The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-06-10
STATE CHEMIST IN HOT WATER
NEsBITT's FRIENDS ACCUSE HIM OF
TnEACHERY.

Is Alleged to Have Assured Col. Nes-
bitt He Would DO Everything Pos
sibIe to Aid His Recollection and to
Have Mt the Same Time Promised
Mr.. stevens to Carry for Him the
Counties in Which He Was InIiu-
entiaI-Dr. Payne Now to BE Given
Cold Shoulder by Both.
Atlanta Ga, June 9.-The nomination Of
o. B. Stevens for commissioner of agri-
culture and the defeat of Col. r. T. Mes
bltt has developed a sensation in the de-
partment OF agriculture which bids far
10 cost DR.. George F. Payne, state chem
list, his job.
Col. Nesblft and the attaches of his Of
fee, to a man, are exceedingly wroth at
DR.. Payne's conduct IN the recent cam
paign and his decapitadon Is being urged
on all sides.
According TO the story told by Col. Mes
bits friends, and verified by Col. Stevens
himself Or. Payne. who was appointed by
Col. NesbHt eight years ago and has
drawn over $4,000 out of the state treasury
by virtue OF his office, went back on his
benefactor In the recent campaign in the
hope of keeping his fat place.
Col. Nesbitt says he was assured by DR..
Payne that he would aid him 10 the limit
of his ability and influence in his fight
AT the same time Mr.. Stevens says that
DR.. Payne came TO him a couple of months
ago and announced that he intended to re-
main neutral in the fight, and would be
an applicant for reappointment ia Mr. Ste
vens was elected.
Dr. Payne, to make himself solid with
Mr.. Stevens enumerated list of coun-
ties which he said he could control. He
assured Mr.. Stevens, however, that he
would not use this influence against him
provided he might stand on an equal foot
ing with other applicants for the chemists
position.
According to Mr. Stevens statement he
made no promise to DIR. Payne further
than to assure him that he had not agreed
to appoint any one else.
During the campaign DR.. Payne held
several conferences with Mr.. Stevens dis
cussing his campaign, while at the same
time Col. Nesbitts friends say he was In
their confidence also.
On the Saturday before the election Col
Nesbitt personally requested DR. PAYNE to
do certain work for him on election day
in Atlanta, so the story which is now the
sensation of the capitol goes DR. Payne
excused himself and instead insisted upon
going to Houston county
When the returns came in all the coun-
ties in which Mr.. Payne claimed to have
a controlling influence, including Houston.
We're found In the Stevens column
Immediately following the announcement
of the result of the election, Dr. Payne
put In a personal application for reap
pointment under Mr. Stevens, and began
an active campaign among his friends to
get endorsement.
This capped the climax at the agricultu-
raj department and for the past few days
the air has been sulphurious there.
Col. Nesbitt't frneds openly declare that
he was betrayed by DR.. Payne and are
urging that he be fired Instanter
Col. Nesbitt has expressed himself in no
very mild terms on the disclosures, and
when he returns from his farm some lively
developments are looked for
Col. Stevens has said to friends since the
developments of DR.. Payne's alleged du-
plicity sufficient to warrant the prediction
that he will not reward him for his con-
duct, though the chemist is piling up en-
dorsements for the position.