The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-11-19

aus ASlees 4NONs 10 lie I16EdlQ To-
day says:
Col. ]. H. Estill of Savannah, who
is being prominently spoken of as
candidate for Governor in the next
campaign, is in the city attending the
convention of the Mystic Shriners to-
day.
1t is generally thought that Col. Els
till will enter the coming gubernatorial
race. 1t will be remembered that he
ran second in the primary preceding
Gov. Terrell's first election. Col. Es-
till made very strong fight then
against tremendous odds, and his
strength as a candidate is shown by
the fact that he carried Richmond
county by a large majority. The
splendid showing made by Col. Estill
in that race convinced his friends
that he would be winning candidate
in the next campaign.
Col Estill has never denied that he
would probably be in the race, and
his entrance in the next campaign was
made practically certain by the rous-
ing Endorsement given his candidacy
last night by the Citizens Club of
Savannah, which is the most power
full political organization in Chatham
county.
A Herald reporter discussed his
probable candidacy with Col. Estil
at his hotel this morning. Col. Estill
T. Iof hut
that when a sufficient number of peo-
pie demonstrate the fact that they
want him for Governor he will make
the race.
IT was not a self-appointed candi-
date in the last campaign" said Col.
Estill, "but ran because the pressure
from my friends was so great that I
had to run. I was in the position of
the little boy that was grabbed by the
seat of his trousers, thrown into a
deep stream of water, and told to
swim, or he would sink. My friends
having placed me in this position,
swan. / was not then, nor will l ever
be, a mere seeker of office, but 1 made
SuCn Il SlI6lluOuS ltEliA OCNcuSC lAN
weakllng's part is not to my liking.
When / go into battle l fight to win,
and if / go down. it shall not be said
of ME that went down other than as
a fighting man should, who has been
put forward as the champion of a
great number of people.
81 ran because / thought the people
wanted me to run, and the fact that l
received the majority of the votes cast
in a great county like Richmond, as
well as a large number of others, shows
that 1 was not deceived in thinking so.
The same thing is true of the next
campaign. 1t is long time off yet
to discuss the matter, but I shall gov
ern myself simply by what l think
the people want. They are the ones
who ought to say who the candidates
shall be, so at that time, If a sufficient
demonstration is made by them that
they wish me to do so. why will en-
ter the race.
do not misunderstood me to say
that any man hasn't the right to run
for Governor If he wants to do so.
ANY man can enter the race who wishes
to, but 1 simply hold that for myself
the people shall decide the question.
II is a laudable ambition to desire to
be Governor of Georgia. The Office
will honor any man, and no man can
say he would refuse II If the people
gave It TO him. However. VI Is not my
purpose to enter upon a career Of Of
fee seeking this late in life. and I am
too old to have ambitions beyond the
gubernatorial chair. am now well
up in the sixties. and the future can
hold little for me in the way Of politi-
cal preferment. beyond the Office for
which my name is mentioned"
Col. Estill declined to make any
statement when shown The Herald OF
yesterday. containing the story of Mr..
Hardwicks probable candidacy for the
Governorship. He said MIR. Hardwick
was as much privileged to make the
race as he or any one else. He would
not say anything about the strength
the Tenth districts congressman could
develop IN the campaign, except that
he was told Mr.. Hardwlck was popu-
lar In his section and was a good cam
paigner. He said all the men whose
candidacy has been discussed were able
gentlemen, and would doubtless make
Georgia "A good Governor. He thought.
however. that the Democrats would
have 10 put forwhrd a strong man next
time. For n Mr.. Watson runs, as n
seems that he viii. there are enough