The Savannah morning news., 1902-06-22
MANY VACANCIES TO FILL.
FLORIDA's GOVERNOR TO HAVE
NEW MEN IN CABINET.

Deaths of Controller Reynolds and
Secretary of state Crawford and
Retirement of Railroad Commits
sfoner Bryan and Justice Mnbry OF
Supreme Court Leave -Four De-
sirabIe Vacancies for Which Flor
ida's Ever Alert Politicians Are
Now striving.
Tallahassee, Fla, June 21.-Fortu-
nate as Gov. Jennings administration
has been in some respects. his cabinet
has been sadly depleted by death since
his Inauguration.
Controller Reynolds was the first to
go. and he was soon followed by the
lamented Crawford, who for years had
occupied the Office of secretary of
state, and who year after year, in
spite of his pronounced opinions and
uncompromising individuality, was
elected with the support of all factions
and without serious opposition. These
deaths leave two vacancies to be filled
at the approaching primaries. and in
addition to these, Mr.. Justice Mabry,
of the Supreme Court, has signified his
intention of not putting himself in
nomination for another term, while the
Hon. John Milton Bryan of the Rail-
road Commission will retire to his Vo-
lusia county plantation at the end OF
his term.
All this means four additional polit-
ical Jobs to be hustled for at the July
primary, and from present indications
the scramble, in some respects, will
be a lively one The candidates for
secretary of state are II. Clay Craw-
ford, son of the late secretary, and for
many years his chief clerk and right
hand man. His opponent, strange, to
say, is former Senator James f.
Broome of Gadsden county, who was
for many years a close political asso-
ciate of Crawford's and one of the
most picturesque and striking figures
in the political faction with which he
was so long identified.
Close observers predict the election
of Crawford, who is, to say the least,
perfectly competent to fill the position,
and who is so well satisfied with his
chances that he is making no house to
house canvass, indulging in no heart
TO heart talks with the dear people.
At the time of Controller Reynolds
death, Hon. A. c. Groom of fernando
county was appointed by Gov Jennings
TO fill out the unexpired term.
Mr.. Groom is now a candidate for
the faculty of initiative count for any
thing, he will inevitably succeed him
self Brief as has been his tenlGe OF
his office, Mr.. Groom has succeeded jim
solving certain problems that his pre-
decessors seemed unable to cope with,
and has already inaugurated certain
reforms in connection with the adver-
tsement of delinquent taxes that will
save the state thousands of dollars.
All this, however has not been accom-
plished without friction, and like most
innovators, Mr.. Groom has made some
enemies.
His opponent in the July primary is
to be I. J. Mccall, a Hamilton county
man, who is known as 1.-The plough boy
of Hamilton" and who, while a novice
in politics, has the support of such po-
litical experts as Senator Frank Adams
of Jasper, and John Caldwell of the
Jasper News.
Much interest attaches to the race for
the two places on the railroad COM
mission. Chairman H. E. Day, who has
done more than any other man in the
state to make the commission a sue
cess. will have a walkover.
For Mr.. Bryan's seat there are no
less than four aspirants, John G.. Ward
of Pensacola; Jefferson B. Browne of
Key West; j. N. Whitner of Sanford,
and r. Hudson Burr of Little River,
which is over on the East coast in Mr..
Flagler's territory. Ward and Browne
have thus far developed the most
strength, with the chances decidedly in
favor of the former, who was the sec
rotary of the old railroad commission,
and who is singularly well-ftted for
the noSitfOu