The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-08-27
YATES TO POSE AS
PEOPLES CANDIDATE,
Illinois Governor Declares He
Will Cut Loose From All
Machines.
DEFENDS HIS OWN RECORD.
Begins to Clean Out Some of the
Gang at Springfield to Make
Room for His Sup
porters.
DEFENDS HIS OWN RECORD.

| REPUBLIC SPECIAL.
Springfield, Ill. Aug. Ex-Governor Yates
| Is to enter the Republican race for the
| gubernatorial nomination next year as the
| peoples candidate" This was practically
| the announcement made by the executive
| to-day at a conference of his supporters in
the Executive Mansion. Since the politicians
the machine men in the Republican party
are almost solidly arrayed against him.
Yates will make an independent race for
him that the people" want him and the
Governor believes the story.
| The attendance to-day was not so large
| as at some Of the former meetings of the
current series of conferences.
Fears that Yates would attempt to swear
| them to perpetual allegiance and put them
| on record so early in the campaign caused
many who had been invited to come to re
main away. Those here to-day were State
appointees. almost exclusively. who have
attended all the preceding conferences.
Chicago was represented by several
Colonies OF the Governors personal staff.
notably. Colonel ]. H Strong. Each APP
pointee ordered to be present was instructed
to bring one man from his county who is
friendly to the administration. Evidently
II was difficult to find the friend. as num-
Der of the Office holders arrived alone. This
Is explained to be because many Of the poll
ticians who are friendly to the Governor
now do not want to ally themselves with
any candidate or tie up their counties while
conditions in the State are as chaotic as
at present.
DEFENDS HIS ADMINISTRATION.
The conference to-day opened at 10 o'clock
in the morning. with approximately 100 poll
ticians-mostly Office holders-present. Gov
ernor Yates started the ball rolling by well
coming his visitors as 1.-The mainstays" Of
his administration. and then launching into
review of the work Of his administration.
The Governor ran the gamut of political
topics from finances to lynchings. defending
his administration at every point and EVIL
IDENTIFY outlining the defense that Is to be
handed out through the coming campaign
by his lieutenants.
At the conclusion Of the Governors
lengthy speech, which was warmly ap-
plauded. Former Senator Walter Warder
of Cairo took the floor and delivered an adj
dress. Astounding in laudatory references to
Governor Yates. After Warder had ex-
hausted his supply of panegyrics Fenton
Booth Of Marshall demanded that an ex-
preston Of the sentiment of those present
be given. It was up to the conferees 20
declare themselves either for or against
the man who had given them their Jobs. and
every man Of them rose to his feet In dec
laration Of his allegiance to the admins
tration. .
PEOPLES CANDIDATE.
Governor Yates thanked the aesemblage
for the evidence Of confidence and fealty.
He stated that 1t was likely he would
make formal declaration Of his candidacy
for denomination within few days. He
would make canvass of the entire State.
he said, going before the people on his
record, and not as candidate Of any ma
chine or clique. He would not ask any OF
his friends present to promise to deliver
any delegation or county, he said, but he
would expect returns from all Of them.
After the general meeting the Governor
was in conference with a few individuals
regarding conditions In certain districts
where the administration seems to be In
exceptionally bad repute. Several Of his
guests advised the Governor that he had
made entirely too many appointments from
his home county Of Morgan. and steps were
a. once taken to adjust affairs. H. 8. Love-
Joy and Halves Yates, two Jacksonville
men, were dismissed as district game war
dens. and William E. Roberts Of Murphys-
boro and Frank Rowden Of Fielding were
named as their successors The Governor
would be sacrificed to make places for poll
ticiaua where support il needed