bill has been de-
layed, although reported upon favorably.
Much of the brief time allowed for TAX
ing direct evidence for contestants has'l
expired, and even in one or more of the
counties of the district the tickets have
been DESTROYED. This is especially true of
Liberty county, where they never wanted
the counterfeit tickets to be reviewed.
Meantime the other side has not been slow
70 put barriers in the way of a thorough
investigation, and all these matters have
been the subject of party counsel and care
fnl consideration"
DO you mean that the party advised
you to serve the notice and has since
counseled you to withdraw from the con-
teStE' Mr. Doyle was asked.
Mr.. Doyle smiled and replied: Now,
you are firing GouDle-barreled questions
at me; but, 20 be frank with you, | have
been IN the hands of the party as much
since the election as / was during Rthe
campaign. You would hardly expect me
10 force myself upon the party as a can
dldete when II meant the hardest kind
OF work IN the short but vigorous cam
paign made in the district Well,
the party isn't strong enough In this sec
ton for one man 10 attempt to shape it's
n
election. When 1t gets to be as
unwieldy as the democracy of Chatham
II may break in two and have factions
swapping at each other, but l hope not.
We expect TO be harmonious and with a
wise administration under President Nc
kinley, return to sound methods of
finance and protection to American inter-
ests north and south, we hope that we
VIII have enough converts from the other
side to invite fair elections, and be given
1air representation on boards of regis
tratlon and elections hereafter.
III the rice planters and turDentne far
mers of this district ind the Mckinley ad-
mtnistratioA ready to do something TO re-
iieye them from the policies of the present
administration, and If the banking and
commercial interests of Savannah and this
district are given something better than
me Bryan-democratic policy, you will find
that the next republican candidate for con-
sress VIII nave too big a majority, and
Will be backed by too strong a public sen
tlment 70 permit of any of the tricks that
were resorted 10 last November.
Ihen you are really out Of the contest
and viii not take any testimony"
es, that is putting IL cOnciseiy While
j nave abundant information 20 aid me In \
establishing my claim TO the seat 1t might
ne months before the final decision would
DE had IN the House, and as the contested
can DO no harm politically in a congreee
where ne is minority member | am ouite
willing he shall remain TO do all the good
ne can IN local way for Savannah. TO 4
which | have no doubt, he is as Iovai as
am, and which he win do as willingly ana
rs izesalously lf he should. recover his
" 1p md. a
! nave no personal feelings against him
an ane ms reply TO my notice was lawyers
Have you notified Col Lester thar the
contest is not to be prosecuted further9"
,bess' A., 4 hardly think it necessary. In
reportorial alertness such informa t ii,n
raves raster than the mail train and as
m m oseision was only reached TODAY. IN
- probable that il will be known In W'asb
ingion before a letter would reach him
y y SAD that you are looking for an
1i nn9 In, under The new administra-
On you viii nave 10 excuse me on that
point. beyond the fact that / have asked
ments," Mr.. Doyle replied
Had congress passed the bill now mend
ing before 1t giving contestant for such
making the contest there is litPIo LIS Ss,,t IN
dnat Mr.. Doyle would have made ~
sght; mat bill has been reported on fav
DIaDly DN the committee on eleetions oyd
the committees report has been rsfssrsrnd
20 the committee Of the whole house GU
Inc new Dill proposes to leave the mat
ter Of the expenses to the discretion ~ ~
s ~ ti,S committee and the House ireif.
70 Juuge, according to the merits ana ne,
cessltles or each particular case a. ia
WHAT amount should be appropriated The
committee announced IT'S obDosifion ~
making contestant pay anV portiot, -
ms expenses and especially was II onpos
"a 20 any expenses coming ont ~ M
pOcket Of the successful party. az II ,Vouid
De IKE taking SO much away from his sal
airy as member Of the House Tho bui
VIII no doubt be heard from again ss6o,,iiIi
y pass; u y likely that more contests viii
- Pusheu 70 hnish than is the case nm
limit OF expenses 5000 '-S
MI. Doyles friends are confident since
his withdrawal chat he will be n candiJste
DeIoIe the new administration for "A pres
.9lenual appointment In Savannah, and
they consider that he will be a euceessf1,i
applicant On this subject. however MIR
Ooyle Is, as yet, maintaining a discreet
HIS COLLECTIONS WE'RE MIssIN.