The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-08-13
BATES HAS A SHOW.
Clinton Republicans
Begin to Look the
Field Over.
WILL DELEGATES Be PLEDGED ?
Legislation Affecting the
Reservoir an Impor-
tant Factor.
WILL DELEGATES Be PLEDGED ?

Clinton, Aug. 12.-Interest in the con-
test for the lieutenant governorship is
becoming appreciable here.
There is change in the sentiment of
republicans. Formerly everybody was
unqualifedly in favor Of sending a del
egation pledged to Gen. Guild.
There was a reason for this. Gen.
Guilds campaign is in the hands of
Charles G. Bancroft, and Mr.. Ban
croft was formerly leader of the party
here Then he removed to Boston to
engage in the practice of law. The
next his friends knew he was in charge
Of Gen. Guilds campaign, with an Of
flee in fremont building, Boston.
Ora L. Stone, a former newspaper
man, and now engaged in the study of
law at the Boston university law
school, was put in charge of the Guild
interests in Clinton. Mr.. Stone has
experience in politics. He has partici-
pated in several lively campaigns and
knows the ropes. He was formerly a
member of the staff of The Spy.
1t happened, too, that Gen. Guild has
visited Clinton. He made a speech on
conditions in Havana to hundred
Mems Association this spring, and cap
tivated everybody who heard him.
Nobody thought it strange that his
chance of getting the Clinton delega-
ton, when he entered the arena with
Bates, was said to be all the chances
there were But there is a change. The
feeling still is that Gen. Guild will
eventually get the vote of the Clinton
delegations but many republicans re-
gard it as improbable that the dele
gates will be pledged to him either as a
delegation or individually.
Usually the ticket issued by the re-
publican town committee or the one
that has its support will win in re-
publican caucus here.
The committee comprises S. Ives
Wallace, Oren B. Bates, Alexander
Stevenson, Neil Walker, James Nc
Pherson, Charles Frazier and other re-
pubHcans of prominence.
1t was said today by member that
more than half of the committee are in
favor of an unpledged delegation.
The reason is that Clinton has large
interests at stake in the state house.
and will have, while the construction of
the Wachusett reservoir is in progress.
The town is interested in a bill ask
ing for an annuity of $4,000, which is
among the documents to be presented
to the next legislature.
Legislation affecting the reservoir is
likely to effect the town also. Republi-
cans want to be right with the powers
that be.
story has gained credence here that
the members of the legislative commit
tee on metropolitan affairs are for the
most part Guild men. The committee
has to do with the reservoir, and is the
same that turned down the towns an
nuity bill at the last session.
If the story should prove to be true,
nothing could keep this town from
sending Bates delegates to the state
convention, but the more conservative
element Of the party will not permit the
rumor to be accepted out of hand, or
swallowed whole. If the towns dele
cation goes to the convention un-
pledged it will have time enough to
look the field over and decide whether
Gen. Guild or Speaker Bates is the best
man for Clinton.
Above all things the town is opposed
to the committee on metropolitan af-
fairs. If the members of the commit
tee in their private capacities are fol-
Guild, the town fathers will figure that
Bates as lieutenant-gover would be
antagonistic to the committee, and a
powerful influence to secure justice for
the town.
One other element enters into the sit
uation with a tendency to make trouble
| for Cen Guild. That is the tendency of
political feuds to recur. During Attor-
ney Bancroft's term as chairman of the
town committee another wing of the
party grew up, which was successful in
| the caucuses last fall and again this
| spring. Gen. Guilds active support lies
mainly with Mr.. Bancroft's friends.
Representative S. Ives Wallace is the
present chairman Of the republican
town committee. He has said NOTHING
to anybody, so far as is yet known, thai
can be considered an expression in ia.
vor Of either candidate. Logically he
would be a Bates man.
Although a new member, Mr.. Wal.
lace was placed on the important com.
mittee on street railways in the house
A representative of The Spy inter.
| viewed Oren B. Bates and several lead.
| ing republicans this afternoon. who
| said they had not yet formed an opin.
| ion.
Alexander Stevenson, a member OF
the committee, was inclined to favor an
unpledged delegation, and after that
Gen. Guild
Reports have reached here thai
others towns in the state are receiving
a good deal of literature. This towr
has not yet been favored with much
reading matter.