The Palatka news. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1905-1908, 1907-11-15
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] STATE POLITICS.
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Among the interesting mid-weel
political announcements none will
prove more important in the calcula
tions of the several candidates fo
the United States Senatorship thar
the positive statement given out on
Tuesday by Congressman Stepher
M. Sparkman of Tampa that he
would not be candidate for the
higher house of the national con.
gress. Mr.. Sparkman had been i'm.
portuned by many influential citi-
zens to become a candidate for the
senatorship, but after mature con-
sideration of the subject and a very
general demand that he remain to
continue his excellent service in the
lower house, he has decided it to be
his duty to remain in the house and
keep up the work for his district.
Mr.. Sparkman, whose splendid
work for Florida as senior Demo-
cratic member of the rivers and har-
bors committee of the house is
known to the whole state, will proba-
bly, have no opposition in the cleo
ton for congressman from his dis.
trict when his present term expires,
and he will go back to the national
congress to continue his energetic
work for the benefit of his constitu-
ency.
His determination to stand for re-
election to the house instead of seek
ing deserved promotion to the SEN
ate will be received with much
pleasure all over the state.
The formal announcement of John
N. &. Stockton of Jacksonville as a
candidate for governor was made to
representative,o the Metropolis in
that city on Monday. Mr.. Stockton
had for weeks been considered as a
probable candidate and since it be-
came known that he was considering
the advisability of making definite
announcement so great has been the
pressure brought to bear upon him
that the wonder is he held out so
long. MI. Stockton is reported as
saying:
II have had the matter of becom-
ing candidate for the governorship
under consideration for some con-
siderable time. | have been repeat
edly, l might say, urged, in private
letters written me by friends and
people with whom | am not even
personally acquainted, to become a
candidate for governor, and | am in
formed by these friends that it is the
wish of a great many people in each
of the localities of Florida that | |
should enter the race.
II realize that the office of COVER |
nor is the highest in the gift of the |
people of Florida, and that the op- |
fn n hi, Go
benefit of the people of Florida are
greater in that position than in any |
other office that Florida man can |
occupy. 1t is very pleasing for a
man to know that so many people of
his native state express desire that
he should serve them, and | have
concluded to serve the people of |
Florida if majority of the Demo
cratic voters so decided in the pri-
maries to be held next year"
There are few better known men
in the state than John N. q. Stock
ton, and none in private life who
could command larger instant in
iividual following. He loves the
game of politics for the exercise, and
always crowds the fighting. He is a
man of magnetic presence-a verita
ole live wire--in public debate, and
in private-in the company of ac-
luaintances and straugers-he "has
4 voice of gladness and a mild and
gentle sympathy" that places him in
close personal touch with all and
sends him away bearing new friend
ships. AT the present time it looks
as if Mr.. Stockton was the favorite
among the candidates so far to an
lounce with the people of Palatka.
MI. Stockton stated that he would
lot attend Ocalas coming out" con-
7ention. He thinks it too early to
start the campaign, and in this sem
jiment he will have the endorsement
of the great body of Putnam county
voters.
Hon. VIM. J. Bryan a prominent
attorney and brilliant young orator
If Jacksonville is the latest to an
lounce his candidacy for the United
States Senate. Mr.. Bryan is native