The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-02-13
GAMBLER OUT IN A LETTER.
The Secretary's Explanation of the
Boomerang EpistIe.


Atlanta, Ca, Feb. 12-Col Gambler this
afternoon gave out the following state
ment in reference to the Meyerhardt let
ter and alleged insult to Gov. Atkinson's
friends and administration:
Atlanta, Ga, Feb. u, 1S98.-To the Peo-
pie of Georgia. On my return to my Of
flee to-day from the sick bed of a near
relative, where l have been for two days,
1 find personal letter written by me sew
eral days ago has been printed and pa
raded in such a manner as to make it
proper for me to take public notice of it.
The construction attempted to be put on
the letter, and the base use made of it,
Is both unfair and unwarranted.
That l should have intended to wound
the large number of Democrats who hon
estly supported Gov Atkinson, when
had before me thousands of letters from
them urging me to become a candidate
for Governor is simply absurd and incredi-
BILE to any sensible man. Among these let
ters was one from Clarke county, a ma
jority of the signers of which were staunch
supporters of Gov. Atkinson, and to have
gratuitously offended them would have
been ungracious, not to say objectionable
folly. Nor have 1 at any time attacked
Gov. Atkinson or his admlnistrat ton.
81 wrote the letter under these ctrcum-
stances: 1 had letters from different parts
of the state and information given me per-
sonally in my office from men whose tudg-
ment thought was good, saying that in
certain counties in the state an effort
would be made to try and get snap judg
ment against meas they claim had been
done in other campaigns. l knew there
were active efforts on the part of certain
astute politicians here and elsewhere to
bring out opposition to me.
1T was not, therefore, expected by me
since my name had been mentioned as
probable candidate for Governor that
would be permitted to make the race with
out opposition, whatever my desire may
have been.
81 had been well posted as to the various
efforts that have been made to bring out
opposition to me by men who had certain
purposes to subserve, and by others who
wanted to put me in a position to be UNI
der obligations to them if / was elected.
81 made up my mind when first consid
cred the question of my candidacy to
make no promises, but to inquire of Demo-
Gratis throughout the state what they
thought of the suggestion of my candidacy,
and in my letter of inquiry briefly outlin-
ed the platform | would run on as candt-
date and what the people might expect of
me if elected. sent these letters all over
the state Unfortunately to supporters OF
Gov. Atkinson and Gen. Evans, and II L
overlooked any ii was those upon whom l
could rely on under any circumstances II
1 concluded to announce my candidacy. L
felt deeply hattered at the replies 1 re-
ceived.
Among the many letters and petitions
sent me was petition from Clarke coun-
ty, and after ] had fully deliberated on
the subject / concluded to answer all
these letters by answering that petition,
which l did. consenting TO make an an
fnv
ION the petition handed to me from
Clarke county were many names who l
knew were supporters of Gov. Atkinson,
as against Gen. Evans and even men who
had opposed me when l was the Demo-
cratic nominee for Congress from that dis
trict To suppose that would be indis-
Greet enough 10 Intentionally say anything
publicly or privately to attack those men
who had so honored me- no man would
Intimate who has been acquainted with
my life.
form the parties to whom they were writ
ten of certain facts, / deemed 1t proper
for them to know and to inform them that
7 would not tolerate IN this campaign ary-
thing of the kind of which my CORE
spondents had given me notice. I was
perhaps more specific than would have
been necessary had l not been answering
specifc complaints made in the personal
letters received by me, and the lang ldge
used has been purposely perverted to give
offense where none was intended
ut is not my desire TO open any old
sores. l want the party harmonious and
united and this can only be accomplished
through fair and honest methods. do not
want the office of Governor by any other
means, nor do wish it for any other pur
poses than to serve the people honestly
and faithfully. | will certainly not at
tempt to interfere with a free expression
of the peoples choice, nor will I, if elected,
seek to dictate to them who my successor
shall be. Allen d. Gambler"