The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-06-19
WILLINK MAY HAVE TO GO.
ABOLITION OF HIS OFFICE THE IS
SUE OF THE CAMPAIGN.

gestion Reported TO Have Been
FavOrabIy Received BY Liberal
Leaders - Tfedeman, ABcDOnOugh
and LaROche Suggested As IA Com
bination Ticket-WiIIinl1' Friends
Say They VIII Not submit TO Any
such Arrangement - Anoi-Lfberal-
ties VIII Put Out "A Full Ticket.
There will be two full tickets in the field
for the primary next Thursday. The cleo
ton promises to hinge on a question that
up to yesterday had not been discussed
publicly that of the abolition of the Of
flee of Commissioner of Public Works In
all probability the only issue before the
voters will be whether Commissioner VIII
link should go or not.
On this issue the campaign promises to
be one of the liveliest, as it will certainly
be the briefest that Chatham county has
ever known. Already the clouds are gath
ering force, and within the next day they
may be expected to break. Then the polit-
zeal fur may be expected to fly In earn
est.
The new fight, or rather the renewal
of an old fight on new lines, had its ori-
gin in further attempts at the mainte-
ance of harmony by compromise. AS far
as can be ascertained the latest idea CT
harmony and compromise had as it's hub
the abolition of Commissioner WIllink's
job as a peace offering to all who are OPP
posed to either the office or the incuH
bent, and was precipitated by the ugly
feelings aroused at the recent meeting CT
the executive committee.
Hon. Fleming G. duBignon is generally
credited with having sought TO
bring about a compromise between the
two factions on this line. As the story
goes and there Is every reason to believe
that the details are correct, Mr.. duBig-
non, on his return to the city yesterday,
was surprised to find that all his efforts
at the establishment of harmony had APP
parently been to no purpose. Discord was
already rife where he had expected white
winged peace. Mr.. duBignon, as IS weh
known, has been one of the chief advo-
Gates for compromising all differences in
the party locally, If possible. 1t was
largely, probably mainly, through his er-
forts that the compromise arrange
ment was perfected, under which
the present executive commit
tee was elected. 1t was evidently
believed by him as soon as he reached
home and studied the situation that the
again.
Mr.. duBlgnon is understood to have at
once conferred with two or three or per
haps more, conservative leaders of the old
Citizens Club faction, and gone over the
situation with them carefully. AS a result
the conclusion, judging from the results,
appears to have been reached that COM
promise was not only advisable but neces-
cary to save the party here from prolonged
future chickering's. The basis of a compro-
mise, as these gentlemen saw 1t, was APP
parently a Willingness to allow the office
of Commissioner Public Works to be legis-
lated out OF existence as early as possible.
IT is said that this idea was advanced by
one of those whom Mr.. duBignon saw and
while not actually indorsed was recog-
nized by the others as being probably the
only basis on which a satisfactory COM
promise could be made with the Liberal
Club faction. By consenting to the wip-
ing out of Commissioner Willink as a
city official it seems to have been be-
leved that a contest could be avoided, all
the other commissioners saved from at
tack. and new era of harmony estab-
lished. In other words, the idea seemed to
have taken root that the Office of Commits
sioner of Public Works was the chief
bone of contention between the factions,
and that with it removed from existence,
all would be blissful peace.
This suggestion Of a compromise appears
some Liberal Club leaders, who became
acquainted with the personal efforts that
were afoot TO prevent a bitter contest at
the coming primary. They were, as the
generally accepted story goes willing to
meet the opposition in such an arrange
ment. The suggestion that appears to
have met with most favor was for the old
Citizens Club faction to have the head of
the legislative ticket, and the Liberals the
other TWO, distinct agreement TO be en-
tered into that the only legislation affecting
the commissions should be that directed
at the Commissioner of Public Works.
No opposition should be made to the abol-
ishment of that Office, if the suggested
compromise was carried out. The par
ties TO the compromise should put out
Tor the legislature men of high character
AS ticket that would appeal to the pub
lie, and which could be depended on to
carry out any agreement entered into be-
tween the factions, Messrs. ]. B. Tiede-
man, John J. McDonough and Walter La
Roche were suggested the former TO rep
resent the Citizens Club faction, the lat
ter two the Liberal Club faction.
The matter of such compromise is I'M
derstood TO have been brought to the at
tention of Commissioner Willink by one
of his strongest political friends The sit
uation was laid before him. Mr. Willinx
is understood to have called in a number of
political friends and laid The matter before
them.
IF it is believed by you that 1t is for the
best interests of our party, as a whole,
that l give up my office. then I am willing
10 do So" he is quoted as having said. IF
on the other hand, you think it Is
for the best interests of the party that
all such compromises be refused and the
light made, then l am with you to fg1t.
The opinion Of Commissioner Wllinlx's
friends seems to have been that il would
be unjust to him personally, ana suicidal
10 the party, TO accept such compromise
as that suggested. No definite conclusion
was reached at this conference. During
the afternoon 1t appears that efforts were
made TO feel the sentiment of a large num-
Der of voters. This appears to have re-
suited satisfactory TO Commissioner Will
link and his friends. Last
night another meeting of a
number of his political friends was held
10 consider the matter, and it was the de-
cided opinion of them all that no such
compromise should be considered and that
the fight should be made to the bitter end
His friends insisted that it would be Of
fering up Mr.. Willlnk as a sacrifice and
they would not consent 10 il.
A majority Of the auu-Iiberal Club
executive committee were seen and asked