Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1917-09-02
ROBERTSON, GAULT
AND DURANT LEAD
Dopester Picks Men He Says
Will Lead in Democratic
Primary 1918.
President of Board of Agricul-
ture Will Have Strong
Following.
CBy WILLIAM GENTRY.)

Notwithstanding a variety of ma
tional issues before the public these
lot, midsummer days, and the long
time intervening before the next
gubernatorial primaries, there is con-
siderable activity among announced,
probable and prospective candidates
in a preliminary endeavor to gain ad-
vantages in what may be called the
skirmish for position in the scrap for
the democratic gubernatorial nomina-
ton in 1918. Many of the candidates,
yet unannounced, have their captains
in the field; lieutenants are busily
engaged in perfecting organizations;
orderlies are accommodating the situa-
tons, and, in few instances, past
party differences are being brought to
the surface for reconciliation.
In many sections the rank and file
of the Democratic party are being
urged to gather for effective n.obiliza-
ton, and thousands of details are be-
ing arranged for the big battle that
will be fought to a fraZZle little
over year hence. That battle prom
ises to be an epoch making event in
its fury and recrimination; 1t will be
a veritable scorcher.
In the first place. there Will be
several elements heretofore unknown
in gubernatorial primaries. There will
who have never shown more interest
in primary election than to cast
their votes. The real districts will
be heard from in manner hereto
fore unknown, and decision Will be
reached on merits rather than by
manipulation.
No More Machines.
Another phase of the primaries will
be the demonstration of n general
weariness of witnessing the conven-
tional campaign Vaccinations, and a
manifest effort on the part of the
farmers, live stock breeders small
business men and laborers to nomi-
nate a man on whom they can de-
pend for an equitable and honest ad-
ministration of the states affairs.
In the coal and oil regions the men
of big affairs feel at liberty to center
on an honest, capable candidate who
will give them nothing more than a
square deal; they ask nothing more
than justice, and as yet their minds
are open to a choice. In the agri-
cultural counties of the state things
are different and farmers have al
ready delved into the situation to the
extent of displaying an unusual in
terest In the coming campaign.
AS far back as last winter the Fred
eTlck IedueT started tne DaIl rOlllnR
by the publication of an editorial in
which ii was claimed that Judge Rob
ertson should be given the Democratic
nomination for governor in 1913 on
account of his having gracefully
withdrawn from a former race for
the good of the party, and assuming
that Robertson would have been the
nominee in the last primary had it
not been for the large number of
votes Al Jennings DETECTED from him.
Later Bill Durant came out with a
flat-footed announcement that he is
IA candidate for the offive of gov
ernor subject to the action of the
Democratic primaries" Bill Alexan-
der asserts that he has been prom
ised the support of Roy Stafford, the
oklahoma City newspaper man. and
can get the support of Bob Williams
Tor the asking, but he is still with
holding his announcement until the