The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1916-02-15

! Hartford, Feb. 15.-PreSent 1no1ca-
lions point to p lively time among the
Republicans of Connecticut during the
next few months. There are four
| openly avowed candidates for the
nomination for governor and one re-
centive candidate Governor Hol-
combs declaration last week that he
would accept a, denomination If the
convention saw fit to select him Tor
another term has a particular interest
for each of the others. The governors
declaration does not make him a can
didate but it has been suggested to
many Republicans that the party could
not do better than place him again at
the head Of the ticket 1t makes his
denomination a. possibility and for tina
reason it cannot be ignored.
Two of the candidates haNe made
kstatements relating to their position
in view of Governor Holconb's inten-
tons One other had nothing to say
when he was invited to make a state
ment and the fourth is, enjoying the
balny weather of the south.
,HeaIy Admires Governor, But
stThe announcement that Governor
Ho1comb will accept the nomination
makes no difference with my candi-
dacy'' said Speaker Frank E. Hea1y.
ST have a great admiration for Cow
ernor Holco1nb and before amounted
that Z was a candidate asked him if
piled that he did not. assured him
that if he did would 10 everything
in my power to secure his renornina-
ton. It was only when the governor,
himself, told me he did not desire to
continue in the Office after the end of
his present term that I announced my
candidacy. Governor Holcomb has
given the state an excellent admins
tration and he would make a strong
candidate. But I do not think he viii
be- renonainated. have every reason
to be encouraged with nay canvass
and feel assured of being nominated.
However, If another is nominated
will do what can to elect him.
Who's Afraid? Says Webster.
Comptroller Morris G. Webster has
not any doubt about his own inten-
lions. He says:
ST do not see why should retire
from the contest for the Republican
nomination because of Governor Bol-
combs declaration. It certainly does
not change the situation. What the
convention wants, the convention will
have. I viii be a candidate, before
the convention. Nothing has occur
red to make 1T necessity for me to
change my position. There is moth
ing new in the recent developments.
The governors announcement is no
surprise to me. I have been expect
ing it,
Wilson Stays In.
Nothing to say" was the reply of
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Clifford B. Will
son, when asked of the governors an
nouncement affected his candidacy
But while the lieutenant governor
wouldn't talk, his friends were not so
reticent They did not hesitate to
say that, Mr.. Wilson would remain in
the race until the convention was h cid
and that tn ere would be no relaxation
of his efforts nor of theirs to secure
for him the nomination.
BIakesIee Firm.
Former Lieutenant Governor Dem
mis- A. BIakeslee was in the south and
could not be reached, but it was UNI
derstood in New Haven that he would
not abate his efforts to win the covet-
ed prize at the convention, not even
if the governor should formally de-
clare that he was a. candidate for re-
nomination.
More to be Heard From?
On the superstition that none of the
candidates already in the field will
retire before the convention is called
to order, that they will all give their
friends among the delegates an OPP
portunity to vote for them, and that
there may be an addition to the nunrSA
Der of aspirants before the list is clos
ed. it is probable that the Republican
convention this year, for the nomina-
ton of a state ticket, will be remark
able for the large number of candi-
dates for the nomination for COVER
nor.
There is an occasional hint from
MiddIesex county that the name of
Judge Sflas A Robinson may be add
ed to the list and the hint finds an
echo in various places.
There are people in Hartford county, /
and in other counties, too who could
easily be convinced that the Republi-
cans could not do better than nomf-
nate Colonel Louis r. Cheney of this
city and it is understood that the |
colonel would not object to the i'm
preston becoming more general.
Contest of '04.
Perhaps one of the most interesting |
contests in which there have been
more than two candidates before the +,
was that in 1894 in which /
D. Vincent Coffin was nominated. 1t
was at that convention that the late /
Henry G. Robinson made a verbal slip
which caused great deal of amuse- (
nerit and, perhaps, some discomhture, /
though it is not likely Mr.. RobinsOn's !
candidates lost any votes by it. That |
was also remarkable for |
the fact that the Republican machine !
was beaten and badly, too. The late
ColoneI Frank w. Cheney was favored
OY the machine anu Ills IldK14C w eAo
presented by Mr.. Robinson. In con- T
eluding his speech Mr.. Robinson said
hat if the convention nominated Col
1neI Cheney the electors would place
him in the Charter Oak chair. Ehe
ate Judge William T. Elmer of Mid
lIetewn followed Mr.. Robinson and
presented the name Of his townsman,
Mr. Coffin. He alluded to Mr.. Robin
sons Charter Oak reference and said
le and other friends of Mr.. Ccmn
we're perfectly willing Colonel Cheney 1
should occupy the Charter Oak chair,
is the chair was for the use of the
eutenant-governor
Candidacy of Porter.
In addition to Mr.. Coffin and Colonel
Cheney there were two other candi-
lates before the convention of 1894,
Samuel e. Merwin, who had been lieu
enant governor, and John Addison L