The Savannah morning news., 1901-08-06
DRAWING The LINES
FIRST REAL MEETING OF THE
CAMPAIGN FOR ORDINARY.
COLLINS FRIENDS GATHERED.
w. H. WADE CHAIRMAN OF THE DE
SOTO CONFERENCE.

A Primary Plan to Settle the Com
test for Ordinary Now Practically
Assured-Capt. McAIpin stin Holds
His Peace, and There Seems No
Likelihood of His Rushing to the
Executive Committee With n Re
quest That IL Order "A Primary in
the Near Future-Dr. l.. A. Fall
giant Was Present mt the Collins
Meeting at the DE Soto and Made
Brief Address-Committee APP
pointed to Effect Permanent Or
ganixation.
What was really the first meeting of
any consequence, during the present
campaign for Ordinary, took place in
the banquet hall of the De Soto last
night when about eighty-five friends
of Candidate J. S. Collins gathered, by
invitation. Mr.. w. l.. Grayson, Mr..
Collins business partner, stated after
the meeting that only about 100 tnvi-
tations were sent out. and that 1t was
really only meeting of "a committee
of a hundred"
Mr.. w. Hampton Wade acted as
chairman. and called the meeting to
order. The same gentleman was chair
man for the Screven forces during the
last campaign for the same Office. The
chairman stated that Mr.. Collins had
sent out invitations to some of his
friends, and he wanted their advice,
and aid, in his fight. Only those who
were supposed to be interested in Mr..
Collins fight were asked to be present,
and the gathering was in no way
public one. Mr.. Wade said that the
gentlemen present could express them
selves, and tell just what they thought
of the situation as it now is. The chair
and Mr.. Collins would be glad to hear
from any, or all.
Mr.. Collins said that he was pleased
at the manner in which his friends had
turned out, and he evidently considered
that he had no kick coming when he
was playing against a prize-fight at the
theater. He thanked his friends for
their presence, and asked them to aid
him in his fight for ordinary. He has
already expressed himself as being
heartily in favor of a white primary,
and still advocates this plan of decid
ing who shall fill the Office. Those in
the banquet hall also seemed to take
kindly to the primary plan, and If there
scheme they were mum. An effort was
made to introduce a resolution asking
that primary be called by the Execu-
tive Committee for an early date. I'm
der the circumstances 1t was decided
that it would not be wise to make any
suggestions in this respect, and the res
olution was withdrawn.
DR.. l.. A. Falligant spoke pleasantly
of Mr.. Collins undaunted spirit and
int nd haf he 10
the man for an office so important. The
people should elect a man who is hon
est, and one who has been tried and
found true. Mr.. Collins he described
as such a man. DIR. Falligant said that
If his brother should enter the field he
would tell him to step aside, and that
If he did not he would still support
Mr.. Collins.
Brief talks were also made by Capt.
w. N. Clark, C. e. Jones and r. C.
Grower. Mr.. Jones was formerly en-
ployed by the Electric Railway Com
pany, and worked under Mr.. Collins.
He declared that the report circulated
that Mr.. Collins had said that any la
boring man could get along nicely on
a dollar a day was not true, and had
been started without the slightest foun-
dation. The speaker worked for Mr..
Collins for years as a laboring man,
unqualifiedly false. Mr.. Jones declared
that no man would make such a charge
against Mr. Collins to his face.
Upon a motion, Chairman Wade was
instructed to appoint a committee at
his leisure to effect a permanent or
ganization. 1t will be the duty of the
committee to report at the next meet
ing. The committee will probably give
the matter of asking that an early
l1n % flIl
and such a request may be made of the
Executive Committee, provided fair and
suitable rules could be arranged to gov
ern such an election. The meeting ad-
iourned, subject to the call of the chair.
There were no changes in the cam
naign during the day, and the primary
plan is practically assured. Just what
Can't, McAlpin intends to do on this
line cannot be stated. He is keeping
quiet, and has no desire to take the
public into his confidence on any mat
ter relating to the campaign for ordl-
nary From his manner Ii is gathered,
however, that he opposes the primary
plan. The other candidates are also
mum and are saving wood. They are
doing quiet, but effective, work. and
| until the date of the proposed primary
is settled upon there will be very little
in the way of public meetings.
The ward heelers are keeping their
| blood in circulation, but they have no
idea of doing anything hard until the
weather cools off, or a date has been
named for the election. Not a few of
them have ceased to discuss the fight
for ordinary, as 1t now stands, and are
| talking about the contest in Georgia
| for Governor. 1t is not generally be-
lieved here that Hon. II. M. Turner
will be a candidate for the Democratic
nomination. and many of those who
| are way up in state politics say that
| Ia 1,nr M earthly cha nee q win