The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-01-24
POLITICAL PRIZE FIGHT ON.
M'DONOUGH AND MYERS MEET IN
THE RING TODAY.


VictOr-PoIiticians Labor Unceas-
ingIy and Both sides Confident of
Wilmington Agreement Which
May save Friction at the Court
House This neutrality-suspicious.
Factions to Line IN side by Side.
Mayor MeIdrim's Assurance That
order VIII BE Preserved.
The political prize fight which comes off
to-day at the court house, the stakes in
which are the control of the city govern
ment for the ensuing two years, will be
almost the sole center OF interest with
the people of Savannah Practically the
whole male population will be gathered
at the ringside during all or part of
the day. and the interest will not cease
until time is called at O'Clock p. m. The
guardians of the law will be on hand
10 see that the rules Of the game are en-
forced and each side is well equipped TO
take care OF itself in any little differences
that may arise among the spectators. The
fight is to a finish, and there is no referee
TO declare a foul before the bout is com
pleted.
The politicians hustled increasingly al
of yesterday Business was a matter OF
secondary consideration with many, who
usually have little time for anything else.
Workers came and went in streams from
the Offices of the leaders of the opposing
factions and on the streets there was talk
of little else but the approaching election
and the probable results. Each side had
numerous advocates, all of whom pro-
claimed unce asingly the certainty of the
success of their candidate. There was
considerable talk of betting, and the par
tisans of each side endeavored to give the
impression that the other side was allow
ing odds in their favor. As matter OF
fact, the confidence of the two parties and
their betting proclivlties seemed to be
practically on a level. The only large bet
heard of during the day was strictly a
party bet, $1,000 being placed by the Nc
Donough people with a well known house
on Broughton street, where such bets are
usually made About an hour later the
money was covered by the Myers people
A syndicate on each side is supposed 10
have furnished the money.
AS a matter of fact. there has never been
an election In recent years in which each
side seemed so fully confident of success.
The leaders on each side seemed assured
of the success of their mayoralty candi-
date AS TO the aldermanic ticket the
opinion is freely expressed by those who
are in position to judge, that there Will be
a divided board, nor does this seem 10
be anticipated with any degree of regret.
It is possible, however, that candidates cut
on their own ticket may recover their
losses by support given them on personal
grounds from members of the opposition,
and for this reason the election of
straight ticket is not entirely out of the
question.
An agreement was entered into yesterday
by Mr.. NJ. A. O'Byrne, representing the
Liberal Club, and Mr.. w. w. Osborne,
representing the supporters of Mr.. Myers,
that instead of each party attempting to
capture the polls this morning for the pur-
pose of controlling the doubtful vote,
double line should be formed at each box,
composed of a single line from each side
and that votes should be taken alternately
from each line. This agreement was en-
tered into in good faith, and appears to
be happy solution Of a situation that
otherwise might result in serious trouble
Each faction had planned to rally its work
ers and supporters at places of rendez-
vous last night with the intention of
marching to the polls shortly after mid
night and taking possession. The advan-
tage of such move, when successful, was
well Illustrated in the election two years
dSo OHutE Aile agreement MADE by
Messrs. Osborne and O'Byrne the two sides
are not to bring their forces TO the polls
until o'clock this morning, when they
are 10 line side by side at each box.
The new law throws such safeguards
around the management of the election
that there should be no disorder under
any circumstances, but when political
feeling is aroused It is not always posi-
bic to enforce compliance with the spirit
of the law
The feature of the work of the pollti-
clans last night was the gathering of the
negro voters in halls secured beforehand.
where they were entertained until late
hour with speeches by both white and
coored workers and coffee and other re-
freshments. The main rendezvous for the
Myers voters was at Ford's Hall, where
a large number of negroes were gathered.
Each side he's several halls for this pur-
pose, white workers being left in charge
at each place to see that the voters were
not decoyed away by workers from the
other side. This assembling of the colored
voters in halls on the night previous
to the election seems 10 have become an
established feature in the local political
campaigns. There were rumors ahoat last
night OF important defectlous from one
side to the other, but it was too late Ia
investigate with the probability in favor
of their being only campaign canards.
Mr.. Myers said that after going over all
of the districts carefully with those who
were in active charge of his campaign
he felt convinced that his ticket would be
elected by majorities ranging from $50 "a
800 votes
Mir. McDonough and his supporters after
going over the situation very carefully
said they We're confident of carrying the
election by a good majority.
All sorts of estimates were being made
last night. The count of the ballots to-
night will test their accuracy.
LOCATION OF THE BOXEs.