The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1907-10-09
N BRIDE WANTS
TO Be GOVERNOR
IN THREE CORNERED RACE FOR
MER CHIEF EXECUTIVE Ex-
PECTS TO WIN.

oiSCuSSlllS the pOlltlCdl SitQdliOll III
this state the Seattle correspondent
to The Oregonian has the following:
If a close analysis of the republican
sentiment in this state indicates that
Henry Mcbride can be nominated for
governor, the former executive will
get into the fight. His friends are
working on that assurance, and they
tooth comb to locate the disaffected
parts and to ascertain whether Mr..
Mcbride is strong enough to win out
in the first direct primary contest.
Mr.. Mcbride has been told by his
friends that he can win, and that he
is the logical candidate to oppose
Governor Mead for denomination. He
has been told this story so Otter and
so positively that he is beginning to
believe it himself.
Those politicians and party men who
do not want to renominate Mr.. Mead
are skeptical about the chances S. G.
Cosgrove of Pomeroy, would have if
left in the fight alone against the pres
ident governor. There is no doubt as
to Mr.. Cosgrove's personal populari
ty. but close political observers do not
believe it is the kind of popularity that
attracts votes. Mr.. COsgrove himself
is confident and determined, but he
cannot convince the close students of
public sentiment that he could win.
That is one of the reasons why anti
Mead republicans have been so enthu-
siastic about the prospects of Mr.. Nc
Brides candidacy, for he is figured
strong where Mr.. Cosgrove is weak.
Strong in West and East.
The surprising thing about the Nc
Bride movement is that the great bulk
of his early strength appears to be
shown in western Washington 1t was
to be expected that Skagit county
would forget past differences and come
about again for him. Enough leaders
Of both factions in Skagit have been
to Seattle to affirm loyalty to him to
Indicate that he has regained any
strength he lost there since his defeat
in the 1904 convention. If the men
who used to know how certain districts
would vote, sill have that knowledge,
the same is true in most of the west
side counties.
Two separate caLvasses of eastern
Washington indicate that Mr. Mcbride
is as strong in that section as ever,
and these returns encourage him to
get into the fight again.
Mr.. Mcbride has made money both
in the law practice and in his lumber
Investments and he is now anxious to
be governor. That he will make his
fight is due in part to the pressure
brought upon him and the fact that he
has longing to reverse the defeat of
1904. His friends believe that he could
have WON in 1904 in a direct primary
fight, and they believe he could be
nominated now in either convention
or by direct primary
Mead's Strength Uncertain.
1t is hard to get line on Mr. Mead's
exact and dependable strength. 1t is
known that his organization will have
the hardest fight of its existence in
Whatcom county, where such leaders
as Hugh Eldridge, Mayor Frank
Black of Bellingham. State Senator
Robert Kline, ex-Fish Commissioner T.
r. Kershaw, and Fenton H. Merrill are
opposing him. 1t was reported severa,
weeks ago that his friends among the
timbermen We're notified that most of
those identified with such interests
would fight him, and there has been
repeated trouble in several of the other
counties.
For all that, politicians have not
overlooked the fact that Mr. Mead is
exceedingly we'll known that he is a
good mixer, is backed by a state or
ganization and is one of the most per-
slstent travellers in the state. If per-
sonal acquaintance counts, ne is a
very dangerous candidate. 1t is not
noticeable that many of the country
papers are opposing him. They NAV
oppose him later on. or they NAV not
show any interest. Mr. Mead NAV be
able to form powerful political aIIi-
ances that will strengthen him. In
TACT the strength of the present execu-
tive cannot be estimated until if is
known definitely who is to oppose him.
but that it is formidable is unoues-
tiohable
Candidates for Other Offices.
There has been comparatiyeIv little
talk of other state candidates. Attor
ney-General John D. Atkinson has a
powerful backing for the nomination
for lieutenant governor, and Ellis Nor
rison, of Seattle will ask the same
nomination. Apparently, S. H. Nichols
is unapposed for denomination for sec
rotary of state, but for that matter.
the lack of a definite announcement
from the capital of the present officials
plans has discouraged anyone from