The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-04-19
FLoRIDA'S SENATE FIGHT.
r1r,Sr VOTE NOT LIKELY TO SET
TIE THE sUCCEssORsHIP.

HE out on the Caucus Crutch-Sun-
dry Legislative Matters.
Tallahassee, Fla, April Extraordinarily
snea,1ing. the senatorial situation remains
unchanged, but beneath the surface runs
a strong undercurrent that is giving Calls
friends more uneasiness than little.
have used the phrase Calls friends" but
II hv no means signifies what it did six
years ago. John Stockton, Frank Clark,
left Browne-all three-may at any mo-
men. run up into the senatorial heavens
their own lightning rods. And
vet all were in 81 among
the most ardent of the veteran
i seniors supporters. Al three have been
amply repaid for their services. Browne
/ is collector of customs at Key West, and
Il Clark is Emitted States attorney for the
4 Southern district of Florida, while Stock
ton, who is a Jacksonville banker, has
got wrought altogether in vain.
These gentlemen may not be ungrateful.
70 say that would be harsh. but it may at
least be said that their point of view has
changed since 81, and that while they were
once working for Mr.. Call, they are now
cultivating their own political gardens. OF
4 the three, Stockton is the most active.
! Activity is his strong point, anyhow; and
/ he is said to have recently talked very
freely on the subject of his senatorial as
piratons to Dexter Hunter the big Jack
sonville sawmill man. One thing is GER
tain. Call will never forgive Stockton
should he desert him; and the former
a would sooner by far see his strength go
to Chipley than to any aspirant nursed to
H maturity in his own camp on the anti
corporation" pap which Call always keeps
in stock
There has been considerable speculation
as to the result of the recent caucus on
Fl Chiley's vote. From close investigation
q / am satisfied that he has behind him GER
8 tain men who cannot be moved, and that
there is a considerable floating vote whose
81 ultimate destination is largely a matter
of conjecture. Some of these men will not
talk at all; others give for the views fit
81 only to be heavily discounted, but the fol-
81 lowing estimate of the vote on the first
ballot may safely be given: Chipley, SO;
Cali. 80; Raney, II; Hooker, z; Burford, 5;
total 9S.
"a This leaves two votes lacking out of the
100 that make up the legislative roll. One
of these members is non-committal and
the fact that the st. Johns county con-
test has not yet been settled, leaves the
vote from that county still in doubt. These
figures however, need some explanation.
Six of Calls votes are merely compliment
81 airy, and will go to Chipley whenever he
wants them He will want them when he
81 nears the magic majority point of 81
Votes; and that he is likely soon to reach
that point is indicated by the following
Considerations;
This fight will probably come down to
Ia contest between two men. 1t will be
Can or
Stockton. If Chipley can drive Call from
thesfield, he can. certainly defeat Stockton,
who would, in the event of his candidacy,
#hnd Call arrayed against him. The latter
4has no such patent adjustable vote as he
8had in 81: but he has, nevertheless some
personal following that he can swing. In
that event-when Raney, Hooker and Bur-
ford retire, where are their Is votes to go2
Sixteen viii probably go to Chipley, 10 to
& Call or Stockton, and doubtful. This
would make the state stand: Chipley 81,
Call or Stockton 43, and doubtful. But
E las has has been already minated, Stock
ton cannot control Calls vote, and his
chances are that much less; and the adj
dtion to Col Chipley'S. total of the six
complimentary votes in the Call column
would give the Pensacola man So votes
seven more than a majority.
These figures were shown to one of Col.
Chipleys friends to-day, with view of
81 eliciting his opinion.
That is about what we expect" he said.
1T is not a majority on the first ballot. 1t
Is simply the foundation on which we
# base our hopes of success. Promises have
been made in other directions, that must
be kept. The stale old petition business is
s being worked for all it is worth; but when
those promises have been kept by several
votes for Call-When those petitions have
hen complied with-the changes express
d by your data will begin, and our
raiority will soon be an assured fact"
Chipley is the one man in this fight"
Included this worker, who will not start
nth very nearly his full vote His strength
bound to increase. Every vote he gains,
bans two votes less for Call, and we go
no the fight with unabated confidence"
Good judges here believe that the legis
aure will yet be glad to hobble out of this
Satorial difficulty on the caucus crutch.
abic opinion is against deadlock. The
hlic business is in no condition to war
mt ii, and such dilemma is favored only
? those dark horses who have no more
Gid basis for their hopes.
II the meantime, the legislature is peg
Ag steadily away at the regular routine,
q young and tender bills are every day
ilng beneath the killing frosts Of heart
Is committees.
The railroad commission advocates are
liking their doubtful hay while the sun
hnes. Their haste to push the Senate
omission Dill 10 nearing is explained
the fact that they hope to so utilize the
snatorial situation as to secure for the
leasure votes IL might otherwise lack
The bill, which was referred back from
BE Senate committee on railroads with
WI commandments been printed,
md proves TO be a drastic measure. The
WI provides for three commissioners, at
salary of $500 each, who are to be APP
olnted by the governor, TO hold Office I'M
u their successors shall be chosen at the
next general election. These commission
rs are authorized to make rates, which
man be considered prima facie just and
tasonable, thus throwing the burden of
roof upon the railroads. The commission
las power to examine the books and pa
ers OF the corporations, and may call
pom the attorney general to enter suit
or the infraction of their edicts which
re made punishable by penalties of not
ass than 800 or more than $1,000.
rms bill is likely to pass. although many
onservative members will oppose il. In
ne opinion Of some of those who believe
railroad commission on general prin-
pies the measure stands much In need
modihcaton, and 1t is not improbable
HnH