The Paducah sun., 1906-03-27
Beckham Machine is Now for
Judge Hager.
Senator ]. Wheeler Campbell VIII
Not BE a Candidate for At
= tOrney General.
SOME OF THE CANDIDATES

of certain members of the state ma
chine to sidetrack Judge S. w. Ha-
ger as the administration candidate
for governor have proved futile. and
It is learned from an authoritative
lsource that the present auditor will
soon make formal announcement of
his candidacy and that he will be
supported by Gov. Beckham. Percy
Haly and other machine leaders. Ha-
ly, who is the most powerful member
of the machine, had won his fight
Iagainst great odds and has overcome
the opposition of other leaders, in
lcluding GOV. Beckham. II is said and
finally whipped them into line for
Hager.
For several weeks rumors have
been rife here that Hager had been
Thrown overheard and that the ma
chine was going to select another
candidate. The name of Ollie James
was mentioned in this connection.as
was that of C. C. McChord. chairman
of the railroad commission. Hager',
friends were alarmed and they be-
came Immediately active. All de-
tpended on the attitude of Percy Ha-
liy, who is as loyal to Hager as he
has been to Beckham, Haly, let 1t be
known. was for Hager. and would
not consider any plan to cast him
taslde.
AS a result OF Hays bold stahd
the machine was threatened with dis
Eruption. Haly would not Yield and he
lis said to have declared that he would
stand by Hager even in the face of
certain defeat.
About this time Gov. Beckham.
who was fearful OF the effect the
wrangle would havS on his candida
cy for the United States senate, pour
ed oil on troubled waters. Although
1T IS believed that he was opposed
to Hager the governor. It is said was
won over TO Hager's way on thinking.
With Haiy and Beckhanf for Hager
!ai opposition soon died away, and
Hager will now receive all the sup
port the machine can possibly give
him.
Gov. Beckham Is an avowed candi-
date for senator. to succeed Senator
McCreary, and formal announce
ment of his candidacy is expected at
the close of the extra session of the
Legislature.
The vast amount of patronage at
the disposal Of the machine will
serve to help Beckham.
Beekham and Haly elected Payn-
ter. man who was practically un-
known to at least half of the MEM
bers of the legislature who voted for
him. II they were able to turn the
trick for Judge Paynter. what is TO
Iprevent them from eiecting Beckham,
'wh6is popular with the rank and file
of the Democratic party in the state,
las McCreary's successor? oHi 80
Not satisfied with the two highest
Offices within the gift Of the people,
however, the machine is going after
other game. 1t wants the auditors
Office, and Morgan chnn and Henry
Hines, will seek the nomination. II Is
possible that Chinn will consent to
take the Office of treasurer, and leave
Hines free to run as the machine can
didate for auditor.
Hubert Vreeland. the present CON-
missioner of agriculture and broth
er of Graham and John vreeland. of
louisville, Is casting his eyes long
|ingly in the direction OF the Office of
1.-THE secretary of state. Harry Tandy,
who is an attaehe OF the Office of SUI
lperintendent of public instruction, is
being groomed for this position. Har-
Try McChesney is ineligible for re-elec-
ltion, and 1t Is certain that either
vreeland or Tandy will be the ma
chine candidate. sF
Senator Wheeler Campbell. Of Pa
ducah. is holdover senator, and his
vote is needed for Beckham two years
hence. II this were not the case Camp
bell would stand an excellent chance
TO be the machine candidate for at
torney general. 1t is said that he will
be a candidate, but II is not likely
that the machine is going to sacrifice
vote in the senatorial race simply
to crafty the ambition of a young
man who is striving for higher hon
ors. Sc, unless there can be no aues-
ton that the machine can elect his
successor, Campbelrs candidacy will
not receive machine approval,
Several names are mentioned In
connection with the Office OF commits
sioner of agriculture. II. c.. Cren-
shaw, the present assistant commits