Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-04-17
NJ. 1851 n,,no Original and only reliable.
Ul4IlDlu UJ6S Beware Of poor limitations.

by Mr.. Berner only, and in the absence
of explanation the expression would mean
that Mr.. Berner had given his assurance
to Mr. Potts OF course somebody else
could have assumed authority to give it,
and the assurance, for reasons might
have been satisfactory to Mr.. Potts.
Now a few questions here for Mr.. Potts
to answer Did Mr.. Berner give him that
assurance? If so, when and how and
where? If Mr.. Berner did not. who did (?
And how and when and where? Did not
Mr.. Potts and Mr.. Terrell support Mr..
Berner for the president of the senate that
same year? Did MI Berner give any
trouble to the brewing or liquor interests
of the state during that term?
AS already stated, Mr.. Potts does not
deny saying that he did not sign the
same" or that -. M. Terrell engineered
the scheme with Berner. Upon this sub
ject I furnish in the form Of letter, to
me- the statement Of witness to the eff
feet that Mr. Potts did say this. and this
statement is both clear and positive.
MACON, Ca. .hAprll IS. 1902.
'TIon, Dupont Query, Macon, Ca:
Dear Sir-During the senatorial cam
paign in the 22nd district of this state in
1900, between Hon. Roland Ellis and Hon.
G. P. Steed, both of Bibb county, 7 was a
supporter of Mr. Ellis. The Hen. r. L.
Berner, of Monroe county, was support
er of Mr. Steed, learned, on the ground
that Mr. Steed was a prohibltionist. 1 was
at that time residing at Forsyth, and
there learned that Mr.. T. j. CARING, of
Macon, had in his possession telegram
| signed by Mr. Frank M. Potts, of Atlanta,
to the effect that in 1896 Mr.. Berner sur
rendered his views on the prohibition ques-
| ton I thought if l could get possession
of a copy of such telegram might be able
to Offset any infuepce Mr.. Berner might
exercise in behalf of Mr.. Steed in Monroe
county. / came to Macon in the spring
| of 1900 just a week beforei the primary,
which was held in May, and called on Mr..
CARING at the Lanier hotel / had never
seen Mr.. CARING before, but when stated
| the object of my visit, Mr. CARING very
readily told me that he had the telegram
referred to, and reaching IN his pocket
! took therefrom pocketbook Nm which he
nad the telegram. He handed me the tele-
gram anf then made copy of it, with
| Mr. Carvings consent. The copy now In
my scrap book reads as follows:
ATLANTA, Ca, Aug. 10, 1902.
"'T. ]. CARING, care Senatorial Hall;
81 am positively assured that Berner
will give no trouble to the brewing or
liquor interests of the state. Is II not un-
wise policy to delay his nomination long
err? Answer.
(signed) FRANK NJ. POTTS
Mr.. CARING stated at the time I OBJ
tanned the copy referred to. that there was
| no secret about the matter and I did not
| handle ii as a secret.
With a copy Of this telegram in my
pocket, I took the first train out of Ma
con to Atlanta. called on Mr.. Potts at
his place Of business and asked him what
assurance he had in 1896 that Berner
would give no trouble to the liquor
interests of the state. He replied that he
had never had any such assurance from
Mr.. Berner. l then spread the telegram
before him and asked him how he ex-
planned that.
After reading the copy of the telegram
I obtained from Mr.. CARING, Mr.. Potts
said that he had never seen IL before,
and that he certainly did not sign it. I
again asked him how he accounted for
it, and he said If would see Mr.. Terrell,
that gentleman could explain it,, as he
engineered the scheme with Mr.. Berner.
Knowing the close political and personal
relations between Mr. Berner and Mr.
Terrell, did not seek Mr.. Terrell to ask
him about the matter. supposed that Mr..
Potts would gladly furnish the informa-
ton was seeking with reference to the
! matter in view Of the fact that 1 was
seeking It in the interest of Mr.. Ellis,
whom 1 was supporting, and whom Mr..
Potts supported.
L dislike to become a party to this con-
troversy but 1 make the foregoing state
ment in justice 20 yourself. and you are
at liberty to use 1t in any manner you
may see fit. Yours very truly.
| (Signed) b. +. HOLDER, JR.
Mr.. CARING.
1t is pleasing to note that this contro-
versy has resulted in apology and for
giveness as between Messrs Berner and
CARING, and ] trust that the prevailing
harmony will not be limited to the quar-
tette am now discussing.
AS already stated, Mr. Berner proves
entirely too much by Mr.. CARING, for this
gentleman says that the famous Potts
telegram" was public property on the
streets of Forsyth on August 10 and IL,
1885, and in Macon the following day.
1 note, however, that Mr.. CARING says
that this telegram did not influence the
Bibb delegation, and yet 1t seems, accord
ing to the statement of Mr.. Holder that
he attached so much Importance to 1t, for
some reason, that Mr.. CARING was carry
| ing 1t In his pocketbook four years after
it had been received.
Is It possible that after ALL this tele-
| gram. which has from time to time raised
so much fuss and feathers" during a
| period of six years, amounted to nothing?
In conclusion, allow me to say that II
appreciate Mr. Berner's kind illusions to
my services to him in 1896.
But must say to him that he miscon-
i ceivas fha iss1Iaa IN the present coutro-