The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-05-03
GORDON NOT TO BE A GENERAL.
CAUCUS RECOMMENDS COL. WIGHT
FOR APPOINTMENT.

The Two Senators Meet WIN inc
Georgia Delegation in the Hover
House in the Caucus-Represent
tive AdamSon Looked UpOn Him
self as in Honor Bound Not to Sup
oort Any one in Opposition to Gov.
2 Atkinson.
WASHINGTON. May Petty politics may
prevent the state of Georgia from draw
ing one of the army prizes. The compe-
tjtton over the brigadier generals com
missions has become so sharp, and in some
Instances so bitter. as to embarrass the
President in making suitable selections.
Since the Presidents call for Volun-
teers the impression has been general ct
the war department that Georgia would
secure a brigadler generals commission,
and Col. w. w Gordon, of-SSavannah, was
conceded 10 be the most available man
for recognition. His appointment was
urged by many of the leading men OF tie
state without regard to party factions.
Senator Bacon, Representative Lester and
Other. Georgians pressed the name of Col.
Gordon upon the President and Secretary
Alger A number of other desirable gen.
tlemen from Georgia were also mentioned
in connection with a brigadier generals
commission.
Some of the members of the delegation,
inspired by jealousy of the prominence
Senator Bacon was acquiring in behalf
of Col. Gordon, proceeded to antagonize
the latter's selection. The President and
,xrief 1ai11
ponents of Col. Gordon until more than a
half dozen Georgia Richmonds were in the
field.
The contest waxed so warm that the
delegation was at skies and sevens on the
subject. Finally a caucus of the dele
cation was suggested and prior TO the
assembling of the caucus all the indica-
tons pointed to the selection of Col. Cor
don.
The discussion took a wide political
range, and it was evident that Representa-
tive Griggs was playing state politics with
Senator Bacon. The personal popularity
of Judge Griggs had its effect upon ma
jority of the delegation, and he won them
over to the support of his friend, Col
Wight
Secretary Alger, when informed of the
action of the delegation, remarked that
'Srhe President, and not the Georgia DEL
egation, viii make the appointments" He
also intimated that the President would
not be controlled by the Georgia caucus.
The meeting was held in the room Of
the House committee on rivers and har-
bors Col Lester, as the senior member In
point of service, presided. At the outset
il was stated as positive that the only
chance to secure the appointment of a
hrigadier general to Georgia was for the
delegation to agree on some candidate.
Both senators and three representatives
conferred with the President and the Sec
rotary of War this morning, and they
We're given to understand that the only
possibility of the appointment of Geor-
gian was that the delegation should agree
upon some suitable person.
Secretary Alger also stated that the
person selected by the delegation must be
a man with military training and expert
ence. and that in no case would a civilian
be appointed to an important position.
Ii was because of these declarations that
there must be unity Of action that it was
finally agreed to have conference,
which would be In the nature of a caucus,
and the man receiving majority of the
votes should be the choice of the delega-
ton Both of the senator's and all of the
representatives, except Judge Adamson,
AGREED to this.
After the meeting had been called to or
der there was informal discussion of the
merits of the several candidates, and then
Judge Adamson made a statement declin-
ing to allow the Governors name to go
before the caucus, stating that he would
not put the Governor in the attitude of
entering upon any scramble for
the position. He said he was
authorized by the Governor TO unite
with such members and senators as desired
TO cooperate in rendering to the President
his services in the capacity of brigadier
general volunteers.
II have done that" said Judge Adamson,
"since learning that other eminent Geor-
ezians have desired commissions as briga-
der general, the Governor has advised me
that he wishes to enter no contest for sup
port in the matter but having rendered his
services he is content to leave the matter
entirely in the hands of the President"
Continuing. Judge Adamson said: THE
Governor is the commander-in-chtefo of the
Georgia militia ana sometime ago gave no.
tice Of his intention to take the field in case
Georgia troops were called out. l do not
feel thai under the circumstances, the
Governor ought 10 be antagonized and
could not consent TO ask the President TO
reject his tender of services in the interest
of myself or any friend who might aspire.
This attitude 1 would hold regardless of
the personel of the incumbent of the Gov
ernor's office, if he were reasonably COM
potent for the duties of the command. No
reason for making an exception in this
case appears either from superior fitness
of the other applicants or from any deli
cheney in the qLs lities of the present Gov
ernor These considera tons actuate my
conduct and are not designed 10 control or
reflect on the course of any other gentle
man The tender of the Governors services
being in the hands of the President, l am
not al liberty to consider the claims of any
other candidate"
For this reason the Governors name was
not presented. Five other prominent Geor-
CLANS were ballotted for. They were Col.
Wight of Albany, Col. Gordon of Savan-
nah. Col Mcbride Of Atlanta Col Wiley
OF Macon and Col. Varnadoe of Naldosta.
on the first ballot the vote stood: Gordon,
g. Wight 3; Mcbride, l; Wiley, /; Varna
zoe, :.
There were three other ballots without
change.
1t had been decided after the third that
the lowest man on the next ballot would
he dronred and accordingly on the final