The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-12-29
STATE POLITICIANS GATHER.
PRoHIBTTI0NIsT FIGHT Is AL
READY ASSUMING SHAPE.

| ture the Legislature.
Atlanta, Dec 2s.-The capitol and hotel
corridors were olive to-day with stats
political gossip, and states were made ana
unmade by the knowing ones with star.-
ling rapidlty,
The first rumor was sprung at a late
hour last night and was to the effect
that pr. E. w. Watkins Of Gilmore, a
member of the last House, would oppose
Gen, Clement A. Evans for prison COM
missioner. Dr. Watkins reached the city
last night, and was seen in conferences
with Hon Mark L. Everett Of Stewart,
and this gave rise TO the rumor.
DR.. Watkins pficked this inciplent boom
this morning by calling at the Office OF the
Prison Commission and pledging his sup
port 10 Gen. Evans.
Mr.. Everett is announced as a candi-
date for the place held by Hon. Tom
Eason, and that there Is an effort being
made TO get Mr. Everett out of the race
there is no doubt,
Mr.. Everett also called at the Prison
Commissions Office to-day, but his cali
was merely a social one. as he is a cousin
Of Gen. Evans by marriage.
strong pun is being made on Mr.. Ey-
erett to get him 10 make the race for ths
Senate next year, as his county has the
naming OF the senator. The announcemenb
of Mr.. Everett against Commissioner Eas-
on is IN some quarters, claimed to be pre-.
mature, on the ground that the term OF
| Mr.. Eason VIII not expire until 1902
what the Act Authorized.
The act providing for the new convict
| system authorized the Governor to nams
| three original commissioners, and Il pro-
| vided that their Successors should Le
| elector by the people, one In 1893 another
In 1900, and the third IN 1902. Judge Tur-
| ner's term expired IN 1893 and he was re-
| elected The term or Gen. Evans expires
| In 1900 The other commissioner was Mr.
Jacob Beach and had he not resigned
| there would have been no question of his
right 20 retain the Office until 1902. But
! the resignation of Mr.. Beach and the APP
| pointment by the late Gov. Atkinson Of
! Mr.. Eason TO the vacancy was thought by
many to have changed the situation. OPP
| ponents OF Mr. Eason take the position
that the power OF the Governor TO appoint
was limited, and that Mr. Eason cannot
serve under hls present commission any
| longer than 1900.
| Attorney General Terrell was asked for
| his opinion on the matter to-day but de-
| clined to give It. saying that he had no
not care to talk. The only way IN which
| the question could be passed upon would
| be for the Issue TO be raised In the courts
after the election.
Mr. Eason was not In the city to-day,
| but q friend Of his ia authority for the
statement that he Will be a candidate be-
fore the people at the next election, and
that the issue as TO his present term will
not be made
Must BE Elected.
A reading Of the act discloses that Mr.,
| Eason must be elected next year for the
unexpired term of Mr. Beach, which ex-
| pires IN 1902, as the act distinctly says that
should any of the commissioners appoints
| cd for the original term resign or the Office
be vacated for any reason. then the Cow
| ernor should appoint a successor, who
would hold until the next regular election,
| thereafter, when his successor would be
| elected for the remainder OF the unexpired
term. This section Of the act follows and
therefore invalldates, Ia so far as this
special election Is concerned the previous
section that says that one Of tbe commis-
sloners must be elected every two years,
and no two at the same election, and this
seems 10 settle pretty clearly the fact that
Col Eason's successor for Mr.. Beachs
unexpired term must be elected next year.
DR. Watkins has not yet given up his
cherished ambition TO represent the Ninth
district In Congress When in the House
before the terms of 1893 and 1852 he said
he wanted to round up his llfe I'm politics,
and desired 20 return to the House one
more time, which he did. and then go to
the Senate in 1890 and 1891, and then to
Congress. He has accomplished half OF
his political desires so far, and as he said
to-day that he had seen nothing 10 cause
him 10 change his intention. II may there-
fore be reasonably construed that he will
offer for the Senate next year, though he
would neither affirm nor deny this.
ProhibitiOnists win work.
1t was told in these dispatches on this
last night of the legislative session that
the prohibitionists were going TO try to
capture the House and its organization,
and that Mr.. Copeland Of Walker would be-
their candidate for Speaker. 1t now de-
yeops that an effort will be made by tho
prohis to capture the Senate 80, and to-
day It was rumored that Mr. Freeman Of
Coweta would be a candidate for the pres
idency Of the Senate. As he was one OF
the leaders Of the prohis, much credence
is given 10 this rumOr. The pfohis feel
the need Of hard work to capture the
Senate. hence the effort 10 put forward
their best and strongest man for sena-
tor whenever possible, and that accounts
for the earnest effort being made to pull
Mr. Everett IN out Of the race for prison
commissioner and have him make the
race for the Senate.
There were a number Of ex-representa-
lives here to-day and politics was the all
absorbing theme all day They came from
an parts Of the state There were Watt
bdns Of Gilmer. Stone OF Walton. Duncan
OF Houston, Emanuel Of Glynn, Post OF
Coweta. Mclaughlin OF Meriwether, Ey-
erett Of Stewart and Warner It'll Of Mer-
iwether. It was rumOred that Warner
Hin would come back 20 the House. Just
what tine coming OF these ex-representa-
tives and politicians az this time and al
on the same day, meant, has not been d.
yulged but there seems to be something
in the air Mr., Emanuel Of Glynn said
be was here on business, and n there had
been any caucus he did not know A. While
not making an open declaration 70 that
effect. he indicated thar he would fetu "a
20 the next House from Glynn.
The Fighf ia walton.
The fight IN Walton county is indiea-
dive Of what the state Ulh be treated 90
in the ncxi campaign. G2-R Representative
n .fF