The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-01-15
THE FLORIDA SENAT0RSHIP.
pASCO. TALIAFEBRO AND CALL ARE
THE CANDIDATES.

Not Much Doubt That Mr.. PaScO VIII
Win without serious TrOuble-Mr.
CAN May Have Eleven Votes out of
one Hundred. but 1t l. Doubtful ~
He Could Hold Thcm-Mr. Italia
ferro of jacksonville "A strong
Man.
Tallahassee. Fla Jan. H.-The people
of Florida are concentrating themselves
that prospects are bright Tor a clean, man
ly contest for the United States senator
snip, which is 70 he filled at the approach
ing session OF the legislature. Senator s.
Pasco who is asking rejection for
third term, is meeting with decided oppo-
sition, but il is not believed that the per
sonal bitterness and the outrageous scan
dals which have formed such conspicuous
features Of most contests for the Florida
senatorships in recent years, and which
have done so much toward creating po-
htical apathy among the people of the
state will be repeated this year. The SEN
atorial contests of 1891 and of 1897 were
especially disgraceful, because of the per
sonai encounters. the common talk of brib-
cry and the general low plane upon which
they were conducted.
The better and healthier political shirt
which seems sure to prevail in the sena-
torial campaign this year is due in some
measure to the passing away into death
or political oblivion of most of the leading
figures in the former fights and IL is also
due largely to the fact that Gov. Biloxi
hams highly successful administration
has restored peace and harmony in the
Democratic ranks. When il is remember
ed that every man of the 100
members of the incoming legislature is a
Democrat, it is easy TO understand that
other parties do not figure very promi-
nently or seriously in Florida politics.
PascO's Strength Growing.
Senator Pasco is perhaps stronger now
than he was prior to the election of the
legislature, and the chances are that ne
will be stronger still when that body as
sembles here, the first week in April
Whether that means that he has his battle
already won, is questionable. The senator
claims that he has, but he isn't dealing
in cold figures yet. 1t is certain, however
that Mr.. Pasco thoroughly understands
the situation, if any one does. During his
thirty years of experience in Florida poll
ties he has learned much and forgotten
little, and every one admits that he is a
hard man to fight He has made
very few positive enemies, and
the fight being made on him is based more
on allegations that he has failed to ac-
complish as much as ne might, rather
than that there is anything dark In his
record Mr.. Pasco has, however, been a
quiet. hard-working senator. and he is
distributing much documentary evidence
TO show that he has by no means been
sleeping during his twelve years of service
in the national Senate
Ex-senator Wilkinson Cali has caused
some surprise by his rather unexpected
development of strength during the past
few weeks. No one imagines, however
that he will become a serious factor in
the race. He may poll fifteen of the 100
votes in the beginning of the contest, but
he will hardly hold all of these, nor can
he deliver them elsewhere. Mr.. Cali served
three terms as United States senator, from
1879 to 1897 and he is an interesting but
declining figure In Florida politics.
His Strongest Opponent.
Senator Pasco's chief opponent is Hon
James p. Taliaferro of jacksonville, but
a suspicion has gained currency that some
of his apparent hackers are not sincerely
anxious for his success. He is a rich
man, but his candidacy does not seem to
have met with great popular favor His
business success and his vigorous mind
should commend him strongly for sena-
torial honors, and his influential support
efs, who really desire his election. to-
ether with more or less popular de-
mand for new man in MIR. Pasco's place.
may land the prize for MIR. TaIiaferro.
A very prominent business man, who is
q close observer of political conditions in
FLORIDA, and who has recently made a
tour OF the state, while at the capital a
re" Gays sinse, expressed the opinion that
at present Mr.. Pasco can fool e,ro -
tnirty-nine votes, Mr.. Taliaferro Of TWEEN
ty-tWo and Mr.. Call of eleven. This leaves
tWenty-eight votes in doubt with a strong
PROFANITY that they will be widely scat
tered on the first ballot or two, after
winch they will be divided between the
three candidates already mentioned. Fif-
ty-oae votes are necessary to elect. hence
~ pam That the fight is being waged
by Mr.. Pasco against the field.