The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1903-02-21
cncKRELL EnR

49,
Senator Cockrell for governor sug-
gestions for this ONCE have been
very abundant for the past six
months. Ifmemory serves, this same
Sturgeon Leader suggested Walter
Williams for the same Office not more
than six months ago. Neither one Of
them are bad suggestions, so far as
the fitness OF the men is concerned.
Either Of these men would make a
capital governor. AID, furthermore,
It is not at all unlikely that General
Cockrell could be governor of Missouri
with very little trouble if he really
wanted TO be. There are not many
Missourians who would banker after
contesting with the General for that
Office, il he expressed a wish to have
it. But there is not the slightest
reason for thinking that General
Cockrell wants to be governor, aud
the people are so well satisfied with
him where he is that no pressure is
likely to be brought to bear TO get
him to become a candidate.
Lieutenant Governor Lee has
already announced his candidacy. He
is the only announced candidate.
Several country papers have endorsed
his candidacy and Others are watching
his course with friendly interest. Sam
Cook has been mentioned, frequently
mentioned, and Speaker Whitecotton.
Congressman Cochran, 1t is thought,
is likely TO be a candidate and Con-
gresham Benton. Both Mayor Reed
and Congressman Cowherd have been
mentioned. OF these Cowherd and
Benton seem to have been suggested
only on suspicion; only on account OF
their fitness and acceptabIlity.
Neither has expressed either publicly
or privately any thought of seeking
the goyernorship. Attorney General
Grow might be added to the list,
though less has been said of his
candidacy recently.
Some Of these men are being warm
ly pressed forward by friends who
are anxious to fall heir to their shoes,
and when the battle is joined some of
them will find that their hearts fail
them. or the list, Sam Cook has
from the first had the lead. Some Of
the most influential country papers
in the state have declared for him
and Others hold themselves in readi-
ness to do so, when be announces his
candidacy. No other man in the
state has so comprehensive a knowl-
edge Of state politics as he, and his
party service has been splendid. BE
would have a larger number Of country
newspapers at his back than any
other man, partly because he has
been himself a country newspaper
man, and partly because the most
effective instruments of the late cam
palgn were the letters, statistics and
information sent to the press from
bis Office. II he becomes a candidate
he will be very hard to beat.
Mayor Reed was widely and enthu-
siastically mentioned in this connec-
tion two or three months ago. 1t is
by nc means sure yet that he will be
a candidate. The mayor is an orator
Of the kind to set the woods aire.
He will give somebody lots Of trouble
II be makes a vigorous, old time
canvass He carries enthusiasm. He
can put on the ''rOnSements" when
ever he will. But Mayor Reed is an
ambitious man and he knows that
the governors sella is a political
coffin. Usually when a man gets
through with being governor of Mis-
souri, he hasn't enough reputation left
to keep a country store successfully
The g%overnorship is a good Office to
round out an old mans public life,
but a poor stepping stone to anything
else. But if Mr.. Reed wants it, he
will make /. very interesting for his
competitors.
II Cook and Reed are both caDdi-
dates there is little doubt that they
Will lead the rest. Cook will have
the strength that comes from talent
for organization and from wide and
intimate acquaintance: Reed, that
which comes from the enthusiasm
which the orator ever excites. Besides
he will have to his credit the opposi
tlon Of the Kansas City Star ard Z