The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-01-18
TERRELL is OFF THE TRACK.
ATTORNEY GENERAL NOT 4 CANDI-
DATE FOR GOVERNOR.

BecauSe He Does not NiSh u" ~
Put in the Position Of Running III
the Interest of GOV. Atkinson.
Atlanta. Ga, Jan. 17.-It seems that Gov.
Atkinson is not the mascot Of the Terrell
gubernatorial boomlet after all. In fact
the governor appears TO have been the At
torney Generals Jonah, for this after
noon the ambitious Attorney General gave
the press a formal statement, declaring
that he had determined not to become
candidate for the honors of the executive
chair. He viii content himself with an
other term as Attorney General if he can
get II.
Anattentive perusal of Col. Terrelrs let
ter. (which is addressed 10 the public. dis
closes no other reason for the sudden 'ol-
lapse Of his gubernatorial ambition than
the fact that he has been proclaimed the
A tkinson administration candidate. lie very
plainly thinks the governor has reach
ed the end of his political string and that
his Endorsement is more of handicap
than a boom. He says this between the
lines. Especially is this the plain mean
ing of his words in the eyes OF those VINO
are familiar with all the circumstance OF
the present political situation.
There is no doubt that Gov. Atkinson has
done all he could to make his friend the
Attorney General solid as his successor.
A glance at his acts during the past few
months shows this to be true. The Gov
ernor is now away in Mexico. what he
will say when he returns will be interest
ing. no doubt. If he will say it for pubiea-
ton. His friends here, who read the At
torney Generals letter tonight, think
that the latter has given MN
lone in the neck" 1t may De
that the criticisms that have been heaped
upon the Governor for attending lex
lean bull fight on Sunday (Which, by the
way, was a newspaper fake, for private
advices are that the Governor dd not 90
it,, was the last straw that caused Col.
Terrell to decide that the Governors po-
litical friendship would be too heavy
load to carry in the coming race.
Col Allen Gamblers friends are in high
feather over the withdrawal of Col Ter
rell for his action is i'm reality with
drawal. for he repeatedly assured his
friends that ne intended to run. They
think it means that the election of the
little Secretary of State without opposi-
ton This may be the effect Of 1t, though
there are some who predict a rise in du-
Bignon stock, and look now for an an
nouncement from him. Others expect
Berner to get in the race, but the major
ity opinion is that Mr. duBignon would
now be the most likely man in a campaign
with Mr.. Gambler. More developments are
pretty sure to follow the Terrell letter in
close order at any rate.
Following is the letter in full:
ITO the Public: / owe it, not alone to
myself. but also to the loyal friends who
L. To 4 .
course. that the following statement
should now be made: l have had under
advisement for some weeks past the de-
termination of the question as TO whether
or moi l should enter the contest for NOM
lnation by the Democratic party for Office
of Governor of Georgia, to succeed the
present incumbent. In the press of Off
cial duties pertaining to my office | have
given this matter such consideration as
time and opportunity have allowed, but in
Difference to the position of other friends
who may be considering this subject with
a similar ambition, ! wish now to say that
/ shall not be a candidate for that office
AS a matter. of fact, l am not dissatis-
fed with the official position which l now
hold, and while, like other men. 1 am
not insensible to the allurements of po-
Htical preferment / would not, without
some thing other than the dictates of mere
ambition, be willing to quit its occupan-
v,
that when the assurances of partial
friends demonstrated what they thought
to be fattering prospects of my success,
Should l be a candidate / was led TO re-
gard the proposition with some degree of
favor. A careful canvass of the situation
now reveals to me what / consider a con-
ceded effort TO connect my suggested cam
didacy with what is believed to be the flu
ture political ambition of our present most
worthy executive, in other words that nv
candidacy for this office would be under
taken for and entirely subservient to the
furtherance of future political designs.
That this is wholly unworthy of consider
alton, and entirely untrue in fact, needs no
confirmation where the facts and circum-
stances are known. am perfectly candid
when l say that if Gov. Atkinson is look
ing forward to future political preferment,
] am not aware of the fact: but on the
contrary have understood his plans and
wishes to be to pursue the active practice
of his profession free from the cares and
Obligations of political office. Certain that
at no time has there ever been any agree
ment or understanding, arrangement or
undertaking direct or indirect which would
justify any imputation to this effect. such
suggestions may not have always been
made by disinterested parties
and presume the object of making them
can be well understood. ] am not certain
WiSthST inns may De considered legitima te
or not in a political contest but l am not
willing by any act of mine to place a
friend who has justly earned the good will
of the people of the state, and whose ad-
ministration has at least brought them
no discredit, in a position so inconsistent
with the dignity of the office which he
holds and his loyalty TO the party which
placed him there
Il have no fear that the people at large
would countenance the suggestion refer,
red 10, yet feel sure that the persistent
effort 10 have such an understanding gc
abroad, places both him and myself In q
position which neither of us do nor viii
occupy.
4 owe the people of Georgia much FOL
the honors they have given me. and have
endeavored in part to discharge this obi
cation by as faithful service as 1 couif
render. ] am not aware of anything II
my official care or which needs or can,
for explanation, nor have l sought politl
cal preferment at the sacrihc or expens,
of my friends. ! will not do so now no.
IN the future, and it is for this reason tha
] make this announcement in as publi,
a manner as my suggested candidacy ha.
been discussed
Thanking my friends. who have so gen
erously extended me their support an,
with the kindlest feeling toward the sew
eral gentlemen who have been mentione.