The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1907-08-16
SMALL MARGIN
FOR WILLIAMS
Defeats Mississippi Governor for
Senate by Only 648 Majority.
RETURNS CANVASsED
Vardaman Makes Statement Conceding
Nomination to Opponent and Says
He is Not piqued Over Result.

|
The Mississippi democratic state
committee met in Jackson at noon
Thursday, and declared Congressman
John Sharp Williams as the party
nominee for the United States senate
on the canvass Of the returns, which
showed a majority Of 64S votes for
Williams, the totals being as follows:
Williams 5949G; Vardaman 58,848.
There win be no contest over the
result After short caucus between
the two factions, it was finally agreed
to abide by semi-offlcal returns as
furnished Secretary Of State Powers
from the various counties, and which
show that Mr.. Williams has ma
jority of 648 votes. The motion to de-
clare Mr.. Williams the nominee was
seconded by the friends of Governor
Vardaman.
The committee then formally de-
clared Mr. Williams nominated as
United States senator, anG this is the
final settlement Of the now celebrated
contest.
Governor Vardaman conceded the
nomination of Mr. Williams by send
ing the following note to the commit
tee:
"The democratic party, through its
executive committee, has declared Mr..
Williams the nominee, andsI accept
the arbitration of that tribunal with
out tinge Of resentment or regret
for anything done or said by my
friends or me during the campaign.
Il am for the nominee, and hope
that he will make the people Of Mis-
sissippi a great United States senator.
] have made the campaign upon living.
important and pertinent principles.
and, while | have lost the nomination,
l am thoroughly convinced that the
large majority of the ~aite democ-
racy of this state agree with my views
upon public questions, and shall con-
tinue to fight for these principles as
earnestly in the future as l contended
for them in the past.
q want to thank my friends for
their loyalty, their earnestness and
their zeal in behalf Of the principles
represent, and for my political in
teres.s.
mo man was ever blessed by more
loyal and faithful friends than those
who favored my fortunes in this con-
test. ] want them to feel as 1 do.
that we have not been defeated, but
that the victory is only postponed for
season. have been a candidate
several times in my life, and lost the
fight, but never have | felt the sting
Of defeat, and | am not defeated to-
day. am sure that l am stronger
with the people of Mississippi today
than ever before, and, God being my
helper, l hope TO so live that the pop
ularity. confd nee and strength with
the people may grow. The only life
worth living is a life Of service, and
to serve Mississippi and Mississippi.
ans is my chief ambition.
In the gubernatoral contest e. F.
Noel and Eral Brewer we're declared
as the candidates receiving the high
est vote and will contest in the sec
ond primary to be held August 22. For
lieutenant governor Luther Manship
and Wiley N. Nash will enter the sec
ond primary and for insurance commits
soners T. M Henry and w. ]. Mil
Ter. Other candidates declared nomi-
mated for the more important state Of
fees are: Auditor, e. J. Smith; treas
urer, George r. Edwards, Jr.; superin-
tendent public education, J. r. Powers
Mr.. Williams must wait four years
before being elected by the legislature
and assuming his duties as United
States senator.