The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-07-02
STATE CONVENTION
LOCAL OPTION PLANK MAY GO IN
PLATFORM.
OR SOMETHING SIMILAR TO IT.
HOKE SMITH TALKED OF FOR
CHAIRMAN.

Hon. Y. II. Brown Seems to Be the
Choice, However Congressman
Griggs Is on the Scene and Has
Some PIanks for the PIatfOrm-COI.
EstiIrs Friends to Caucus This
MOrning-His Protest in Hands OF
State Chairman, He Says--If 1t Is to
BE Brought Before Convention 1t
Must BE Done by the Chairman.
Atlanta, July 1.-The hotel Hobbies
are alive tonight with delegates to
the State Convention and politicians
from all parts of the state. Many are
here who have fences to keep in shape
and who are hoping for positions UNI
der the new administration or in con-
nection with the coming General AS
sembly.
Greatest general interest seems to
center in the feature of the platform
relative to the liquor question. Many
besides the Query delegates oppose
the Endorsement of local option as the
plank in the platform and that sub
ject will no doubt cause a warm con-
test. The indications are now that
something like a protest against max
ing the liquor question political is
sue, urging that 1t be held aloof from
politics, and an Endorsement of the
present "non-partisan" legislation on
the subject, which means, of course,
the local option bill will be inserted
in the platform. There is no doubt
however, that there will be opposition
even to this feature, but it is likely
a majority of the delegates will favor
something like this.
| Hon. J. NJ. Terrell has headquarters
in the Kimball House as has also Col.
j. II. Estill. Hon. Dupont Query is
stopping there, too, but has not open
ed his room as political headquarters.
| Hon. Warner Fill will nominate Mr..
| Terrell tomorrow, while Col. Estill Will
| be nominated by Hon. r. w. Meldrim
and Mr., Query by Judge John P.
| Ross. After the first vote it is likely
| the nomination of Mr.. Terrell win be
made unanimous.
| Col. EstiITs Position.
The friends of Col Estin will caucus
In the Senate Chamber at the Capitol
| at 8 O'Clock tomorrow morning. Il
do not know what they will do, said
Col Estill. in speaking of the matter.
so far as my protest Is concerned,
that is In the hands of the state chair
] man lie himself wrote me that 1t was
matter for the State Convention, and
| If it is to be brought before that body
! it must be done by him. | shall have
nothing further to say in the matter
now"
M j. Yeomans, who was campaign
| manager for Hon. o. b. Stevens. Com Z
missioner of Agriculture, will proba-
bly, be temporary chairman of the con-
vention. So far no opposition has an
| peared to him. OF the $50 votes in
| the convention Col. Stevens has $40.
Hon. Hoke Smith came pretty near
| appearing in the field in opposition to
| Hon. f. T Brown for the state chair
| manship to-day and it is not yet GER
tain that he will not be presented to
the convention tomorrow. To inqui-
ries this evening. however, Mr.. Smith
would only reply: Il am not a candi-
| date" He did not deny he had given
the matter some consideration, but left
the impression that he did not expect
to be in the race. 1t is confidently ex-
pected Mr.. Brown will be made chair
man.
Congressman j M. Griggs, who is
chairman sof the Democratic Congress
sional Campaign Committee, is here.
1t Is understood he has urged dele
perialism in the platform. but there
appears to be some doubt as to whether
this will be done.
The Aspiring Candidates.
1t Is expected that Clerk of the House
John T. Boifeuillet and Secretary of
the Senate Charles Northen will be
secretaries of the convention in ac-
cordance with the usual custom Hon.
Mark Hardin. who is a candidate for
clerk of the House, is here looking
after his interests against Mr.. Boifeuil-
let and Goode Price, who would be as
sistant in the event of Hon. Bill Cliff
tons election as Secretary of the Sem
ate, is on hand looking after the In
terests of his friend
The kansas City Platform
Hoke Smith stated tonight he would
not be a candidate for the chairman
ship of the convention. 1t was gener-
ally discussed, however, that he would
make a strong speech against the pro-
posal to indoTse the Kansas City plat
form in toto. Congressman Griggs has
asked the delegates to indorse the plat
fotm, saying that it would aid In the
election of Democratic congressman In
Western states Mr. Smith strongly
opposed this and will lead whatever
fight there is against It,