Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1910-05-10
The GoVernorship.

Democrats everywhere in the state
are discussing the possibilities of vic.
tory in November and there is gen.
eral desire for convention for the
selection of the best candidates posi-
bic to be voted for at the primary.
The conditions demand the nomina-
ton of exceptionally able men, whose
character and ability will inspire pub
lie confidence; for to succeed, it will
be necessary not only to hold the
democratic vote but secure the sup
port of the large body of voters who
are bound to be dissatisfied with the
results of the republican primary and
the methods and practices of that
party.
Five aspirants have already an
nounced themselves as candidates for
the republican nomination for Gov
Strange, Fairchild, Barker,
Lewis and McGovern-with their
varying declarations of principles or
platforms. Under no circumstances
can anyone of the candidates secure a
majority of the party vote at the
primary, and split into factions as is
the republican party in this state,
not one of these candidates can hope
for election if the democrats will
nominate an acceptable candidate for
governor.
With Strange, Barker, Lewis and
McGovern vying with one another in
their proteStations of simon-pure re-
form with all the latest most radical
attachments, and each hoping that
LaFollette may lend an approving
smile TO mislead the rank and file of
the faithful into voting for him, not
one of these, should he receive pIur-
atty at the primary, can hope to re-
ceive the votes of the stalwart ele-
ment in the republican ranks that
Senator Fairchilds essentially repre-
sentS. The stalwart element would
be more bitter against Strange or
McGovern, while the opponents of
county option would in addition
become specially active to wreck the
hopes of either Barker or Lewis, while
should Fairchild receive a plurality
at the primary-which is most likely
under prevailing conditions-he could
hope for neither help or succor from
the half-breed LaFollette ranks and
would be knitted without mercy.
Among the democrats there is
neither rivalry of candidates nor fac
tions. There is uppermost the desire
that the most capable and acceptable
candidate be nominated individuals
may have favoritieS but the main desire
is that the candidate shall be the one
who can command the united support
of the party and the respect of the
opposition.
OF the men mentioned and most
discussed none has announced him.
self as candidate, but quietly and
seriously all over the state General
Arthur Macarthur, Congressman
Charles III. Weisse, Judge Anthony
Donovan and Burr w. Jones are dis
cussed and their merit under existing
conditions canvassed.
General Macarthur is recognized as
a man of great ability and executive
capacity, but there are those who be-
lieve that while he no doubt would
receive large vote from the dissatis-
fled republican ranks, that he would
lose the votes of many of those demo-
Gratis who in the past few years have
wandered from the fold and lent
their aid to sowing dissention in the
ranks of the enemy. Others while
admitting the eminent qualifications
and loyalty of the Hon. Burr w.
Jones, question his ability to draw to
his support the votes required from
the republican ranks. Congressman
Weisse or Judge Donovan of Madison