The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-02-13
ATKINSON HAS ANNOUNCED.
THE BRUNSWICK MAN A CAN
DIDATE For GOVERNOR.


the Campnign-Their Calculation
Comedies North Georgia to Gambler
and south Georgia to Atkinson
Gov. Atkinson to Help the Judge
Meyerhardt Denies CnndIer's Let
ter Was CONFIDENTIAL.
Atlanta, Ca, Feb. 12.-Judge Spencer r,
Atkinson is now an announced candidate
for the Democratic nomination for Cover
nor
He SHE'D his castor into the ring this
afternoon, after careful study of the sit
uation, and will make an aggressive fight
for the prize against Col. Allen Gambler.
Judge Atkinson is at present a member
of the State Railroad Commission, while
Col. Gambler Is Secretary of State.
Judge Spencer Atkinson's announcement
brought some quick developments in the
situation. One OF these was the resignation
of Col. Gambler as Secretary of State. AZ
ter writing a statement explaining the
Meyerhardt letter, Col. Gambler held
conference with some of his advisers and
the outcome of this was the preparation
of a letter of resignation. This letter has
been mailed to Gov. Atkinson. He had not
received it late tonight, and It will not be
given TO the public until it comes from
him. 1t is understood that in IL Col. Cand-
Ter gives as his reason for resigning the
fact that his whole attention WALL be re-
qured by his campaign for Governor, now
that the opposition has concentrated and
put out a candidate against him.
1t is just possible that Col. Gambler and
his advisers believe that his resignation
will force that of Judge Atkinson from
the railroad commission earlier than 1t
might otherwise have taken place. Judge
Atkinson will doubtless resign in order to
devote himself to the campaign, but to
day, after his announcement, when he
was questioned about his course, he had
nothing to say. Mr.. Dunwoody, speaking
ing for him, said that this question had
not yet been taken up. The chances are
that things are being fixed for his success
sor When that is done his resignation
will be announced, If this theory is cor
rect.
Judge Atkinson's announcement for the
Governorship was made in the following
brief, self-written statement, which was
given out to the newspapers this after
noon: 81 have decided to become a can
dldate for the Democratic nomination for
Governor Within few days l will state
my views in regard to such matters as
may be pertinent to the campaign.
IS. r. Atkinson"
Hon. Harry Dunwoody of Brunswick,
one of Judge Atkinson's close friends, has
been here several days, together with
other prominent South Georgians con-
ferring with him. Mr.. Dunwoody was
present when the decision was reached and
the announcement given out. He viii
doubtless be the right hand man of Judge
Atkinson in his campaign. Judge Atkin-
sons candidacy is pitched on the theory
that he will have to make practically
no effort in South Georgia, just as North
Georgia Is considered as Secretary Can
der s without an effort.
Thus the battle will be fought out in the
middle section of the state, where Gov
Atkinson is the strongest. From this it
can be seen that his candidacy Is a STRAIT
egic move. 1t will not be denied that Gov.
Atkinson and his lieutenants Will back the
Brunswick man in his campaign.
Attorney General Joe Terrell retired
from the contest, saying In effect that the
Governor was a handicap to him, and this
may be true for he halls from Middle
Georgia himself and would not he as much
benefited by the Governors support as a
candidate from the coast.
Gov. Atkinson said when he returned
from Mexico that he had no personal in
terest in the coming campaign, when re-
ferring to the retirement of Col. Terrell.
He will not say this now, as he considers
that Col. Gambler has levelled an insult
at him and his friends, and he will go into
the fight at the back of Spencer Atkin-
son. determined to do his best for his
friend.
Judge Atkinson will not deny the Gov
ernor like Attorney General Terrell did,
but will go before the people prepared to
stand or fall with his endorsement and
active friendship. If he can muster the
strength that Is expected of him in South
Georgia, leaving the mountain counties TO
Col. Gambler and fighting only In the
fields of Middle Georgia, there is no doubt
that with the active help of Gov. Atkin-
son and his lieutenants he will stand a
much better chance of winning the prize
than the Gambler enthusiasts seem will
ing to admit at the present writing.
Although Judge Atkinson was defeated
for Congress when he ran against Henry
G. Turner eight years ago. his friends de-
clare that he is one of the strongest men
In the southern part of the state. Many
of the South Georgia leaders belong to
the sound money wing of the party and
for that reason are not available timber
now for state offices. Judge Atkinson is,
however, referred to as the original free
silver apostle in the state, having espous-
ed that cause in advance even of the
most orthordox sixteen to oners now. In
this respect, he may claim a little more
prestige than Col. Gambler, who LAYS
great stress in his platform upon his un-
faltering allegiance to the silver goddess
The Judge has a good record IN state
affairs from the legislature, upon the cir
cult DeHCn anu on Up TO the supreme
bench. He was but recently appointed to
the Railroad Commission by Gov. Atkin-
son. resigning from the Supreme bench to
accept the post. During his short career
in that position he has demonstrated again
that he possesses a high order OF ability.
He Is a very popular mani with his
friends and will undoubtedly have a
strong personal following In his cam
paign, which will be a brilliant one
The announcement OF Judge Atkinson's
candidacy is coupled with the famous
Gambler letter, which has been SO wide
ly discussed during the past few days in
the minds of many people. The popular
belief here Is that his announcement was
precipitated IL not forced by this letter
but Col. Candler's supporters declare
that the reverse is true. They say that
they have been aware for some time past
that there was a plot being hatched by |
"the men who CONTROL" with Judge AtIkin- |
son as a chief actor, and that instead
of Gamblers letter producing him as a |
candidate his candidacy produced the let |
ter
This letter will be made the rallying cry |
of the campaign. II will be used to divide |
the party into fractions, for all IL is |
worth, and Judge Atkinson'a friends think |
that Il Is worth a good deal
rr. 40. ba .fr