The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1900-10-13
JOHNSON OUT or THE RACE.
THE REPUBLICAN CONGRESSIONAL
FIELD LEFT TO WIZ. LEAkEN.

Vow Very Evident That the Repub-
lean Candidate Intends Making
An Active FiEht-A Bnrrel May he
Turned Loose IN the Dlstriet-The
Mckinley Democrats VIII support
col. Lester Almost Unanimously.
4 Little Opposition Needed TO stir
the Party BIood-Wr. johnson Has
No Doubt That sic WouId Have Re-
eeIVed a Large Vote, "Had lie Been
Elected"
Mr. William r. Lseaken will have
free neli for hrs race for Congress so
for a. the Republican party OF the dis
trict is concerned. Capt. Tomhnson +.
johnson. whose nomination by the Doyle
wing Of tho party. was announced some
time since has Withdrawn from the race
Mr. johnson yesterday addressed a let
ter 10 the committee. which rendered him
the nomination, The letter is in Mr.
Johnsons Characteristic style and hard
~ needs his signature 20 identify H. He
says.
Savannah Ga. Oct r. is0-Messrs.
Doyle. Deiesal. Sims and others. savan-
nan Ga. Dear sirs-Mr .Wiliiam u.
Leakcn having accepted the nomination
for Congress from the faction Of the Re
publican party In this district. 90 which
he belongs. ! feel il 10 be- my dutN 10 re-
tire from the field and give him TO- 90 -
portunity of polling the fun party wore.
unhampercd by my candidacy Although
hundred bankers and merchants" or any
other number. urging me 20 make the
race ! am satisfied that had remained
m the field. ana been elected ! would have
polied very large vote.
To those several personal friends who
verbally promised me their Support. I am
profoundly grateful To YOU. who saw
ht 10 make me the representative Of your
party faction. ! tender my thanks. Very
respectfully. + +. johnson.
Mr.. Johnson friends. without regard 10
party. Will admit that had ~ remained
in the field" he would have polcd large
vote. whether be had been elected" or
not
Mr. Johnson's withdrawal from tho race
makes % all the more certain that the
Republicans intend 20 wage an active cam
paign In the district With some hopes Of
win party leaders b. Washington IS be-
ieved 10 have resulted IN positive assur-
ances Of assistance. both financial and
Otherwise. With the large negro vote IN
several counties Of the district the al
legged disorganizati and dissatisfaction
IN the Democratic party IN Chatham and
the further fact that many business men
openly announce their intention OF voting
Tor Mckinley. the Republicans have high
hopes Of either electing their candidate
or making such a showing az will ena bic
him to make contest before the House
% Representatives.
The appearance % active opposition
however. Is having the natural effect Of
so'dlfyiag the friends OF Col Lester The
inrEe majority 81 tho business men who
will vote for Mckinley and Roosevelt at
the head of the ticket will have Col. Les
tor's name al the other end OF a. Mayor
Myers ana other leaders. who also have
large financial interests. are very decid-
eddy IN favor Of the return OF Col. Lester
10 Congress as the most valuable man
who could represent the district. Many
OF the district leaders. who have been
talking about dissatisfaction and luke
wormness. both IA the city and the coun-
~, are getting Ia line and de laring their
allegiance to Col Lester. Evidently ali
that Is needed is a little opposition TO stir
the fighting blood OF the party.
Rev. Fortune 4. Washington. oolored
~ a communication 70 the Morning News
declares that Col. Lester will get more
votes among tho colored people OF Lib
eriy, BRYAN and Mcintosh counties than
Mr. Leaken. Mr.. Lcaken. the reverend
states g. not known 20 the people Of
these counties. while Col Lester has been
furnishing seed 20 tho farmers both white
and colored. for the last several years
Washington asserts that the ticket with
the colored voters of tho counties named
viii De Mckinley and Lester