The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-02-20
SAM JONES FOR GOVERNOR.
EVANGELIST TO RUN As AN INDIE
PENDENT CANDIDATE.

He Says He VIII PrOmuIEate His
Platform on MOnday-Belief EX-
pressed in Some Quarters That He
Could Get the Votes of POpulists,
ProhibitiOnists and Many Church
People-CandIer to Insist on
White Primary.
Atlanta, Ga, Feb. 19.-Sam Jones, the
noted evangelist. is the latest entry into
the Gubernatorial race. He made his an
nouncement this afternoon, and to-mor-
row is billed for a sermon" at the big
Moody tabernacle in this city
He said. when asked over the telephone
this afternoon, that he did not intend to
talk politics at to-morrow's meeting, but
his announcement for Governor will give
him a packed house just the same.
The evangelist's entry has created a
sensation here. Tonight it was the all
absorbing topic of the political situation
about the hotels. Some regard it as a
joke or a bid for advertising, while others
believe Mr.. Jones means business.
He declined to give out much in tie
way of an interview to-day but declared
he was going to run for Governor, and
would print his platform Monday. Wheth-
er he intends to run as a Democrat or
Populist, Prohihitionist or independent he
declined to say in advance of his formal
address to the people.
His candidacy was promulgated by the
following telegram received like thunder
bolt from a clear sky at the Journal Office
this afternoon.
Gainesville, Ga, Feb. ID arrived here
early this morning from an extended tour,
and after going hurriedly through my
mail and seeing the great pressure on
all sides and consulting no one but my
self and wife have, upon mature DELHI
GRAFTON, decided to announce myself as
q candidate for Governor of Georgia, with
the assurance that l will not be the hind
dog in the race. 10 ask the public
to await further announcements of my
platform and plans, reasons and regrets.
Sam p. Jones'"
Those who take the evengelists an
nouncement seriously think he will be a
formidab Bile competitor for the honor. They
figure il out that he will run independent
on a Sam Jones' platform and will
get the support of Prohibitonists, Popu-
lists. church people and the class who
are most devoted attendants upon his
meetings.
If he really intends to get into the
game he will certainly make a lively time
The state would be treated to the most
picturesque contest of the generation. One
of Sam Jones' sayings is that he hates
a dull time" and there is no doubt that he
would do all he could to dispel the ennui
of the contest, and in the language of
the yellow kid what he could do on the
stump would be a plenty"
lAs intimated in these dispatches several
days ago, Col Gambler will insist upon a
white primary when the executive COM
mittee meets next month to arrange for
the convention. When questioned on this
line this afternoon, he replied: Yes, most
assuredly, unequivocally and loudly. il 1
am not the choice of the white voters of
the state, would not accept the Governor
ship Rather than do so l. would go to
Mexico and shovel dirt on railroad beside
a Mexican greaser. When l say white
primary, I mean a white primary. II the
Populists want to vote in this primary,
they must be allowed to do so If they agree
to support the nominee. Yes, sir, 1 want
white Democratic primary conducted in
every county in the state on the same day.
] have received great many letters from
an parts of the state, and the majority are
from South Georgia. They all assure me
the support of their counties
There were many rumors of new candi-
dates to-day. One was that ]. c. C.
gentleman telegraphed a denial of the re-
port during the afternoon.
Judge Atkinsons stock was given a big
boost locally by the publication of a list
of 500 prominent citizen calling for a meet
ing to organize an Atkinson club next
Monday night Judge Atkinson has de-
veioped unexpected strength here and al
though this is the center of the Gambler
boom. hestands fine showing to get Full
ton in the primary.
Following Mr.. Berners announcement
Gov. Atkinson was quoted this afternoon
as saying Col Gambler is already a beaten
candidate though it remains to be seen
who will get the plum. When asked as
TO the authenticity of this statement the
Governor said he had said nothing of the
kind for publication. He believes it Just
the same, and probably expressed the
thought in private conversation.
GARRARD THINKING 1T OVER