The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-03-17
WHO IS WHO AND
WHO WANTS WHAT !?
IN OTHER WORDS DOES TUCKER
WANT FEDERAL OFFICE AND
WHO rs REFEREEs
SITUATION UNCERTAIN
NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW WHETHER
TUCKER WILL OPPOSE STUART
FOR GovERNoRsHIP
OR NOT.

Friends and opponents Of Harry ST
George Tucker have been greatly per-
picked recently as to his intentions in
regard TO the governorship.
Until recently 1t was the suppose
ton of practically all of the poiit-
clans and those who take cognizance
of political affairs that Mr.. Tucker
would be candidate for governor.
In fact. not SO many months ago
he asserted as much, repeating what
he had said shortly after his defeat
by Judge Mann four years ago, but
with Henry Stuarts open announce
ment and the approach of the time
for the beginning of the campaign. if
one Is to be made, and no move from
by Mr. Tucker or his friends. doubt
has become more general and today
no one seems to know whether he In
tends to enter the lists against Mr.
Stuart or not.
What Does He Want
1t had been tacitly assumed that
MIR Tucker preferred the almost GER
= tainty Of a federal appointment TO the
uncertainty of a long and costly cam
paign. But Mr. Tucker, apparently.
Is not seeking a federal appointment
II is no secret that he would have
liked cabinet position, but it was
not expected that he would succeed,
and so far as known, he made efforts
10 secure it, Since that time ne has
consulted with the president on more
than one occasion, but each time in
the interest of some one else. He has
been mentioned for diplomatic post
but has been quoted as saying that he
desired none. He has been men
tened as successor to Judge Golf
but the reports of his recent interview
with Mr.. Wilson were to the effect
that he had seen the president in
the interest of Lucien Cooke, Of Roam
oke. who rs a candidate for the place.
Friends of the Lexington lawyer in
sist that he will be a candidate for
governor. and that he has made no
statement recently for the very good
reason that he has already announced
himself as Il candidate. Mr. Stuart
has opened headquarters. paid his fee
ana ts conducting an active canvass
At the meeting of the survivors of
the constitutional convention Friday
night, several indirect aitusion$ TO his
candidacy were made. and limitations
given by more than one speaker that
ne could count upon his support. II
Mr. Tucker is to he a candidate a
specific announcement Of his final de-
termination VIII probably come with
in the next few DAYS.
Who's the Referee
Rumors of quiet work In fuckers
behalf and of meetings of his friends
have been brnited about recently, hut
no one can be found TO vouch for
them.
Another question that IL engaging
the attention of local politicians in as
To who Is federal referee for Virginia
Much has been written OF the fight
between the machine" and the anti
machine" forces for superintendent of
the pie counter and il has been the
impression In some quarters that
Richard u. Byrd, who managed MIR
Wilson'S preconvention campaign
would control the patronage, but if
any of these men have the distribu-
ton of the offices none Of them knows
IT. Apparently. the leaders are as
much perpiexed as any of them In
he classic words of the North Caro-
lima congressman they are asking
w here are we att"
ONCE seekers do not know to whom
TO turn, and in desperation they are
turning Ia everybody in sight Seek
ars after local federal herths are par
acufariy worried for they not only do
NOT know who will have influence to
exercise in their behalf. but they do
not know whether there will be any
Offices for months and months TO
come. Postmaster Rurleson insists
upon the civil service system for max
ing appointments and besides Edgar
Alans job does not expire until next
December. PRESIDENT wilson has IN
timated that he will not Dust any of.
ficeholder until his term expires and
the ofiice-seekers who started in on
the chase shortly after Wilson's cleo
ton are already getting winded
Altogether officeholders. Office
seekers would-be referees and all 9TH
ers are in a maze of doubt and UNI
certainty. When the plum drops ev-
eryhody can see where it lands, but
fA RE H..
scent before time are vain.