The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-06-08
POLITICS IN BLACK BELT
ouARLEs,s RUMoRED CANDr-
 DAcY IS DISCUSSED.
An Astute Politician Foresees Mum sreus Alliances and Foretells . Warm Campaign for State
 ofice This Year.
Advertiser Bureau.
 Selma, June [.

All the talk here in political circles IS in reference to Colonel W. w. Vuaries rumored intention to run for Governor out of town newspapers constantly query their correspondents here to interview him and see what he has to say on the subject. They all have to wire back that he is not being interviewed. Local politicians are discussing the matter with a great deal of interest and all kinds of theories are advanced. Some think he will enter the race, while others are of the opinion that he will not One man advances theory to show why he will run and is answered by another man, who shows why he will not become candidate. In the meantime Colonel Quarles has absolutely nothing to say to the press. It is known that he is in consultation with his intimate .fricEGs. but they are like clans, and when one of them is asked to give an opinion as to what he thinks Colonel Quarles will do, the questicner is invariably pushed aside by series of evasions so well known to the willy politician. All of his mystery, silence, conferences with friends, etc, only whet the appetites of the general public to know what is going on.
 All kinds of theories have been advanc- ed, some sensible, some amusing and still others ludicrous in the extreme. Colonel Quarles has never stood in with the men who govern politically in Dallas. He has always had them to fight. His friends proudly point to the fact that he has never lost fight before the people. There is no disgusting the fact that he is a. strong campaigner On the stump before the people ne makes a telling speech. When 1t comes to looking out for himself he is bold and aggressive. He has keen tongue and he knows how to use it. Colonel Quarles has always gone be- fore the people with the idea that they were the sovereigns and he wanted to be their servant, the instrument in their hands for carrying out the law. His cry has always been let the people rule" He says he is never afraid to risk the people and he always stands ready to bow to their edcts, whether they decide in his favor or against him. The consequence is he has never been defeated and has held the solicitorship ever since he was first elected to 1t. two years after his term in the legislature. He has never mixed in anybody elses politics. until he took the stump for Morgan as a member of the Flying Squadron" and all know what effective work he did in that cam raign He has never been a delegate tu a State, Congressional or judicial conven- tion. He stands out alone, unique figure In Dallas County politics. When he seeks office the hands of the politi- clans are against him; but when the votes are counted he always manages to turn up on top. This is a brief synopsis of the public career of man who now has all eyes turned on him. What he will do about becoming a candidate time alone can tell He has the matter un- der serious consideration and will have a statement to make sooner or later. This Is very indefinite. but the public wants reliable news and that's all that can be given at present.
 The following theory advanced by thoughtful politician. will be read with a - great deal of interest by all as tending 10 show the drift of talk in this city:
 "Colonel Quarles's friends regard this as the opportunity of his life. I know that he thinks he can win He is not going to decide to enter the race hastily. but Is going to wait to see the drift of public sentiment. That he is receiving great many promises of support. know to be a fact. Some of these tenders came from sources that would astonish you if you knew from whom they were. I have thought for some time that Colonel Quarles was thinking of retiring from the solicitorship and devoting his time to the practice of his profession. He knows that if he ever expects to become a great lawyer that he must quit the criminal prosecutioner's office and get down to study He is just at an age when his mind is so well-trained that he can do more work than at any other period of his life. He may take advantage of this op- portunity. resign the solctorship. enter the race for Governor and either succeed or fail If he fails he will be in no worse shape than he is now; If he wins out as Governor he will have four years of public service to give him experience and at the end of his term he can settle down to the practice of law or continue in the field of national or State politics.
 "There are whole lot of possibilities in store for Colonel Quarles, and the fel- low who does not think he Is a shrewd politician is badly off. He is as smart and shrewd as any man in the State. My idea is. a great big game of politics is being played. Joe Johnston does not want to run for Governor, but he Is going to do so if he cannot get anybody else to make the race. If he should run and succeed he would be out of the race for United States Senator for five years. Everybody knows he wants to go to the Senate. Johnston has not great deal of confidence in his ability to defeat Gen. eral Pettus. In fact, the people of Ala bama have about decreed to keep Pettus in Washington the balance of his life. Ouarles likes General Pettus. He has already made big fight for Morgan and has the sympathy and good will of that grand old man. But everybody knows that Morgan and Pettus are both old men. What if Quarles and Johnston should get together on something like a platform like this:
 Let Quarles announce for Governor and declare, for General Pettus for the United States Senate Then let Johnston come out and declare for Quarles for Gov- ernor and hustle around among his rich friends and political followers and make a tender in a delicate - uarles or $l0.000 or $20000 ,+ race Tor chief magistrate ] Ole Tn primar,- election. John- ston should take t Quarles and use his infiuen flowing in the State. SuI should be elected Governor dorgan or Pettus should four years tenure of offic' John- ston be just as certai seat in the United States sun will rise to morrow? tends already feel kindly ser vices rendered, for wC lone. No power on earth rgan from his place in Wa lake a fight against Quarle )uld come out and announce of his campaign that he her favorite son of Dallas aat