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•■■ - - j i —jj—- —----- : JOA ' ~ ESTlLL—Georgia’s Candidate for Governor. FOR GOVERNOR. Col. Estill Eormally An= nounces His Candidacy. CONSTITUTION AND LAWS FORM HIS PLATFORM. He Favors Liberal Appropriations for Public Education and "Wants to Pension the Poor Confederate Soldier and Widow Only. From the Atlanta Constitution: Col John H. Estill has given out the official announcement of his candidacy for governor. The announcement was made to the representative of the Constitution, who found Col. Estill at his of fice at the Morning News and re quested a plain statement as to his position in the matter. This he consented to give and quickly penned the following brief state ment : “In compliance with the wishes of my friends and my ambition to occupy that most honorable office, I have decided to be a candidate for the Democratic nomination for Governor. It is seemingly quite early to make this announce ment, but as several gentlemen have either announced themselves candidates or permitted it to be understood that they are, I see no reason why my fellow citizens should not know that I am a can didate, so that they may guide themselves accordingly. “I have no platform, nor do I think I shall promulgate one. The constitution and the laws are What South Georgians Are Saying About the Campaign. HON. GEO. BEASLEY SAYS. * * * * * But Col. Estill is a formidable candidate. Almost all of the weekly newspapers which are not committed to other aspirants are likely to rally to his support with enthusiasm. The ardor of the rural press may not have much weight with the politicians, but it will certainly have its effect upon the primaries. As said in these columns a few weeks ago, it is idle to imagine that a newspaper with a thousand readers cannot influence two or three hundred of them, and quite often less than a hundred votes have decided an important election. Of course the Morning News which is the most influential paper in Georgia, will give its moral support in a decorous and inoffensive manner to Col. Estill, and that means thousands of votes for him. Besides abundant newspaper support, he will have the help of many shrewd and capable politi cians who know that he is loyal to his friends, and does not consider it too much trouble or beneath his dignity to go out of his -way to do them a favor. But it must not be supposed that his loyalty to friends betrays him into doing what is manifestly improper or wrong. While quick to recognize merit, he has the firmness to re fuse whenever refusal is the right thing. Col. Estill is fully capable of filling with credit the great office to which he aspires, and, should his ambition be realized, the in terest of the state would be safe in his hands.—Thomas County News. A GREAT GOVERNOR. The announcement of Col. J. H. Estill, editor Savannah Morning News, for Governor of Georgia, will be found in another column. Col. Estill is regarded as a very able man, and will no doubt make a fine race, and if elected, a great governor. The News has not de cided as yet who it will support, and will not until all the candi dates have announced and made public their platform.—Vienna News. WHAT W. A. SPITZ, SAYS. Elsewhere will be found under the head “To the People of Geor gia,” the formal announcement of Col. J. H. Estill for governor. Col. Estill is well and favorably known to the people of Georgia. For long years he has served the Democratic party faithfully. No man in Georgia has a better record. His election to the office of gov ernor would insure a clean and able administration of the state’s affairs. The people would make the platform on which the chief j executive stands.” As to the prohibition issue which j is likely to figure in the campaign, Col. Estill said: “Personally, I am a teetotler. j Local option in my opinion, how-1 ever, is the best temperance meas- j ure that has yet bden devised. I am in favor of liberal appropria- ! tions for public education and, favor pensions for poor Confede rate soldiers and their widows, but no others.” Col. Estill’s history is well known to the newspaper men of the state. Coming out of the war without a penny, one of Bartow’s men at First Manassas and wound ed there, he begun in an humble capacity on the Morning News and worked his way steadily to the front. Acquiring an interest in the paper, then a struggling publication, he gradually but steadily brought it into promi nence, both as a standard Demo cratic daily and as one of the best equipped offices mechanically in the south. Always conservative, he has made the paper known for its reliability and trust worthi ness. There is much that might be said of Col. Estill, his business success, due to his great foresight and capacity; his philanthropy and charity, always quietly con ducted. For twenty-seven years he has been the head of the Be thesda Orphans’ Home and his de votions to the cause of the Con federate veterans is widely known. In the affairs of the Confederate Veterans of Savannah he has always been active. He organ ized and was the first commander of LaFayette McLaws Camp. His active interest in educational and other public affairs here is well known. no mistake in electing him. A man of fine executive ability and rare good judgement, he would make a model chief executive. — Thomasville Times Enterprise. STANLEY AND HILTON SAY IN DUB LIN COURIER-DISPATCH. By the way, without any refer ence whatever to the standing of the other gentlemen in the race, does it not appear that Estill stock is advancing rapidly? Col. Estell’s loyalty to the Democratic party is unquestioned. Five years ago when Savannah was a regular luff bed of Palmer and Buckner and McKinley supporters, a dele gation of extreme good standard Savannahians went to Col. Estill and asked him to fight Bryan. The newspaper man told them that, while his views on the money ques were not in harmony with those of Mr. Bryan, the latter was the Democratic nominee, and un til another national convention met and adopted another platform and named another candidate, the Morning News would support Mr. Bryan. The committee then wanted to know if they could use the columns of the News to express their views as to candidates and measures. “Yes, gentlemen,” replied Col. Estill, “you may write whatever you please over your own signa tures and the News will give space to it; but, even in this way you cannot attack Mr. Bryan as long as lie is the candidate of the Dem ocratic party.” It required rock-ribbed Demo cracy to take such a position. J. D. WILLIAMSON IN PEMBROKE EN TERPRISE. It appears from our exchanges ’that Col. Estill will be liberally supported by the local press in his candidacy for nomination, and if the Colonel develops the same able and commendable qualities in the management of the state affairs that he has in many enter prises in and around Savannah with which he has been closely identified for some time, it is rea sonable to suppose that he will fill the office creditably. Col. Estill is what is termed a self-made man, who has worked himself up from an apprentice in a printing office to the proprietor ship of one of the leading news papers of the South, he being the owner of the old reliable Savan nah Morning News. Asa busi ness man he is a success and if placed in the gubernatorial chair will make the state an excellent business executive.-—Worth Couh ty Local. BRIEF SKETCH OF couiusmL Distinguished Georgian In Race For Governor. HIS VER / SUCCESSFUL CAREER Beginning at the Bottom Rung, By Close Application, Industry, Intelli gence, Honesty and Frugality, He Has Climbed to the Top. The career of Colonel John Hol brook Estill, of Chatham county, whose candidacy for the governorship of Georgia is attracting so much favora ble attention in all seetions of the state, is an inspiration to the youth of the land having the courage to “do” and the stamina to “stick.” It is a present and potent illustration of the fact that industry, frugality, intelli gence and honesty will win if cdhsist ently adhered to in i all the walks of life, and of the old proverb that “What ever is worth doing is worth doing well.” It. is one of the cardinal princi ples of Colonel Estill’s life to do well everything that he undertakes: to go into and master details; to get a firm grasp upon the small particulars, and thus secure a dependable hold upon the larger matters. No man is more careful to be sure of bis footing and none more confident of his ground when he has taken a stand. He does not jump to a conclusion, but arrives there by the conservative process of reasoning, after taking into considera tion all the points of view. That his reasonkig is in the main always cor rect and his judgment sound could have no better exemplification than in his own fortunes. Beginning at the very bottom rung of the ladder after the war of secession—working as ala St aS? * V$H WUt wllSiwiiitSc A>llrßs?‘ v ' J ifvW . nag^3K< 5 y l?s borer in the printing establishment which he now owns, and for a labor er’s wages—he has climbed by his own efforts to a position of comfort and im portance. By zeal, by labor, by untir ing energy, by the exercise of mother wit and calm judgment, he has risen from the position of an employed me chanic to that of an employer, finan cier and man of affairs. And notwith standing his altered position, he en joys relating anecdotes of his early struggles as a mechanic more than telling of his later triumphs. Nor are the friends of his more strenuous days forgotten, as a number of them have reason to know. Once a friend, always a friend, is his style. Colonel Estill is in his sixty-second year, and looks fifteen years younger. He was born in South Carolina, but is a Georgian, blood, bone and brain, hav ing lived in this state since his youth and given the vigor and strength of his manhood to defending the state in war and building up her interests in peace. He takes pride in the fact that he was a private in the Confederate army and fought In the ranks with “the boys in butternut and jeans” un til he was so severely wounded in Vir ginia, where he went with the Eighth Georgia regiment, that he had to be sent home. And while still an invalid from the wound he volunteered to aid In the defense of his beloved city of Savannah against the Invading army under Sherman. His military record, as honorable as man could wish, is em balmed in the records of the troops that Georgia sent to uphold the Con federacy and punctuated with the scars of bullets upon his body. His military title, however, is the laurel of peace, bestowed far both military and civic services rendered in patriotic love for the commonwealth. It was first conferred by the lamented Gen eral Alfred H. Colquitt when he was elected governor, in 1878, and after wards reconferred by each succeeding governor up to and including the ad ministration of Hon. W. J. Northen, which ended in 1894. V/hlle Colonel Estill has never been a politician in the ordinary meaning of the word, he has always taken a deep interest and often a leading part in the political affairs of Georgia and the south, and- his politics has always been of the straight Democratic brand without the slightest qualification. The party has always known where to find him, and the leaders have consulted him with respect to matters of great moment He has served, among other places, as member for Georgia on the Democratic National committee, as chairman of the executive committee of the First Georgia congressional dis trict and as chairman of the state Democratic executive committee. His time, his talents and his purse have never been denied to the party when wanted. He has never held an impor tant political office, for the reason that he never sought to do so. Several desirable presidential appointments have been within his grasp If he chose to take them, but in each instance he declined to accede to the importuni ties of friends and recommended oth ers for the places. While holding aloof from office holding under the national government, he has accepted positions of trust in his home county and city. It is as a business man, however, that Colonel Estill ranks the very great majority of his fellows. When ever and wherever he has served the public—on political national or state committee, on school board, on county board, or elsewhere —he has been call ed upon to deal with the business side of the matter under consideration. This is because of his success in the management of his private affairs. Be ginning with the wage of $1 a day in the press roonl of The Morning News, ue has not only become the proprietor of that property and made it one of the most prosperous publishing establish ments in the south, issuing every day in the year a newspaper that would be a credit to any city in the United States, but he has taken rank among the first as a bank official and financier whose judgment is always accepted as safe when there is doubt among his conferees. As an editor, he commands respect for his thoughtfulness and con servatism, without surrendering con viction. Asa business man, he com mands confidence for his thoroughness and the ability to comprehend a largo problem without losing sight of the de tails. It has been said —and no doubt with good reason —that his newspaper and printing establishment is one of COLONEL J. H. ESTILL. the most thoroughly systematized busi nesses in the country. No loose ends fire left hanging anyhere. The whole concern moves along like a piece of well oiled machinery. The same ef fort to effect co-operation, and success in that effort, characterizes all of his enterprises. He is at the head of a building and loan corporation that has assisted a great number of wage earn ers to own their homes or lay aside something for a “rainy day.” He is an earnest advocate of living within one’s means, which principle he applies to corporations as well as to individuals. He thinks that no obligation should be contracted without arrangements behig maue to discharge it; that if a man or a corporation make a debt the means of paying it off should be in sight. Personally Colonel Estill is a teeto taler. No man has a greater abhor rence of the drink habit than he. At the same time he recognizes that ev ery man who takes a drink of liquor is not a drunkard, and that every man who refrains from drinking is not a saint. He believes in temperance, but not in state prohibition, for the rea son that temperance cannot be incul cated by legislative enactment any more than morality can be forced by means of a policeman's dlub. He fa vors local option with respect to the liquor traffic, because experience has taught that no community can be su perior to the majority sentiment there of, and no community can have even a decent semblance of prohibition un less the majority of its people are in favor of the total suppression of the liquor traffic. Under the existing local option law in Georgia, when the ma jority of a community decides against the sale of liquor it is within the pow er of such community to have the traf fic suppressed. Local option is based upon the sound Democratic principle of local self-government, and no sys tem of government has ever been de vised that is more satisfactory than that of permitting the people to de cide for themselves under what code (A morals they shall live. He believes that it is always safe to trust the ma jority of a free and enlightened people to do what is right for their own good. Colonel Estill is Thirty-second de gree Mason and a past Junior Grand Warden of the Grand I-odge of Geor gia. He is also one of the oldest mem bers of the Independent Order of Odd Fallows in Georgia. In religion he is an Episcopalian, and is a vestry man of St. John’s church of Sava* qph. W. TROX BANKSTON. Middle Georgians are Saying About the Race for Governor. SIDNEY LEWIS SAYS. The Ishmaelite considers Col. Estill a fathful Democrat and a good, conservative citizen. There is no question whether he would give the people a sound and credi table administration of their af faire.StfHe is a man of energy, of industry, and of decided adminis trative ability, who has never failed to give a good account of himself in every position in which he has been placed —Sparta Ish maelito. CORRESPONDENT ATTHITSTA HERALD. Col. J. H. Estill’s formal an nouncement of his candidacy for the governorship is causing much interest and speculation. His declaration that he stands for the enforcement of the laws and the upbuilding of the state and its interests, has attracted more than usual attention. The simplicity of his platform and the absence of the usual “reform” planks has been a source of much satisfaction to his friends throughout Georgia. I The ability displayed by Col. I Estill in the management of his I private affairs and the great wis dom he has always manifested in his administration of public in terests, demonstrates very conclu sively his ability and fitness for the governorship. When the forces of Col. Estill line up in battle ar ray they will form a tide that no political following can hope to stem. GEO. W. ADAMS OK EATONTON SAYS. The candidates for Governor who have not formally announced their candidacy are making digs at Messrs Guerry and Estill for precipitating the campaign in Georgia as they express it. Asa matter of justice to Mr. Guerry and Col. Estill, it should bo said that they are not responsible for the early campaign. The respon sibility rests upon others. To all practical intents and purposes other gentlemen have been can didates for a year or two. They have not made formal announce ment because they thought they could do better work for them selves by not announcing until later, but they have been at work as industriously as if they had formally announced. Very natur ally they would like to have the What North Georgians are Saying About the Race For Governor. THE BULLOCH TIMES SAYS. Col. J. H. Estill was here today for the first time since the con gressional convention, which met here sometime ago, when he was made permanent chairman of that body. He made a large number of new friends and acquaintances and gubernatorial votes as well, while, of course, Bulloch will go for Estill for Governor. The candidacy of Col. J. 11. Estill for Governor continues to grow, notwithstanding an occa sional up-Georgia newspaper squib of skeptical nature. The develop ment of the South Georgia candi date’s strength if silent is also sure, and very gratifying to Col. Estill’s friends. THE STATESBORO NEWS. Col. J. H. Estill, of the Savan nah Morning News, one of the leading candidates for Governor of Georgia, came up Tuesday and was circulating among his friends and admirers in Bulloch. r Jhis was the first opportunity that •many of our people have had of meeting Col. Estill and the im pression formed was quite favora ble. While there has been no doubt about how Bulloch would go all the while, yet lbs presence here seemed to have solidified the situation. Bulloch will give Col. Estill a loyal support. He is the South Georgia candidate, and our people will do their full duty when the time comes. Men of influence in public mat ters are declaring for Estill in Middle Georgia as well. Many who do not know him personally, know and have confidence in his policy and say they will support a safe and successful man who inspires such trust. The Herald enjoyed an unpro fessional interview with Col. Es till recently in which he discussed the situation informally and with the frankness that characterizes the man. It’s needless to say that his views on all matters of public interest, the educational and so cial problems of the day, were sound, logical and convincing. field to themselves as long as pos sible. Mr. Guerry and Col. Estill, however, have as much right to announce themselves and seek the nomination openly at this early stage, as the other gent lemen have to seek it without , announcing themselves. Thfcy are simply pro tecting their own political inter est in a situation which was forced upon them, and nobody can blame them, nor can any one blame the other candidates for working in their own way. It’s very good politics on both sides. The editor of the Messenger was for three years the assistant editor of the Savannah Morning News, and he ought to know Col. Estill. He does not hesitate to declare that Col. Estill is a gentleman of fine character, of a high order of intelligence, and of splendid busi ness capacity. He would make a good Governor, and if South Georgia is in earnest about, fur nishing the next. Governor she had better demonstrate it by uniting on Col. Estill. HON. W. N. HENNS BAYS IN BITTLKK HERALD. It is our pleasure to announce the name of Col. J. 11. Estill, editor and publisher of the Sa vannah Morning News as a candi date for Governor of Georgia. While the Herald has not commit ted itself to any candidate thus early in the campaign, we are sure there is not in the state a man more eminently qualified or de serving the position than Mr. Es till and we feel sure his friends throughout the state will give him their earnest and undivided sup port. There is no one who would feel more proud than ourselves to see Mr. Estill in the Governor’* chair, as he is an unmistakable friend of the people of this state. L. G. MOORE, OF CRAWFOBBVILLB, HAYS. When a man succeeds honorably with Ills own business it is a good sign that he will make a good public officer. This is true of Col ,l. H. Estill, of Savannah. No better man can be found for the place than Col. Estill, whom we have known since 1880. —Advo- cate-Democrat. Col. Estill is easily accessible at all times. No one could accuse him of being a demagogue. He does not radiate to the masses in the common acceptance of the term. But, what is far better, he compels admiration and confi dence by his inherent strenth of character, soldierly directness and charm of sincerity. Col. Estell has always been a leader in whatever enterprise he has engaged. As the circle of his interests gradually widened his fitness to direct aff airs of moment lias been more and more apparent. His hand on the helm of state would steer clear of dangerous breakers and into safe channels that make for success. NEWS ANI) OOURANT SAYS. Col. J. H. Estill, editor of the Savannah Morning News, an nounces his candidacy for gov ernor of Georgia at the Demo cratic primaries, in this issue of the News and Current. Col. Estill has never engaged in politics nor held political office, and consequently is not generally known to the masses of the people in this part of the state, but in Southern Georgia, where his pa per, the Morning News, has a large circulation, he is well known to the people as a man of fine executive ability and successful in business affairs. He served through the Civil War and returned to his home in Savannah without a dollar, and went to work on the paper of which he is now editor and owner. Personally he has been known to the writer for twenty odd years and is a most lovable man. Kind by nature and generous in all his dealings with his fellow men, he is well fitted in every respect for the position to which he aspires, and should the people of Georgia see fit to honor him with the po sition of governor, he would bring to the office the ripe experience of a successful business career, and a charming personality which would win him friends wherever Jhe is known to the people.