The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-05-05
Is AGAINST ALL GAMBLING.
CONTINUED from Eighth Page)


Hartridge responsible for the existence
of houses of i'll fame in the eastern sec
ton. IF such houses exist and the Sun
day laws are violated at Thunderboh and
Tybee, whose duty is it 10 prosecute these
offenses," Col. Lawton inquired. "Os-
borne" the crowd shouted.
Mr.. Osborne, the speaker said, would
lead the public to believe that no adequate
machinery had been provided for the pun
ishment of crimes in this state
Col. Lawton read from the stat
utes defining the solicitor gen.
erals duty, one of which was to the
effect that it is the duty of the solicitor
general to prosecute, 'all indictable Of
lenses" Col. Lawton laid stress upon
the word 'indictable.' 1t was not "in-
dicted" offenses only, he said. He also
called attention TO the clause, "all other
duties appertaining to the solicitor gem
erals office" If the offense of
gambling did not come under this
latter clause, where did it come, he in
quired.
In order to further assist the solicitor
general in the discharge of his duties the
Legislature had provided for a special
bailiff to gather evidence. "Mr. Osborne
has a very shrewd man as his special
bailiff," said the speaker. And you know
very well that Henry Wetherhorn is able
TO find out whether or not gambling is be-
ing carried on in Savannah"
The claim that gambling cannot be
broken up would not hold, the speaker
said. II has been broken up in Atlanta.
and it is well known that a gambling
house had not existed there in years.
This was not the only reason why he
urged that people should vote for
Mr.. Hartridge. He promised to enforce all
laws impartially, even to suppress houses
of III fame, If desired, though the speaker
doubted il this could be successfully
done. This issue has been made
and II has not been met. Mr.
Osborne has failed to answer but his
four years in Office speak louder than
his silence. If Mr.. Hartridge' does not
enforce these laws, then put him out and
put some one else there. The issue is
whether you will put in a man who has
failed to enforce the penal laws or wheth-
er you will put up young man, vigor-
Gus, able and willing 10 enforce the laws
The speaker closed by predicting Mr..
ffHrtridge's election and a glorious adj
ministration of the Office by him.
Capt Cunningham introduced Col. p.
W. Meldrim as the next speaker. Col.
Meldrim was received with lively ap-
plause. He said that it seemed TO him
that he had spoken to this crowd or
some crowd very much like II before.
Il hear in these Voices the same ring
that led 90 victory four years ago. he
said. 1.-THE issue now is largely what 1t
was then. While it is true that differ
ences will exist in every community and
II is natural that they should exist, 1t is
not natural that low abuse should he
heaped upon the heads of good and worthy
citizens in discussing men and measures :"
Col Meldrim said he had never, in ad-
dressing a Savannah audience, uttered a
sentiment unworthy of himself or them.
He had hoped not to be called upon to
take part in the present campaign, but
he responded to the call of duty to speak
a well as he could In behalf of better
government. and in behalf of a worthy and
upright man.
Col Meldrim said he wished it under
stood that he stood in opposition to any
permanent political faction He alluded
to events of four years ago. when he was
the standard bearer of the Liberal Club.
He declared that no such organization
as the Liberal Club exists to-day. 1t did
not exist, because those who organized il
did not believe that any political faction
or club should permanently exist he said
There is great reason for this. ne said
"A local. permanent political faction is
dangerous to the political rights of every
citizen. 1t encourages robbery and cor
ruption. and letters the administration of
the law, and as such is a dangerous men,
ace to the county
Col. Meldrim's unequivocal declaration
of his opposition 10 permanent political
organization, and that he did not recog-
niZe the Liberal Club as now existent
evidently took his audience by surprise
These views have been expressed by him
on former occasions, however, and are
not new
Suppose 1t 90 be true that gamblers
and pros titutes ply their nefarious trade.
that they subscribe 10 a fund for the
benefit Of permanent political faction, "
he said, would this faction, II il got in
power. punish chose who put Il in powers
You know il would not For this reason
] am opposer to permanent political fac
tons"
Referring to Mr.. Hartridge. Col. Mel
drim said he proposed to produce some
evidence from the other side and pro-
ceeded to quote utt RANGES cf Justice Rev.
nolds. Mr.. Cam, Mr. Wade, Mr.. Oliver and
Jucg Twiggs speaking highly OF Mr.
Harui3ge , he testimony OF the Older
members of tie Savannah bar. he said
these he'd in high esteem and conddenct
by the people, was stated strongly and
forceful'y by Col. Lawton, in Mr.. Hart.
dges favor.
The character Of the meeting was IA.
vcrably commented upon b. Col. Meldrim
Are we aliens?" he inquired Have VIZ
come here from Gcd knows where 10 stay
God knows how long" The characters OF
tie two SIDES was well marked, he said
On the ore SIDE men well known are
esteemed, on the other men whom yot
w-uld not follow either in morals or pol
tiles"
Col Meldrim dwelt upon the manner IL
which Mr.. Harridge had left his practic,
and his position and had responded 10 N.
can or duty 10 go to the front with hi.
company in the war with Spain. becaus,
he felt 1t to be his duty. He also tool
occasion to pay tribute TO Mr. r. +
havenel, who volunteered TO serve fo
nothing and give Mr.. Hartridge the sal
airy: Mr. Ravenel was elected. filed N.
position and never took a dollar Of th'