The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1910-11-01
Does Combination Exist
To Hold All the Offices?

a story 10 going the rounds Of the
state press and has been printed In
several papers in different form that
a combination has been formed among
some Of the most ardent and promi-
nent supporters of the late Governor
Broward, to capture and hold for
themselves all the highest ofices In
the state.
The ambition to bold once is an
honorable one and no one should ne
criticised for q desire to serve his
state or county IN any oh1cial posi-
ton, provided always, that he Is coin.
petent and that no impedir en.s
exist. However. an once seeker
should always stand on his own quail
1ications, his own merits and his own
personal character. There should be
no such thing as political heirship In
n republic. II has been tried in this
country and in nearly every instance
II has resulted In partial or total
failure.
The first time this was tried In
American politics, so far as a promi-
: f,ent position was concerned. was
when President Andrew Jacks N
forced the nomination and election Of
Martin Van Buren,. Van Buren's adj
ministration resulted in the over.
throw of his party.
In more recent years President
Roosevelt forced the nomination OF
Mr.. Taft and even the most ardent
and enthusiastic republican can hard
W call Mr.. Taft's administration a
bowling success.
II will not work. even when the
leader is dead.
Several men in high places and who
desire to attain still higher places in
Florida. assume to be the political
heirs of the lamented Napoleon Brow.
ard. Mr.. Broward In his lifetime
never made any remarks that would
go to show that he was maintaining
an understudy.
In speaking Of the senatorial situa-
ton In this state and Of the alleged
combination of so-called Broward
heirs. the Punta Gorda Herald, while
disclaimlng any responsibility for the
rumor, says:
The details Of IL are that the com.
bination plans to make Mr.. Bryan
United States senator; Hon. W. II.
Milton, of Marianne, governor; Hayes
Lewis, of Mariana, or Charley Davis,
Of Madison, congressman for the
third district; Herbert Phillips, of
Tampa, congressman for the first dis.
trict, and another one of their number
not yet named congressman for the
second district. The combination may
not actually exist, but 1t Is pointed
ort that none Of the gentlemen named
have ever denied that they are aspir.
ants for the places mentioned and
that they and other office-seekers and
oifice-holders We're foremost in bring
ing out Mr.. Bryan, and making him
the political heir of their former
chief, Ex-Governor Broward. Had the
unfortunate Broward not been cut
down on the threshold Of the realiza
tion of his great ambition to serve in
the senate, IL Is charged that Mr.
Bryan would have been the candidate
OF the alleged combination for con
gresham from the second district.
The Journal does not believe that
such a combination has actually been
formed. but for all practical purposes
10 the people of Florida once are led
TO believe that this society OF Brow.
ard heirs has been organized to ex
plot the state and garner the .plums
It might as well be true.
II is up to the gentlemen who arr
named in this rumor to come to the