Mexico weekly ledger., 1906-03-08
aTEpHRNs roR aoYFRNoR

STEPHENS FOR GOVERNOR
The Joplin Globe has the following
regarding Hon. Z. W. stephens and
the gubernatorial honor:
E w. Stephens, Columbia, No. was
In Joplin yesterday. having been sum-
moned here as a witness in the case Of
Charlse S. Blanton, charged with con-
spring u brite 10 connection with
post Office sites now being tried in the
federal court
Mr.. stephens has been frequently
mentioned as a possible candidate for
governor on the Democratic ticket In
1905. Democratic newspapers all over
the state have commented f~ayorably
upon his candidacy, the c%oncensus Of
editorial opinion being that the Col.
umhia nan would make a splendid
and victorious leader. Mr.. Stephens
has never been a seeker OF Offices, but
for more than aQuarter Of a century be
has been conspicuous in the service Of
the party and the conviction seems gen.
orally to prevail that there are few men
in Missouri with as extensive g person
al and party following and IS little
personal and party opposition rs that
of MIR. Stephens s
Never having been q seeker after
office it appears to be somewhat too
late In the day for Mr.. Stephens 70
depart from the custom that has
governed bis entire life. he is not a
candidate for office now. In answer
to q Globe reporters inquiry as to
the gubernatorial canvass be replied
that no canvass was being pressed so
far as he knew and related an Incl
dent as Illustrating his attitude to-
ward the honor OF heading the fight
for the democratic party two years
hence.
"a friend OF mine out In Indiana
said MIR. Stephens, had been a fac.
tor in politics in his home district,
and one time, on the eve Of a district
convention. while away from home,
be received a telegram from a friend
asking him il he would accept the
nomination for president Of the
United States. He wired back this
response: 1.-THE Office OF the presi-
dency Of the United States is an hon
or which should neither be sought
nor declined by any citizen" That's
about the way / feel regarding the
nomination for the governorship Of
Missouri on the democratic ticket
observed Mr.. Stephens. ut is an
honor which no good citizen and good
democrat could decline, at the same
time its an honor too great TO be con-
tested for except in q manner worthy,
IN every way, Of the high object
sJlght.
II am not an aggressive candidate
and shall not be. But / want to as
sure you that l am not insensible to
the ne tributes which have been paid
to me in this connection by the great
democratic papers through the state
| believe / may, without mock-m0d'
esty, question whether | deserve thu
complimentary comments which have
been made. But / certainly appre
ciate them.
Until recently l have been mum
bered with The country newspaper
men Of Missouri, and l am widely &C
quainted with the Democratic edir5n
OF the state. l am aware Of the worl
they have done year in and year out
and / know the principles they stlnt
for and the high ideals Of public ser
vice toward which they have laboret
and are laboring. To merit the ap
prevail OF the democratic press o
missouri for the Office with which m.
name has been associated is, OF itself
an honor to be priced highly. Blu
the question as to who shall be th'
gubernatoral nominee Of the demo
cratic party in 1908 is not pressing
There is plenty Of time. When thI
time arrives TO make a choice, tn
democratic party Of Missouri will sc
lect q standard bearer who will com
mand the % fldence of the party"
This is the first visit 10 Joplin thai
Mr.. Stephens has made In over twent.
years. He said he thought he hal
prepared himself against Surprises bu'
admitted that be was amazed at thu
great prosperous city that has grow
up In Southwest Missouri.