The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-05-25
ESTILL STOCK ADVANCING.
HIS RAPID GAIN CAUSES MUCH COM
MENT.

Followers of the other Two Caudt-
dates Now Admit That Col. EstiIi
Is a Decided Probability and That
with n Divided Convention He Is
Likely TO BE the Next Governor of
Georaia-His Work in Meeting the
People Face to Face and Telling
Them His Views Plainly Has Had
Wonderful Eject.
Atlanta. May 24.-There has been no
fetrograde movement about Estill
stock Everybody is commenting on
the fact that with the approach of the
primary. Col. Estill is becoming
stronger and stronger. 1t has been a
gradual. steady and sure growth with
out a furry.
The campaign is not discussed any
where now without comments on the
fact that Col. Estill has developed a
following which. in certain circles, was
unlocked for and unexpected. For the
last few weeks followers of the other
two candidates, who thought the race
was going to be between their two
men, have been forced to admit that
Col Estill is a decided probability and
they have even gone so far as to say
that with a divided convention no man
will stand a better chance of being the
next Governor of Georgia.
In fact, I cannot figure out how
there is going to be a nomination on
the first ballot" remarked a conserva-
tive Query man to-day. Though
making every allowance, 1 fail to see
how it is possible. 1 believe that stu
alton, if presented in the convention,
will result in the nomination of Es-
till"
The politicians did not begin to re-
alize how many friends Col. Estill was
making until they began to go through
the country districts following in lis
trail Then they found that he had
accumulated the good will of thous-
ands of voters, and that they had one
of the hardest tasks of their lives be-
froe them. But it does not appear that
they have been able to overcome it.
They know that Col. Estill has devoted
himself almost entirely to what was
considered debatable ground that
much of it he captured and now they
are trying to retake it by assault.
The situation in Clarke.
For instance, over in Clarke county
things have looked most favorable to
Estill for several weeks past. A prom
inent Terrell supporter, speaking of the
situation there said yesterday that it
was in grave doubt and that Estill
seemed to have a splendid chance of
carrying it. Since then Terrell has
spoken there, and it is said Query will
also go there again to rally his sup
porters.
Is in Touch with the People.
1.-THE feature of Col. Estilrs cam
paign that is doing him most good"
remarked a Capitol official yesterday,
lis that while his ideas and views on
public questions are those of the great
majority of the people of Georgia, he
is the candidate of no ring, clique or
faction. 1t is seldom you find a COM
bination of that kind, and I cannot tell
you how strongly his race has appealed
to me especially on that account. AS
a rule you will find that where a cam
didate appears in opposition to what is
known as the ring candidate. he usual
ly has some new tangled ideas which he
uses in an effort to catch the people.
But / regard Col. Estills attitude on
the questions of the day as unassail-
able. I mean that they are sound
views. and they are the views of the
great majority of the people of the
state. And If Col. Estill is elected he
will be in a position to carry out his
ideas, in so far as it is possible for any
Governor to do, without fear or favor"
North Georgia Conceded.
A month ago Capitol officials, who
spend time now and then figuring on
the race, did not concede to Col. Estill
single county in the northern part
of the state. Now they are ready to
admit that he will carry a dozen or
more. and they know that 1t is because
he has won the favor of the people
through his simple methods, and the
strength of his views. There is no
question that in his views on local op-
ton, taxation, schools. and all others
of paramount Importance, Col. Estill
is in line with ma jority of the party.
1t is on the one question as to prohi-
bition that there is any material diff
ference, and the people of the state
have shown on more than one occa-
sion that they do not want state pro-
hibition.
The campaign has been looked on as
tame one and much fear is express
ed in certain quarters that a general
apathy may cut short the vote. The
indications are now however, that
things are stirring up a little and
more interest is being manifested as
the time draws near, particularly IN
this section of the state. 1t is proba-
Bile that even a greater degrees of in
terest will be manifested in South
Georgia, where the crops are much
further advanced and in better shape
than they are in upper Georgia.