The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1908-01-20
POLITICAL GOSSIP
FROM OLYMPIA
eAlLlNGER, Ex-CoMMlSSloNER
OF THE LAND OFFICE MAY BE
CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR.

Oily MPIA, Jan. 1S.-R. A. Ballinger,
of Seattle, has resigned as commission
er of the general land office at Wash
ington and will return to this state so
he may make the race for the repub-
hcation domination for governor. That
is the choice bit of gossip that has
reached here. and it comes pretty wen
substantiated.
While it was generally understood
when Judge Baliirger went east to &C.
cept the position rendered him by.
President Roosevelt that he would re-
main there but short time, his inter-
ests being all in this state, ii was
somewhat of surprise that he should
quit the federal position as soor. as he
will-quit 1t. in fact, when he is jus,
beginning to carry out the policies he
had proposed. OF course, if il is un-
derstood he is coming back here to en-
ter the gubernatorial race. the explana-
ton of the sudden return westward is
apparent.
Ballinger's candidacy is certain to
compllcate the fight-a fight that al
ready is sadly mixed by reason of man.
new conditions. This will be Washing
tons first state election under direct
primary. Again, it is to be the first time
United. States congressman from this
state are elected by districts, the Sc
lections having beer. heretofore made
each. Again, there is a United States
senator to be elected this time, and this
election will come partly under direct
primary and partly under the old plan.
That is to say while the legislators to
be elected this fall will probably be
pledged under the primary law to sup
port the party primary choice for sem
ator. there are a number of hold-over
senators. elected two years ago, who
are not bound by any such pledge. and
the votes of these hold-overs may be
the deciding ones in the selection. An
other lovely, feature of the situation Is
The second choice" provision of the
! primary law. Altogether, even at this
early date. the campaign gives promise
Of being mighty interesting.
Senators Ankeny VS.. Jones.
| The senatorial fight is fairly well
defined. The term Of Senator Levi
AnkeEy. of Walla Walla, expires. He
is in the race to succeed himself and
against him is opposed Wesley L. Jones
Of North Yakima, now congressman.
Years and years ago, when Ankeny
first started his fight for seat in the
American House of Lords he was ole
of the best beloved pioneer business
men and bankers Of the state. His de-
feats for the place and his final election
are a part of the political history Of
the state, some features Of which are
best forgotten. AS good citizen and
well intentioned man, no one can say
anything against Ankeny.
Jones has been active. energetic and
ION the fob" ever since he became a
congressman. The fight is practically
between these two men. George Turner,
of Spokane, will probably get the COM
plimentary vote of the democrats. but
there will hardly be corporars guard
of these in the next legislature, from
present appearances.
| Behind Ankeny is his money: always
a potent element in his contests. and
most of these. so-caised' cs;ring epoiitis
cians-fhe organization men. Iifs the
election of Piles. four years ago. man.
ayers for the Seattle candidate pledged
fsupport to Ahkeny this year. Senator
l-Pfies is probably Loyalty trying to live
up-to that fact.
In the guberr.atorial fight Albert z.
Mead, of Bellinghapf expeets renornfh-
f,ation on his record for this term. SO far
openly in the race against ihiln for the
republican nomination are Samuel Co.'S
grove. of Pomeroy, who has been
seeking the place for many, MAN.
weary years; Judge w. H. Smell of Ia
coma. and John d. Atkinson of Olym-
pia, the latter being now. attorney
general Judge Ballipger, former Gov
ernor Henry Mcbride and D. T. Ham Oh
Spokane, will probably soon be in the
fight and also there will be host Oh
self-nominated candidates, as under
the primary law any old man with the
fee can have a chance on the ballot.
The democrats so far mentioned are:
Eorp,or aIarhr Patrick s Byrne, OF