The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-01-16
Let the omce Seek the Man.

We said couple of weeks ago that it
was too early to begin the campaign for
Governor, that Governor hardly be-
comes accustomed to his surroundings
and duties before candidates who want to
succeed him present their claims. and that
the politicians, in their eagerness for Of
flee, permit the people to have very lit
tie time for anything else than politics
Notwithstanding the fact that the state
Democratic Convention will not meet for
five or six months candidates for the
Democratic nomination for Governor are
telling the people through the newspapers
and in other ways what great things they
would do for them and the state if they
should be elected Governor. The agents
Of each Of them are busy at work in the
different counties trying to secure dele
gates to the convention favorable to their
respective candidates. For this condition
of affairs the newspapers, to a consdera-
bic extent, are to blame, because the
most OF them are ready and willing to
play the tunes for which the candidates
furnish the notes, and the candidates do
not neglect a chance to get their music
to the ears of the people
Would it not be a good thing for the
state to let the Office, for once, seek the
man? We have nothing to say In dispar-
agement of any of the gubernatorlal can
didates, either those who have announced
their candidacy or those who have not,
but If we are not mistaken most, if not
all, of them are seeking the governorship
as stepping stone to the United States
Senate. Assuming that such is the case
the one who succeeds in getting the Of
flee of Governor will be the head of a
political ring or clique, and the most of
his time will be occupied in strengthening
this ring in order that 1t may be highly
serviceable when the fight for the sena-
torship comes on. Appointments viii be
made not on account of merit, but for
ability to do effective political work. Leg
islation will be so shaped as to strengthen
the ring. The interests of the people will
be neglected, and regarded as of secon-
dairy consideration.
1t has been said frequently that the
Governor of Georgia has nothing, practi-
cally, TO do. There is a great deal he
could do that would be of incalculable
benefit to the people. Among other things
he could shape nearly all legislation of
the highest Importance. By studying
carefully the questions relating to taxa
ton, immigration, public schools and
manufacturing he could have a policy in
respect to these and other matters which
the legislature would adopt, if he should
succeed in winning the confidence of the
people in his sincerity ana ability. There
is plenty for the Governor to do, but he
cannot do all there is to do and all he
ought TO do and play an exciting game
of politics at the same time. Therefore,
1t would be an interesting and valuable
experience for the people, IT, for once, the
Office should seek the man. There are
many men in the state who are not poll
ticians nor Office seekers who could fill
the Office of Governor much more salts
faetorily than any politician could, and
1t would not be difficult to nominate such
man If the people would ignore the
court house cliques and send delegates
to the state convention Instructed to
nominate a man of that sort move
ment in behalf of a candidate of the kind
would be popular.