The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-11-05
DECLINE RIGDON
WITHOUT THANKS
REPUBLICANS IGNORE HIM.
CANDIDATE FOR CONGRESS FROM
FIRST MEETS A FROST.

Meeting Held Last Night Showed
Unanimous Sentiment Against His
unprecedented That He Was
More of a POpuIist Candidate.
Name Not On Republican Ticket.
Bryan County stands Pat-It Is
Claimed He Refused the Nominal
ton Twice.
A killing frost fell last night on the
political aspirations of Postmaster D.
B. Rigdon of Statesboro, whose can
didacy for congressional honors was
announced yesterday in the Morning
News.
At a meeting of the. Republicans of
the First militia district, held at Dor
sey's Hall, the sentiment was unani-
NOUS that Mr. Rigdon was not the
regular Republican candidate, and that
there was not the slightest obligation
on the part of the Republicans to vote
for him. Notice of a nomination,
they held, should come from the Con-
gressional Committee, and all other
candidates were not within the vision
of the faithful.
Quite a number of speeches were
made, without exception opposing the
claims of Postmaster Rigdon to the
place on the ticket as the Republican
candidate. S. NJ. Murchson. chair
man of Bryan county, was present and
stated that at a meeting of the Re
publicans of his county held yesterday
morning Mr.. Rigdon was turned down
good and strong.
Refused Nomination Twice.
Besides the fact that he has not
been recognized by the committee, it
was further urged that Mr.. Rigdon
seemed more of a Populist candidate
than a Republican, and as such was
equally Objectionable as a Democrat
would be.
Some time ago at a meeting of the
committee appointed to consider
the available Republican candidates
for Congress in this district, the name
of Mr.. Rigdon was considered most
favorably, but when approached on
the question he declined with thanks,
it is said. Later, at a meeting of the
full Congressional Committee, at which
Mr.. Rigdon was present, he was again
urged to make the race, but declined.
In the light of these two refusals,
local Republicans have decided that
Mr.. Watson, the Populist nominee for
President al his recent visit to
Statesboro, induced Mr. Rigdon to
make the race. At the meeting last
night the speakers declared the Popu-
lists equally as Objectionable as the
Democrats and that they would have
none of either.
Not on Republican Ballot.
The Republican ballots for the COM
ing election have already been printed,
and there is a blank space under the
words For Congress" The only way
he could be voted for would be for
the voter TO write Mr.. Rigdon's name
on the ballot.
Many Savannah Republicans will no
doubt vote for Col. Lester for Con-
gress, though it is expected Mr.. Rig
don will receive some votes and the
solid Populist support in his race.
Under the present condition of af-
fairs it is certain that there will be a
wide margin between the vote for
President Roosevelt and for MIR. Rig
don.
Instead of the announcement of his
candidacy for Congress being a rally
ing call for the Republicans of the dis
trict, the sentiment in this county at
least seems to be to ignore him en-
tirelv.
Among the speakers last night was
Col. Deveaux, the chairman of the
congressional district; S. NJ Murchi-
son, chairman of Bryan county; w. D.
Armstrong, chairman of the First Mi
litia district; J. c. Simmons, James
Dorsey, John G. Savage, ]. H. johnson
and r. n. Rutledge.
VIII Man the Polls.
In addition to the discussion of the
candidacy of Mr.. Rigdon, arrange
ments were made for the work at the
polls on next Tuesday. A committee
of five from the district will be at the
polls to see that the full vote is cast.
Prominent white Republicans ex-
pressed surprise at the course of Mr..
RigdOn, and seemed to think that any
attempt to pose as a martyr for effect
with the Postoffice Department would
fall fiat. or might even be a BOOM
erang for the postmaster.
The following was received from
Statesboro last night:
Statesboro. Ga. Nov. 4.-Postmas-
ter d. b. Rigdon's announcement here
to-day for Congress from the First
congressional district on the Republic
can ticket. was something of a sur
prise, though the matter had been talk
ed of for some time. Mr.. Rigdon said
when seen to-day. he intended to make
the race. but would not make a cam
Nass, leaving the matter to the voters
When asked what he thought of the
probable result, he laughed and said:
of course / am going to be elected. ="
Mr.. Rigdon has lived in the county all
of his life and has been postmaster
here under the Republican adminis-
tration for the past eight years,