The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-09-04
Politics in the state.

1
! It seems to be about impossible to get up
any excitement in politics in this state this
year. The Popu.lsts are not making a
campaign that is attracting attention,
even from their own friends. Mr.. Hogan
! began his speech-making tour with a
charge against Senator Clay which, for a
day or two, aroused little interest, but
1t was soon discovered that it had no sub
stantial foundation. The charge did Seua-
tor Clay no harm and it didn't cause the
Democratic party to lose any OF it's mem
bers. If any body was damaged by it, Mr..
Hogan was the sufferer No doubt level
headed Populists wondered how he could
have allowed himself to make such a
charge without first finding out whether
or moi he could sustain it If 1t were denied.
BY failing to sustain the charge he placed
himself in a very unpleasant position. He
must feel that he has lost ground with his
own party.
As a matter Of fact the Populists have
been failing away from their party for
quite a long time We shall be very much
surprised if that party casts half as many
votes this fall as IL did two years ago.
There is no enthusiasm in its ranks. The
impression that it creates is that it is
party of the past. Mr.. Hogan, If our re-
ports are correct, is not greeted by large
and enthusiastic audiences. Indeed, he finds
it difficult 10 get an audience. The people
do not seem 70 think that he has a mes
sage to deliver that is of any particular in
terest to them. No one would be surprised
if he should practically abandon the cam
paleu. 1t is certain that he is accomplish
ing nothing.
In some of the counties the Populists are
making a little stir. The local Offices en-
courage therA to activity. But 1t would
mean nothing if they should elect a mem
Der of the legislature here and there. In
a few counties which pay in state taxes
less than they get from the state treasury
in pensions and school money, they may
capture some of the local offices, but such
victories viii not be an indication that the
Popullst party has a future in this state.
In the Eleventh congressional district
the PopuHst leaders are going to try to get
the Popuists to support a Republican can
didate for Congress, but there are no in
uicduQnS lnat they Will meet WIN any
considerable success. A Republican and
PopuHst are as wide apart as the poles in
their political beliefs. Therefore, those
Populists who support the Republican can
didate, viii do so probably simply because
they hate the Democratic party. That sort
of feeling doesn't count for much in a
political campaign. Principles win not po-
lltical animosities. The Democratic candi-
date for Congress in the Eleventh district
represents the principles which are very
generally approved by the Populists, and
It is pretty safe to predict that he WIZ get
the votes of a majority of the Populists
Of the district.
The Democrats wan have a walk over
this year 1t isn't necessary for Col. Cand-
Ter to address the people of the different
counties. If he were to go home and re-
main there he would be elected by an over
whelnling majority. He believes 1t to be
his duty. however, to address as many of
the people az he can, and therefore he
win continue making speeches until the
day Of election.