The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-02-12
DAILY SO A YEAR.
CENTS A COPY.
WEEKLY 2-TIMES-A-W EEK 81 A YEAH
MAY TAKE UP MAYOR MELDRIM
GOV. ATTIINsONs FRIENDS yERY
SORE ON COL. GAMBLER.

The Letter TO Judge Myerhardt
Causing n Political WhIrlwind-
The EpIstIe Marked Personal, and
the Judge Coming in for sOme
Criticism on Account of It's Publl-
cation-Editor Knowles said He
Got IL from the Recipient.
Atlanta, Ga, Feb. 1.-THE letter of Col.
Allen Gambler to Judge Max Meyerhardg
of Rome, which somehow or other came
into the hands of the editor of the Rome
Tribune, and was by him given to the pub
lie, is stll the political sensation of the
day.
The fact that the letter was addressed
to Judge Meyerhardt, who was chairman
of the Rome Evans Club four years ago,
was published here for the first time to-
day.
The Morning News was the first paper
In the state to discover the identity of tne
recipient of the famous letter, and the
manner in which the name of Judge Mty-
erhardt leaked out would make good
story of itself The editor of the Tribune
was supposed to be the only person who
knew to whom Col. Gambler had address,
ed this hot episte, and he was as mum
NANNA--@ ~t@H
he would, never diyulge the name of lhe
man who was responsible for the pubIica-
tlon.
Last night, at the manufacturers BAN
auet however. there was another gentle-
man who was in the secret having secured
his information at this end of the l.ne
from Col. Gambler himself. The gentleman
patronized the punch bowl so assidpously
that he soon became very confidential with
his neighbor at the table and In the course
of his confidence gave away the secret OF
the letter. Later on this revelation was ver-
flied in another source, so that there Is no
doubt that Judge .Meyerhardt is the per-
son TO whom the Secretary of State unbos-
omed himself in reference to The Men
Who Control.'
The letter was marked personal, and ON
this account Judge Meyerhardt is being
soundly criticised for allowing 1t to be pub
lished.
From what Col. Candler's friends say, ID
seems that there was a trap set for him.
They say that the Rome gentleman first
wrote Col. Gambler in such a vein as TO in
vte just such reply as he got, and 1t 10
insnuated- that all this was done for
purpose If there Is any truth in this In
slnuation it does not take a very smart
politician to see that Col. Gambler played
into the hands of the opposition better than
they could reasonably have hoped for
When Col Gambler wrote the letter he
naturally supposed that he was addressing
q devoted supporter, otherwise he wouid
never have used such picturesque lan-
guage in describing the campaign of four
years ago.
Judge Meyerhardt is regarded as a Lead
ing citizen Of Rome. He has always taxi
en- a more or less prominent part in poll
tics and has been in some warm places,
but Il is doubtful IL he was ever before
In Just as close a hole as he will now find
himself unless he has an explanation that
will completely exculpate him from the re-
sponslbility of giving Col. Candlers letter
TO the press. About the only way he could
| do this would be 20 show that 1t had been
| stolen from him, and in what event Editor
| Knowles of the Tribune would
have to shoulder the load,
as he stated in publishing
the letter that it had been furnished him
by the recipient, who was thoroughly
responsible
There Is no doubt that the publication
| OF the letter has had the effect of draw
| ing out the opposition to Col. Gambler
! It has angered Gov. Atkinson's friends
no little, and II is quite safe to predict that
| II a candidate can be secured the Governor
! will go into the fight to play for even
| with the little Secretary of State for what
| he considers an unwarranted Insult TO
| him and all who supported him.
| The Governor has received number
| OF letters and messages to-day pledging
| support in a campaign against Col. Cand-
| Ter with the letter Which cnafgeu the At
! kInson men with "raping'' the Democratic
| marty four years ago as the battle
| crv one of these letters received to-day
was signed by twenty-five citizens or
Granville who characterize COL can
| dfer'g reference to the Atkinson forces as
"infamous" and Insulting" Gov. At
kinson himself calls 1t an Insult and re-
fers to Col. Candler's position as an ef-
| fort to outlaw all who supported him. he
| saws he is sorry that he has undertaken
| to reopen old sores and Is evidently In a
mood to organize forlorn hope II need be
| TO resent the insult.
There is a good deal of anti-Candler talk
/ here now, and many who indulge In II de-
| clare that there is a good chance TO de-
| feat the one-eyed plow boy yet. Among
| the new names mentioned TO lead the fight
| against him, is that OF ex-Gov. Boynton
| of Spalding. He has not developed any
particular boom" yet, however.
Judge Spencer Atkinson continues to be
watched closely, and until he says some-
| thing definite on the subject 1t is not likely
/ that the opposition to Col. Gambler will be-
/ gin TO crystalize around any one else. IL
| Judge Atkinson should run he would un-
doubtedly be supported earnestly by that
element who have taken offense at Col.
| Gamblers letter.
Mayor Meldrim of Savannah is also talk
ed of good deal and has host OF
friends who would rally to him with
will if he would consent to make the race
South Georgia is the section that is look
ed to TO furnish the man for the fray, who-
| ever he may be.
| GAMBLER HURRYINGs BACK