The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-12-09
THE SPEAKERSHIP,

Allegations having been made that in
the pending contest for the speakership
of the Massachusetts house, the So
called Bates influence" was being used
to further the interests Of James ]. My
ers, the Hon. John L. Bates has felt
called upon to say that his attitude in
the matter is one of strict neutrality.
He has made this statement:
ITO none who have applied to me in one
way and another regarding the speak
ership campaign-and there have been
many-have I given any intimation
Whatever of any preference of mine In
the contest, and no candidate or his
friends Is authorized to quote me as
favorinS or opposing any candidacy.
All the candidates have served with
me in the house, all have given me their
support for speaker and some were
among my supporters for the lieuten-
ant goVernCrship. Under such circum-
stances, it did not seem to me that any
other course than that of strict neutral
ity between candidates was open to me
THAT position l have taken from the
beginning, and l have not devlated in
any particular therefrom; and 1 may
add that the candidates themselves APP
matter as l have taken. They have
not asked me for my support, but have
been perfectly satisfied, so far as ]
know, for me to maintain neutral DO
sition in the matter"
The newspapers of Massachusetts, are
still asserting themselves in most en-
phatic way in reference to Mr.. Myers
candidacy. Here are the views of the
latest:
The Haverhill Gazette, in remarking
on the newspaper opposition to the as
pirations of Mr.. Myers to the speaker
ship, httingly says: Once more, let us
remark, these protests mean business
and lot Of it. Better think twice, gen
tlemen Of the legislature"
Yes, they mean business. This can be
set down as a certainty. If Myers sue
ceeds 20 the JOY of mugwumps, demo-
Gratis and every class of enemies of the
republican party in the state, there may
time come when republican managers
will cry aloud for help from republican
newspapers, and receive in return a
dignified silence.
There is bound to always come time
when honest, sincere, self-respecting
men tire of having humbuggery and de-
ceit peddled off onto them for honest
made goods.-Milford Journal.
ANY republican representative, u
squarely says the HaverhiT Gazette,
including those from Haverhill who
votes for James ]. Myers, will by that
act betray the party to whose voters
he looked for support at the last cleo
ton"
The South Boston Bulletin says: The
information is given out as coming
from the friends of Mr.. James ]. Myers
that they do not rely on the vote of the
republican caucus to secure his election
as speaker.
Mr.. Myers has strong friends among
the democrats, and especially among
their leaders, among whom may be
mentioned Representative Mellen of
Worcester.
There will Y democrats in the next
house, and 1913 republicans 1t is an
undoubted fact that Mr.. Myers
staunchest supporters are found in the
democratic column
1t is intimated that Mr. Myers
friends have decided not to go into a
caucus, and this is supposed to be
based on the fact that it will be i'm
possible for them to secure a majority
If he is able to get the votes of prac-
the republicans will be sufficient to Sc
cure his election.
No one claims at this time that Mr.
Myers has the majority of the repub-
lican members pledged to him, and the
most that his closest friends give him
is SO votes.
This rumor that he will not go into
caucus is said to be based on the
suggestion that If he did so and
should not receive a majority of the
votes, then he would not hesitate on
the matter of receiving democratic
votes sufficient with those republicans
whom he might hold, to secure his
election.
His chief support comes from the
democratic press and the suggestion is
made that he expects to be elected by
democratic votes instead of a nomina-
ton in the republican caucus. It is
well to observe that his friends recall
his position taken in 1896 over the
clerkship fight, and realize that he has
much strength from the democrats.
OF the 16S republicans, large ma
jority are 81 present opposed to Mr..
Myers.