Mexico weekly ledger., 1904-05-12
CANNOT AFFORD
TO ATTACK FOLK.
REPUBLICAN, POLITICIANS ALL
AGREE wITHMAYoR ON CUB
ERNAT0R1AL SITUATION.
VALBRlDGE NOT A CANDIDATE
Generally Admitted That There Is
No Hope for Ticket in OPP
position to Circuit Attorney
In the Gubernatorial
Race.
From the St. Louis RehubIic.

Republican politie ans evidently
think that Thomas q. Mayo, of Cliff
ton Hill, candidate for State Chair
man, hit the nail on the bead when
be said that Republicans could not
afford to attack Circuit Attorney Folk
II he were nominated by the Demo-
Gratis. Every Federal onficeholder In
the Custom house, who was asked yes
terday regarding what he thought of
the chances OF Republican success
with Folk running for Governor, said
that there was no doubt in their minds
that the Democrats would win.
There seems to be a movement of
Republicans who have been mentioned
for Governor to get out Of the game.
Mr.. Mayo suggested United States
District Attorney d. p. Dyer as a
candidate, though not expressing any
hopes he would win. Colonel Dyer
laughed. good-naturedly when he was
asked If there was any malice afore-
thought In Mr.. Mayo's suggestion.
swell, now, don't KNOW he said,
'Tom is a good fellow, but l can't see
what he wishes to do with me. After
stating that Folk will win he thinks
that l would be good man to get
beaten. That's a new sort of hon.
or"
"Well, you will be a candidate after
lallP"
"Now, look here-say-well, / will
tell you. / take the same position
that l took sometime ago when the
suggestion was first made. l guess
that covers your question"
And Colonel Dyer shook his head.
Colonel Dyer's former position" was
that he was not a candidate for the
Republican nomination. He has not
changed his mind. The United States
District Attorneys office looks very
good to him.
Close friends of former Mayor Cyrus
P. Walbridge make no bones Of stat
ing that he has said he will run against
Folk under any circumstances. 1t is
said that one reason for the subsiding
of the so-called Walbridge boom for
Governor during the last three or four
weeks is his strong admiration for
Circuit Attorney Folk, an admiration
which, some Of his friends say, may
find adequate expression in the polling
booth.
NoRToNI NOT A CANDIDATE.
Assistant United States District
Attorney Bert ID. Nortoni has receiv-
ed the Endorsement of several counties
and congressional districts for the
gubernatorial nomination. He has
given it out to his friends that he is
not a candidate now. He says that he
is attending strictly to his duties as a
Federal officeholder.
His friends say that he is also an
admirer OF Circuit Attorney Folk.
How highly he regards Folk may be
judged from an interview he gave out
a few months ago, when he said; "My
work cannot be compared with that
of Mr.. Folk. He is entitled TO great
credit. l am entitled to none"
Close friends Of former Circuit Judge
Seldom p. Spencer, who started a
gubernatorial boom for him in Kansas
City last February, now say that 1t is
''all off," Said one of them; Judge
Spencer does not care to have his name
mentioned against Folk. He made a
gubernatorial feeler, but conditions
have changed since that time"
A prominent member of the Repub-
lican State Committee, who was in
the city the other day, but who did
not wish to have his name used, was
asked what he thought the close coun-
ties would do this fall
"There won't be any close counties
they will all be for Folk. The idea
of our fighting Folk is preposter-
ous."
FOLK WILL CARRY STATE.
Another member of the Republican
State Committee, still higher up in
the party than the foregoing, said
that he had no doubt regarding the
outcome. 81 think that Mr.. Folk
will carry the State, while we may
carry st. Louis II the present fight
CONTINUES.
This idea is disputed by well-inform-
ed politicians in the city. City Com
mitteeman John B. Owen, Of the
sixth ward told several of bis friends,
without making any secret, that II it
were not for the fact that he was a
lefty Committeeman, he would vote
for Folk In the general election. "He
can't be beat" he said. "EIe will car
ry st. Louis hands down. Don't tell
me that the boys won't support him
in the general election. They will.
And even IL Butler should oppose him.
Folk will carry the city. ! think l
know how the people feel.h
William II. Hahn, former Recorder
Of Deeds, and one of the bestinformed
Republicans on the north side, said
yesterday:
"There is no use In Republicans
putting up a ticket against Folk. He
will be elected without a doubt, so
what is the use Of wasting ammuni-
| tlon. The State is aroused and when
the people feel as they do at the pres