Mexico weekly ledger., 1918-02-07
CANDIDATES MAY COME.
OUT AGAINST Stone
Folk. Francis and Gardner Are Pros
p~setive Aspirants for the
Seaat0rship
DIVIDED FIELD A R
Belief Is That il Opposition Woult
Combine on One Man, Senator
Could Be Defeated

Belief Is That il Opposition Would
Combine on One Man, Senator
Could Be Defeated
From the st. Louis Post Dispatch
JEFFERSON CITY, No, Feb. 81
Senator stones attempt through his
recent partisan speech in the Senate
to throw Missouri Dcmocrates who
were cunning" for him OFF the trail
and start them on a "snipe hunt for
Roosevelt and Republicans in gener-
al has failed. and there is every in
diration that there has been no d.
minution inthe apparent Democrats
determination that Stone must retire
at the end Of his present term.
Men prominent in Democratic poll
tics Of the State. many Of whom have
been lifelong friends and supporters
Of Stone, are included among those
VINO say the Senator has outserved
his usefulness and that his opposition
to the administration, has made nee
essary his retirement.
Fear a Divided Contest
The gradually increasing number of
prospective candidates, however, is
causing much uneasiness to Demo-
cratic leaders, who seemingly are
sincerely DESTROYS of replacing Sem
ator Stone with a Democrat, and it is
known that a movement already is
under way to bring the candidates
together with a view to picking the
strongest man among them TO win,
and to obtain a promise from the
others that they will not be candi-
dates.
There is no doubt that Senator
Stones attitude toward the admin
istration has brought to his side that
portion of the German voters of the
State who were opposed to the United
States entry into the war, and in
addition to that the Senator is be-
lieved to have retained much of his
strength with the political spells ele-
ment Of the Democratic organiza-
ton, such as a part of the Demo
cratic City Committee in st. Louis,
in Kansas City and other larger cities
of the State.
Chance for Republicans TO Win
In view of this situation, it is ac-
cepted as a fact by Democrats gen.
orally that Stone can win the nom-
nation if there are two or more
strong candidates against him, ant
that he can be defeated if there is
only one strong candidate. If Stone
should be renominated, it eontinu.
ally is being pointed out by politica
students, the Republicans, by nom.
, mating a strong man could defea
Stone in the election.
, At present there are many indica
tons that in addition to Stone tn
candidates for the Democratic nom
nation for Senator will be forme
Gov. Joseph W. Folk, whose returl
: to st. Louis from Washington to b.
counsel for the Chamber of Com
merce, is taken among politicians t
be preliminary to an announcement
= Of his candidacy; Gov. Frederick D
Gardner and former Gov, David K
Francis. Ambassador to Russia, VIII.
was defeated for the nomination 70
Senator eight years ago by Senate
Reed.
/ Each of these has a strong follow
-" ing in the State, and if all candi
dates, the anti-Stone vote would be s
= divided that in all probability woul
be renominated.
Il Francis Expected to Run
L. Although there has been no pub
It lie announcement from Ambassado
ie Francis of an intention to become
u candidate, letters from him have bee
received by several Democrats out i
the State asking about Missouri polit
ical conditions. The Ambassador ha
asked particularly about sentiment {
n Missouri Democrats toward Stone, an
v has asked as to how Gardner stands
!! Those who have received the letter
/ believe Francis is seriously consider
ing becoming a candidate againi
Stone.
N Folk also has written from Wasf
II ington to many of his supporters {
other days asking similar question
g and has given the impression that h
wishes to u against Stone. Il
s has made no announcement more d.
it finite than that he is giving serioU
D. consideration to becoming a candidat
Gov. Gardner has announced r'
peatedly that he never would seek al
L other office, but his friends in the az
ministration are outspoken in the D.
lg lief that he would accept the nomi,
alton for Senator. This impressio
became more pronounced following h
We conference with Democratic leaders {
~ the executive mansion a week ag.
- which was told of exclusively in Ii
Post Dispatch.
Two Republican Prospects
~ With all the activity among II
70 Democrats, the Republican Leader
are combing their organization in Il
TT State in an effort to find a mar wi
he can defeat the Democratic nomine
whoever he may be. The fact thi
al political control Of Missouri has bee
m in the hands Of Democrats so long hi
given Republicans who might have Il
ability little opportunity to becon
widely known in the State.
I 1t is understood from reliable sour
IN es, however, that Cleveland A. Nev
C. ton, a St. Louis lawyer, who h;
Ill campaigned in every section of Il
S. State, will be picked for the Republ
can nomination for Senator. 1t
r. considered probable that Walter A
bo Dickey, multimillionaire of Kans;
City, who was defeated in the Ia
election by Senator Reed, again W.
- be a candidate.
to
er POLITE rupEE