The Savannah morning news., 1902-10-25
FROM THE VICTORIOUS SIDE
COMES THE STORY OF THE BAT
TIE wAGED WITH BALLOTS.

TIE WAGED WITH BALLOTS.
Only in IA Very Limited Sense, De-
cIares MT. Hitch, Who Supported
graphical One-Was Not North
Georgia Against south Georgia.
Mitchell Supporters Handicapped
in the EfOrt to Make the Issue "a
Sectional One-ObstacIes That In
terpOsed to Defeat Them-Ad-
nliuistratfOn DidR't Want Mitchell.
Several of the politicians who went
to Atlanta to take a hand in the fight
for the speakership have told how their
candidate, Fondren Mitchell, of Thorn
asville, was defeated, but there has
been little said about the victory of
Speaker Morris. This is but natural.
as the majority supported Mitchell.
But two Savannahians were in At
lanta to work for Morris. They were
Hon. Ferris Cam and Mr.. Robert NJ.
Hitch. Mr.. Hitch has returned and
was seen yesterday. He discussed the
view of the victor.
"A very serious attempt" said Mr..
Hitch, has been made to give the
speakership contest a geographical
and sectional aspect. Only in very
limited sense, however. can the strug-
gle be termed contest between North
Georgia and South Georgia After
the retirement of Mr.. George, the vote
cast for Speaker Morris and Mr.. Mitch
ell shows that out of II votes from the
counties south of line drawn through
the county of Bibb, a very considera-
BILE proportion of them were for Mr..
Morris. In the First Congressional dis
trict, despite the very powerful in
fiuences brought to bear in favor of
Mr.. Mitchell, the vote was almost a
tie. Leaving out the vote of the negro
Republican from Mcintosh. the white
vote of the district stood z for Norris
and for Mitchell.
DisreGnrded Geography.
The true line of cleavage in the
contest shows that geographical con-
siderations were largely disregarded
The contest was a struggle between
opposing ideas and principles. The
last ballot cast bears striking SINH
larity to many of the votes on several
of the more important measures before
the last Legislature. The protracted
and bitter struggles in that body dur
ing the closing three weeks of the ses-
sion of 1901 over some of the measures
that came up resulted in divisions
which have proven to be more or less
permanent. At that time, certain ele-
ments became accustomed to working
and voting together, and the result is
that practically two distinct parties
| have been created"
Mr.. Hitch said that in seeking to
make the issue a sectional one. Mr..
Mitchell and his supporters were han
| dicapped by the fact that in the gu
| bernatorial campaign last summer,
| when South Georgia candidate and
| two North Georgia candidates were in
| the field, Mr. Mitchell and his chief
| supporters in this contest themselves
| repudiated the South Georgia argu-
| ment, and voted for the up-country
candidates. 1t was considered, there
fore, that they were not in a position
to make any very effective use of the
geographical argument. In addition to
this, they were reminded of the fact
that the speakers of the last three
Legislatures were all from South Geor-
gia. Hon. John D. Little of Columbus
was speaker of the last two Legisla>
lures, and Hon. w. A. Dodson of
Americus was the speaker who preced-
ed Mr.. Little. A few years previous
ly Judge w. A. Little of Columbus,
and Hon. Louis F. Garrard of Column
bus had also held the position of
Speaker of the House. In the face of
this showing Mr.. Mitchell and his
friends could not argue very persuas-
tNrn1r NkA Lit 8
another speakership.
Was an Administration Issue.
THE administration ISSUE" said Mr..
Hitch, also had great weight in de-
termining the final result in favor of
Mr.. Morris. 1t was unfortunate for
Mr.. Mitchell that among his chief sup
porters were several men who have
been, and are now bitterly opposed to
Gov. Terrell, and the principles which
he represents. Had Mr.. Mitchell been
elected these avowed enemies of Gov.
Terrell would naturally have been Sc
lected as chairmen of the most i'm
portant committees of the House, and
it would have been possible, therefore,
for them to have throttled the Ter
rell administration at its very begin
ming. Gov. Terrelps friends realized
and appreciated this danger, and
| promptly threw the whole weight of
their influence in favor of Mr.. Morris.
| The candidates themselves were, in a
certain measure, lost sight of in this
| struggle for supremacy between Gov.
Terrell's friends and those who were
| openly hostile to him and to his ad-
! ministration.
Personally, l am very much attached
to Speaker Morris by reason of the
close friendship which developed be-
tween us during our service as men,
bers of the last House, and would have
| given him loyal support on this ground
alone. In addition to this, however.
/ found supporting him the men from
every part of the state who have al
ways supported me and my friends in
every contest that has ever come UP
before the various legislatures and
| state conventions since have been
| old enough to take an interest in state
| politics. Naturally, therefore, 1 chose
| to stand or fall with my friends. /
| feel very much gratified over the cleo
| ton of Mr.. Morris, and am confident
that he will discharge the duties of
his high position with ability and per-
| feet fairness"
CAUGHT IN WHIRLING BELT.