The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-03-18
GAMBLER MEN IN CONTROL.
JUNE FIXED FOR PRIMARY AND
DU BIGNON THE CHAIRMAN.


biIity That Fight VIII Be Made
TO Gust MIR. duBiEnOn-State Com
vention to he Held June 29-Com-
mittee Declares Against Joint De-
bates.
Atlanta. Ga, March 1.-THE Democrat
fc state executive committee had a stormy
session of it to-day. There was an I'M
rnistakable lining up of the Gambler and
anti-Cardler forces before the committee
was called TO order by Chairman Clay ard
throughout the proceedings this division
remained.
ON the Gambler side there were eighteen
votes and on the side of the opposition
only sixteen, so the Gambler forces had ev-
erything their own way. though the other
side vigorously and sometimes bitterly
contested every point.
The Gambler men, or some of them,
openly declared their allegiance to the
Secretary of State, though denying that
their actions were influenced in the least
by that.
Boykin Wright of Augusta was one of
the most conspicuous Gambler leaders, be-
ing chairman of the committee on resolu-
lions, and in his speeches he declared
proudly that he was Gambler man.
The fight that was waged against the
programme laid out by the Gambler forces
in reference to fixing dates for the prima-
~ and convention, was continued with in
creased vigor when 1t came TO the cleo
ton of new chairman to succeed Senator
Clay, who resigned.
Mr. duBignon of Savannah was chosen.
according to the slate made up in advance,
but the other side made a vigorous protest
against him, on account of his sound
money record. There was no objection to
him on any other ground.
1t was charged openly that the selection
of Mr. duBignon was in the teeth of the
state convention, which would never have
accepted gold standard man for that po-
sition, and from present indications, Mr..
duBignon will have to fight for the place
If he expects to retain 1t after the meeting
of the next convention, unless there is
mighty revulsion of opinion. Pipes are al
ready being laid to overthrow him.
The anti-Candler men charge in the COM
mittee that there was a combination or
slate that had been fixed up before the
meeting and that the election of Mr.. du-
Bignon as chairman was part of the deal,
the Savannah man having aligned himself
with the Gambler element.
One of the interesting incidents of the
election of Mr. duBignon was the indorse-
ment which he received at the hands of
Editor Howell of the Constitution, who,
upon the floor, declared that although he
had differed with the Savannahian widely
for some years, he was now just as good
a Democrat as anyone, having supported
the nominees of the Chicago convention,
and was, therefore, an appropriate man
for chairman of the state committee elect
ed by free silver convention.
Carrying out the same line the commit
tee, in its resolutions, let down the bars
10 everybody who processes to be DEM
ocrat, and makes no effort to prescribe
those who might have wandered away
from the fold on account of the silver
question
The anti-Candler faction is already pre-
pairing to go out and proclaim snap judg-
ment. They fought in the committee to
have the date of the primary fixet for July
6, while the Gambler men were for June 6,
which prevailed. June 6, the opposition de-
clares, will not allow them time TO COM
plete a canvass of the state, and on the
floor it was urged that the early date NAM
ed by the Gambler men would produce
great friction in the party. 1t was argued
that never before when there was a con-
test on hand had the committee called a
convention so early as June 20, with pri-
maries on June 6, that two years ago,
when the primary was held on June 6,
there was no contest for the nomination,
and therefore no necessity of allowing
time for the people to hear and see all the
candidates
The opposition charged that Col Cand-
Ter has been running on the quiet for
many months, and therefore 1t was I'M
just to the others to cut them off without
an opportunity to make a thorough can
vass of the state.
There was considerable bitterness exhib-
tied, and il is quite sure that the opposi-
ton will make the most out of the early
date set by the Gambler men, as well as
the fact that there was an alleged under
standing by which they took up Mr. du-
Bignon, a goldbug, and made him chair
man. 1t is but fair to Mr. duBignon, how
ever, TO say that in accepting the chair
manship he declared in ringing words that
he would not have taken the craftsmanship
except that he was in full accord with
every officially declared principle of the
Democratic party, and believed the poor
est platform that party ever made was
better than the best of any opponent.
Letters from all three of the candidates
for Governor were read to the committee.
Col. Gambler in his communication urged
the committee to give his opponents am
pie time to make their canvass of the
state. He did not want the nomination
except he got it by open, fair means,
and cautioned his friends to give no cause
for complaint.
Both Judge Atkinson and Mr.. Berner,
in their letters, Joined In the request that
the primary should be held in every coun-
ty on the same day, but they urged that
plenty of time should be given all to get
their claims fully before the people
The anti-Candler forces made an effort
TO prevent the election of Mr.. duBignon
as chairman by calling upon Senator Clay
to remain, but this would not work Here
are the resolutions adopted, a minority
report providing for July being defeat
ed:
RESOLVED, first that a Democratic pri-
mary for state house officers be held in
all the several counties of the state on
the 9th Of June, 1898, for the purpose of
nominating the candidates for the of.
fees of Governor. Secretary of State
Controller General, Commissioner of Ag.
riculture, School Commissioner and State
Treasurer.
Second, that at said nominating pri.
mary the several candidates for the nom.
ination be voted for directly by the people