The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1907-03-05
)
{ Old Campaigner on 3
E Politics and Politicians 8
Senatorial Pen Pictures 3


( him what was the matter. The fore
man Strengthened up, and looking the
judge in the eye, said: well, jedge,
cts this way-thar's four er these yere
men that won't agree" The Judge dis
missed the jury, and the case went
over until the next term
James &. Broome.
Perhaps the best known man, and
decidedly the most distinguished look.
ing, in the next senate will be James
E. Broome of Quincy, the senator from
Gadsden. Mr. Broome has long been
prominent in the public fife of Florida,
and has served his county n the sem
ate for twelve years.
Mr.. Broome's father, or the same
name, was for four years governor of
Florida, and his picture occupies con-
spicuous place in the executive offices
at Tallahassee. He was elected gov
ernor over George T. Ward, of Leon
county, brother-in-law of the late
John A. Henderson, and one Of the
brightest and ablest men that Florida
has ever produced. Mr.. Ward was
democratic standard bearer received
majority of the votes cast, though
it was very small majority.
Senator Broome is a drummer. and
one OF the most versatile o: chat YER
satile class of men. fie looks every
inch the polished statesman and diplo-
mat, and in the senate he discharges
1t is said that when Dr. Crawford
died in 1902, Senator Broome was a
candidate for the appointment of Sec
rotary Of state A few months after
the appointment of the present secre-
tary of state, Senator Broeme an
nounced his candidacy for the posi-
ton in the primaries that were to be
held in hatyear,l and began an active
canvass of the state. Towards the
close of the campaign, however, he
gracefully withdrew from the race,
and stated that he was perfectly will
ing for the secretary to fill out the
unexpired term of his father. Two
years ago he was again q candidate,
and made a thorough canvass of the
state. In the first primary Mr.. Craw.
ford led him nearly three thousand
votes, and in the second primary de-
feated MIR. Broeme over five thousand
votes.
The senator was not to be downed
by this defeat, however, and he re-
turned to Gadsden last year, and an
nounced for his old position in the sen.
ate. His opponent was Baxter Camp
{ bell of Quincy, who was Z member Of
the last house Of representatives from
Gadsden. After a spirited campaign,
Mr.. Broome proved an easy winner,
and now goes back to the senate to
take up the duties he laid down when
he first became candidate for secre-
tary OF state.
1t has long been the ambition of
Senator Broome to be governor of
Florida, but like some other politicians
in the state, the psychological moment
has never arrived for him, and he has
never offered himself as candidate
for this position. The day may come
yet when he viii enter yflis contest,
and when he does he is going to make
surprising race. Mr. Broome's de-
feat for secretary of state was doubt
less due more than anything else to
the theory held by the people of keep
ing good man in Office. Rotation in
Office is not a democratic doctrine, and
when the senator from Gadsden went
up against the present secretary Of
state he had no argument 70 advance
for his election; he could not attack
the secretary's record, and his only
campaign cry was the rotation
theory" which, as in many another
case, the people disapproved of. In
running for governor he would not be
handicapped by this obstacle; there
would be no mans record to break
down, but straight road to run on,
with his own excellent record to help
him. There are many people in the
state who would like TO see the sena-
tor from Gadsden enter the guberna-
torial race, and it is possible he may
yet do so.