The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-03-19
MAY HAVE JOINT DEBATES.
ATKINSON AND HIS FRIENDS FA-
VOR THIS PLAN OF CAMPAIGN.

---' A-A--Af vi N-AhA -AA0Ns
Say They Want TO Get Col. Gambler
ON the StumD-AIr. Lawrence Talks
of the Executive Committee Meet
fng-CandIer Men Had Everything
in Their Favor and Then Only Had
a Bare Majority, He says-Atkin-
sons Friends wanted More Time
for Discussion.
Mr.. A. A. Lawrence returned yesterday
from Atlanta, where he attended the meet
ing of the Democratic state executive COM
mittee, of which he is a member The
committee is composed of two members
from each congressional district, and
twelve appointed by the chairman from
the state at large. making total member
ship with the chairman OF 35. There was
one absentee from the meeting Hon. f.
G. duBignon, who was elected chairman of
the committee to fill the unexpired term
of Senator Clay, whose resignation was
accepted. did not return, but is expected
to-day
Mr.. Lawrence is a nephew of Judge At
porter, though doubtless Judge Atkinson
would have had his support anyway as
Mr.. Lawrence is a strong believer in the
policy of bringing South Georgia men to
the front being one himself. When seen
by Morning News reporter, Mr.. Law
renee expressed himself as well satisfied
with the results of the meeting, though the
Gambler men were in the majority.
1.-THE Gambler members of the commit
tee were not the happiest men in the
world" said Mr.. Lawrence Consider
ing the fact that Col. Gambler has been
quietly preparing his campaign for
months and that twelve members of the
executive committee were personal friends
of the chairman, appointed by him, 1t be-
ing well known that Senator Clay was a
member OF the Gambler combination, they
naturally expected they would have en-
tire control of the committee, fully two
thirds at least Their faces grew very
long when they found how narrow the
margin was"
No fight was made on Mr.. duBignon,
Mr.. Lawrence said, as it was seen that
fight would be useless, his friends hav-
ing a clear majority in the committee
DSAAiC VI A4iS AllCHlDStSs however, express
ed their opposition to electing a sound
money man as chairman of the Demo-
cratic party. The convention which
meets June will elect a chairman for
the ensuing two years.
The date for the primaries, Mr.. Law
renee said, was not decided upon until
after long and somewhat acrimonious dis
CUSTOM The Gambler men wanted to fix
the date for May 6, while the Atkinson
and Berner men named July 6, urging
that full time should be allowed the cam
didates in which to discuss the issues
of the day before the people. Some of the
speakers charged that an effort was being
made to take snap judgment in favor of
Col. Candler.N June was finally agreed
upon as a compromise.
The effort TO shut off joint debate was
failure" said Mr. Lawrence, "and the
resolutions to this effect were laid upon
the table. As soon as Judge Atkinson
learned of the action of the committee he
promptly wrote both his opponents, sug-
costing that a committee of friends be
appointed by each to arrange a series of
debates between the candidates at various
points throughout the state"
II Mr.. Lawrence is in hopes that this
invitation will be accepted by the other
two candidates. That Mr.. Berner will ac-s
cept he has little doubt, but of Col. Can
dler's acceptance he is doubtful
The Gambler men, Mr.. Lawrence said
are already talking of a deadlock in the
convention, by reason of none Of the can
didates having a majority of the dele
gates. Mr.. Lawrence believes, of course
that Judge Atkinson will have a majority
on the first ballot.
Some steps will probably be taken to-
wards organizing the Atkinson strength
here to-day, but it has not been decided
yet whether it shall be in the form of a
club or whether some other form will be
given it,