The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1913-07-29
STATE POLITICS
ARE AN ENIGMA
-
Massachusetts, Campaign Prom
ises to Be Most Interesting
in Its History
F0SS C0MPLIcATES SITUATION
Believe Governor May Return tc
Republican Ranks
DEMOCRATIC PARTY DISRUPTED

Boston, Mass, July 29.-Lines are
being drawn for one of the most inter
esting state campaigns in the history
of Massachusetts. In the Bay State
this fall an entire state ticket, both
branches of the legislature and num-
erous county ofIicres are to be chosen
at the polls. The campaign is now
on for the nominations. which will be
made at a general primary two months
hence.
At present the political situation APP
,, pears to be in the worst possible mud
die. The confusion that now prevails
may be said to arise wholly from the
attitude of Governor Foss. who is now
serving his third term. The governor
is expected To be candidate for a
fourth term. But, strange as il may
seem, even his most intimate political
associates do not know whether he will
seek the Democratic nomination or the
Republican nomination, or whether he
will pass up both parties and run in
dependently
Though elected three times on the
Democratic ticket, Governor Foss is
undoubtedly out of sympathy with the
Democratic party at present. His pub
lie statements say that he believes the
Democratic policy Of tariff revision is
no better than the Republican as evi-
denced on the Aldrich bill The gov
ernor is first. last and all the tim,
fighting for reciprocal trade relations
with foreign countries.
May Return to 6. o. p.
There is no question but that in the
past few weeks the governor has beer
sparring with the Republicans and this
has given rise to the belief i'm some
circles that he may enter the Repubii-
can primaries. The governor was a
strong Republican until "A few years
ago. when he accepted "A Democratic
nomination for Congress, and many
Democrats accuse him OF still being a
Republican at heart. The governor
has lent countenance to this by his
recognition Of Republicans in his APP
pointments and by the fact that he has
sent for many of the Republican lead
ers to talk over the situation. At the
present time one of his Republican
friends is circulating petitions to have
his name placed on the Republican pri-
mary ballot, but whether with or with
on hn l., 81
known
There is a growing belief that the
only logical course for Governor Foss
to pursue is to run as an Independent
candidate. And it is believed the gov
ernor himself is inclined to take this
view. II is doubtful if he could poll
any thing like the full party strength on
either the Democratic or Republican
tickets. But by running independently
IL Is figured that he could dray a con-
siderable element from both parties.
Republicans Have Hope.
AS an Independent candidate the
governor probably would make re-
form in the labor situation his big local
issue. He maintains that the leader
ship of organized labor in Massachu-
setts and throughout the country is
corrupt. ana that the members of or
ment for reform with the organization.
With the Democratic party more or
less disrupted over Governor Foss the
Republicans believe they have good
chance of reclaiming the Bay State at
the fall election. The Democratic nom
to Lieutenant Governor David l.
Walsh Last year Mr.. Walsh withdrew
from the fight for the Democratic
nomination for governor because he
believed that Governor Foss was en-
titled on his record to another term.
Mr.. Foss was reelected and Mr.. Walsh
was elected the first Democratic lieu
tenant governor in the history of the
state Ir announcing his candidacy
for governor this year Mr.. Walsh de-
clared he had the assurance of Govern
or Foss that he( Governor Foss) would
not seek denomination on the Demo-
cratic ticket. Mr.. Walsh is expected
TO receive the support of the regular
Democratic organization.
Moosers Are a Problem.
The Republicans enter the campaign
handicapped by the lack of strong
candidate and the opposition of the
Progressives. Colonel Everett c. Ben
ton is the only avowed candidate for
the Republican gubernatorial nomina-
tion, and there appears to be little
doubt but that he will receive the
nomination without opposition. Colonel
Benton has the reputation of being an
able business man. but is without ex-
perience i'm public life. Last year he