The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1908-01-31
GOV. FOLK ANNOUNCES
FOR THE SENATORSHIP.
Will Open His Campaign Early In Feb
tuary with Speech, Probably at
ST. Joseph.

NtHulOI 10 succeed senator stone
| To a Republic representative h,
stated TO. night that in the course
of few weeks he will open hi,
campaign with an address at some
point III the State, and continue
his campaign from then, as far as
official duties will permit, until the
election in November.
The point at which the Governor
opens his campaign probably will
be st, Joseph, aud the time early
in February. In that address the
Governor will make his appeal to
1 the Democratic voters Of the State
upon which he hopes to WIN the
contest. This, in addition to the
statement attached, was all the
Governor cared to say on the sub.
1 Jcct 70 night.
This will be the first contest be.
tween Democrats over the office Of
nltrd States Senator since the
Civil War At times, during the
long careers OF Senators Vest and
Cuckr"ll, there was talk of opposI.
ton, but never was there II real
contest So the majorty of the
men who have been voting in
Missouri for more than sixteen
years were not born when the last
Democratic contest occurred.
The Governor would not discuss
his probable strength in the State,
although 1t is no secret that con.
siderable support has been rendered
him on the theory that he would
presently announce himself as
candidate.
He says in his statement that he
is not playing favorites in the CUB
ernatorlal race, but intimates that
IN the event some candidate should
announce hostility to the ideas of
law enforcement which he has so
perslstently advocated, that he will
not feel under any obligations to
keep hands off, Notwithstanding
the fact that he is Governor and n
candida for the United States
Senate.
THE GOVERNOR $ STATEMENT.
The Governors statement fol.
lows:
IT ! can be of service To the
party aud to those who believe in
the ideas | have been advocating
10y allowing my name to be con.
sIdeIed for United States Senator.
| shall do SO. shall continue the
fight in official position if the
people desire; if they release me
from further Official duties shall
fight on in private life for the
principles l have battled for to the
best of my ability in public station.
My name will go before the Legls
lature of 1909 only in the event at
least plurality of the Democratic
votes are cast for me in the sena
torial primary. shall do all in
my power to have the will of the
Democratic voters as expressed in
that primary carried out by the
Democratic members of the General
Assembly.
HANDS OFF GUBERNATORIAL RACE.
AS to the gHbernatorial nomi
nation | have 10 more interest in
that than any other Missouri Dem.
ocrat. | am not endeavoring
either to have any one run or to
keep anyone from running. Any
Democrat in the State has the right
to make the race if he chooses to
90 so.
One Of the measures | advo-
Gated was the State. wide primary
law, under which no man or set of
men can control nominations. This
power is now in the hands of the
people and it rests with the more
than 5000 Democrats of Mis-
souri, to say who the party candi.
date for Governor shall be
1t has never been my idea that
the Governor should be merely a
party boss, ind have refused to
assume that role. | would regard |
1t as unwarranted to interfere be-
tween individuals where no prin-
ciple is involved. Where there is
it is quite another matter. |
As long as each candidate seems to |
indorse the policies of the admins
tration | see no occasion to take |
part in the fight, 1t is not clear
yet, however, what all the candi-
dates stand for, as none of them
have made speeches. Those who
believe in the course pursued by my
administration will naturally sup
port that candidate who most near.
~ represents the ideas that the nd
has been contending