Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1916-02-09
Wise Ones Trying to Figure
Out Just How Far Speak
er's Candidacy viii Upset
Plans of Holm 0, BufSun
REPUBLICAN SCRAMBLE
FOR OFFICE GROWS HOT
Democrats Lying Low With
Little Talk Of a Definite Ma
ture on Prospects for Nomi-
nations Going On

I The news received from Las Vegas
yesterday of the endorsement by the
republican county central committee
Of Sccundino Romero for the COVER
norship. which was taken to mean the
opening gun In an active fight BY the
former speaker of the house, served
TO arouse lively gossip In local repub-
lican circles and to set politicians Oh
both parties to specializing as to what
the future holds in the way of dis
tribution OF plums. The entrance or
Romero into the race was not alto
gether unexpected, but nevertheless II
ircsultcd In more or less decided
shake-up in the political Kaleidoscope.
For the last two or three months
Holm O. Bursum has stood forth as
the most commanding figure In the con-
test for the republican nomination for
governor, and many observers Of ae-
knowledged sagacity have gone so far
rs to assert that the Socorro county
man would have easy sailing and that
his selection by the convention next
summer was a forcgone conclusion.
Now these same sagacious ones are
wagging their heads and saying that
they don't know so much about that
after all.
For Secundino Romero is undoubt-
eddy Il factor to be reckoned with. He
is an aggressive fighter. is in com
pietc control of the republican ma
chincry in san Miguel, and enjoys a
very positive strength among the
Spanish American voters In the heav-
lily republican counties OF northern
New Mexico. Furthermore, his pos
ition IA speaker Of the house In the
last legislature gave him exceptional
opportunities to form advantageous
combinations with leaders in every
part of tho state.
Bursum. Of course, is not yet for
mally In the raee--that is to say. he
has not yet made formal announce
ment Of his candidacy But those
close to him declare that such an an
nounccment has not been and II not nj
this time necessary; that all the lead
ers and practically all the rank and
file Of the party have known for
months that he would expect the gu
bernatorial nomination at the hands
Of the convention, and that his politi-
cal wires are already laid and ready
to be put in operation at any moment
At all events, the happenings of the
next few weeks will be followed closely
by those who Hike TO tell In advance
what is going to happen in politics.
Catr0n and Hubbcil.
The announcement Of Senator Cat.
ron, sent out from Washington few
days ago and published first in the
Journal of Monday, did not, of course
surprise anybody. II had been taken
for granted that the senior senator
from New Mexico would ask for an
endorsement OF his record at the
hands of his party and that his formal
announcement of his candidacy for re-
election was only a matter of what he
considered the hest time to make II.
The belief prevails among Senator
Catron's friends that he will. at the
earliest convenient time. arrange his
affairs in Washington and come back
to New Mexico to take personal charge
of his campaign for the nomination.
In the meantime Frank Hubbell IS
proceeding quietly with his canvass.
lie has been staying close to his office
since he announced his candidacy. and
probably viii not undertake TO 20 out
over the state for some time to come
lie is keeping Il staff of stenograpAers
busy with his political correspondence.
and is purchasing the most effective
method possible AZ this early stage of
the race to keep himself before the
republican voters OF the state.
In this connection an interest story
is going the ROUNDS TO the effect that
when convention time arrives next
summer Senator Albert Bacon FAN will
be found arfayed squarely with the
lIuhbell forces and against his col
league, Senator Catron. OF, course,
this is the sort of story that it is i'm
possible to verify but the friends of
Mr. Hubbell speak of the matter with
the utmost confidence.
Jones Sure to Hun.
On the democratic side Of the fence
the only recent development of any
consequence is the assertion by those
in position TO have fun knowledge
of what they are talking about that
it is only question of time before
Assistant Secretary of the Interior y.
4. Jones will announce his candidacy
for the democratic nomination for the
senate When interviewed on the sub
iect while the state central committee
WAS in session in Santa re last week
MIR. Jones would have nothing to say,
hut there is every reason To believe
that his trip to New Mexico at that
time was made for the definite pur-
pose of getting a line-up on the sena-
toriai situation and preparing the
ground for an announcement later.
The impression prevails that Felix
Martinez does not want the nominal
ton for the senate and could not be
prevailed upon to accept it, except as
a last resort. Certainly If he is a
candidate he has given little evidence
Of that fact. lie is a man of large
affairs and is very busy making