Los Angeles herald., 1910-05-14
BOOTH TOO BUSY
FOR SENATE JOB
Reluctantly Declines Republican
Nomination Because of
Business Pressure
WISEACRES ARE SKEPTICAL
Believe That Refusal Is Due to
Fear of Machines Re-
ported Weakness
WISEACRES ARE SKEPTICAL
BY II. SHELLEY SUTTON

Willis Booth will positively lot be
candidate for the Republican nomina-
ton for the United States senate.
Mr.. Booth so informed The Herald
last night, after several weeks of care
full consideration, stating that his bust
ness interests in Los Angeles demand
so much of his attention that he has
found it utterly impossible to arrange
his affairs to make the sacrifice.
"I earnestly regret" he said, that
have been so long in reaching this de-
cision, but L have been in hope that
| could so arragne my business that
1t would be possible to become a candi-
date, and, if elected, devote myself to
the work and duties which would be
expected of me by my friends.
"I could not, however, consent to
become a candidate unless certain that
If elected 1 could discharge my duties
to the fullest extent of my ability, and
devote all my time and energy to CIV
ing our great state the fullest repre-
sentation in the United States senate.
"I wish to thank my friends, through
The Herald, who have been so ardent
in their support of what they believed
would be my candidacy. The influence
that has been brought to bear on me,
in the hope that I would try to become
the successor of Senator Flint, has
been truly tremendous, and I am
greatly honored at this wide manifes-
tation of friendship, for it has come
from men of all political factions,
and therefore has been difficult for me
to resist. Nor would resist it if by
any means ! could arrange my busi-
ness to permit of my absence in Wash
ington for the next six years"
BLOW TO MACHINE
Mr.. Booths announcement will come
as a blow to the so-called machine
Republicans, who, according to the
best authenticated political gossip, had
planned to get back of Mr. Booth if
he became a candidate. He was gem
orally recognized by the machine Re-
publicans as the strongest man they
could possibly put up, and they hoped,
with Mr.. Booth in the race, to win the
senatorship.
Several political wiseacres, including
not few of the close personal friends
of Mr.. Booth, stated last night, when
the rumor of his negative decision
leaked out that his refusal was due
not so much to his business affairs,
which are admittedly extensive, as to
his fear of the weakness of the ma
chine.
1t is generally agreed that it will be
extremely difficult this year for the
machine to get the kind of man neces-
sary to win the election against such
candidates as Hiram johnson, Judge
Works, Theodore A. Bell and others,
whom the Democrats and Lincoln
Roosevelt league have been putting
into the race.
The practical Endorsement of such
clean-cut men by these organizations,
whose strength is increasing every day,
means that If the regulars hope to
keep them from getting the nomina-
tion they must put up men of similar
clean 7cut character and spotless repu-
tation, with equal zeal, competency
and active familiarity with the needs
and conditions prevailing in the Golden
state.
WAS ONE BEST BET
When the name of Willis Booth was
suggested, it Is said, the word came
from San Francisco to indorse him.
HE will win," said the San Francisco
machine men. I'VE can't do better"
And as there is a dearth of desirable
timber in the northern section of the
state, the Los Angeles machine was
delighted at the prospects of securing
such commendable candidate.
But all these hopes have been blight
ed In the bud Mr. Booth evidently
does not wish to be targed with the
S. P. stick, and after several weeks of
careful consideration he has declined
to run.
So passes another delusion.
Who now, will be the candidate?
Long ago, when the present cam
paign was young and in it's swaddling
clothes, Mother Grundy whispered the
name of Ed Meserve. When the news
leaked out last night that Mr.. Booth
had "gone back" on the machine, one
of the political Cassandras of the old
wing stated confidently that "Meserve
would be the man.
"It seems to be Hobson's2 choice now,
anyway" he said, "If Booth won't
run, it looks like it must be Meserve.
However, l think Meserve will make
a good showing. It's too bad, though
4 really wanted to see Booth go
after it,"
That seems to reflect the opinions of
most of them