The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1919-10-31
POLITICS AND POLITICIANS
(By A. T. Edmonston.)

Ambassador to Russia, now at home
until some stable form of government
is established in that Bolshevikrid-
den country, is not a candidate for the
Democratic nomination for United
States Senator from Missouri. In a
letter to W. G. Mackey, Chief Build
ing Inspector of that city, who is
chairman of a committee of Spring
field democratic business men who re-
Gently launched the senatorial boom
from there for the United States Am
bassador to the former land of the
Romanotfs, former Governor Francis
declares that he "must in all frank
ness say that am not, and do not ex-
pect to be candidate for the Senate
or for any other office"
The Springfield committee, Of which
Mr.. Mackey is chairman, recently
adopted resolution appealing to
former Governor Francis to make the
race for United States Senator to
succeed Seldom P. Spencer, Repub-
lican. Ambassador Francis reply to
the resolution as published a day or
two ago in the Springfield Leader,
follows:
"To attempt to express to you and
through you to the members of the
Francis Committee the satisfaction
and pleasure which the letter gave to
me, or to express the appreciation
which ! feel for the compliment and
honor paid me, would be a failure.
But you can doubtless in a measure
approximate how it has warmed my
heart. after receiving such a wonder
full welcome here in st. Louis, and
again in Kansas City, to have the ad-
ditional knowledge that those repre-
sentative men who wrote me the let
ter thus do me honor.
much as | appreciate your appro-
baton and regard; and, as much as 1t
would strengthen me to know that |
represented such men, | must in all
frankness say that ! am not, and do
not expect to be, candidate for the
Senate or for any other office.
But do hope, sometime, to again
have the pleasure of visiting Spring
field and shaking each of you by the
hand and thanking you face to face
for the compliment you have paid
me-"
The written declaration of Ambas-
sador Francis that he is not and does
not expect to be a candidate for the
Democratic nomination for United
States Senator at the primary of next
August will have tendency to in
crease the number of possibilities for
the place. Among those mentioned at
present, besides Ambassador Francis
who has now eliminated himself, are:
Governor Frederick D. Gardner, DR..
T. M. johnson, Charles Hay, Attor-
ney-General Frank w. McAllister,
Breckenridge Long, A. M. Dockery,
Judge Daniel G. Taylor, Frank H.
Farris and Champ Clark. Ever since
the Democratic pow-wow and love
feast at Jefferson City, October IA,
many Democratic papers of the
State have been pointing with pride
to the record and achievements Of
Governor Gardner in making his ad-
ministration not alone an economical
one, but also highly efficient one.
Particular mention has been made of
his brilliant coup Of paying State
deficit of over 100000, a small por-
ton dating back years, but which as
sumed exceedingly high proportions
during the four years, 1909 to the close
of 1912, that the mysterious stranger
ran the executive and financial af-
fairs of Missouri with free and I'M
controlled hand"
The movement which started dur
ing the Jefferson City Democratic con-
ference to draft Governor Gardner to
become the Democratic nominee for
United States Senator on the 1920
State ticket, has gained Roadway in
the rural portions of the State, say
those who are responsible for it, and
it only needs little more tanning to
make it certain proposition.
So far, Governor Gardner has not,
personally, or through close friends,
made it known by sign, or voiced ad-
mission otherwise, that he has heard
the call of a portion of Missouri De-
vocracy to become the Senatorial
standard-bearer on the ticket of next
year, and therethrough help to again
drive the "mystrious stranger" from
Missouri.
Close friends of former Governor
Joseph w. Folk are of the opinion
that he will not again, at least not in
1920, enter the contest for the Demo-
cratic nomination for United States
Senator, and as for 1922-well that,
they say, is still matter of the fu-
ture.
Charles M. Hay, who some years
ago achieved statewide fame by rep
resenting that Democratic strong
hold, Galloway county, in the legisla-
ture, and who is now practicing law
in st. Louis, has Democratic boosters
who are anxious for him to get into
the running, promising that he will
make a good showing out in the ru-
raj regions where he is well known
and popular.
The name of DR.. j. T. M. Johnson,
a st. Louis banker, who was at one
time minister of the Gospel, is also
frequently being coupled with the
coming Democratic race for United
States Senator, and he has support
ers who declare he will walk away
with the plum if he will only consent
to enter the contest.
While Charles P. Higgins, formerly
Sergeant-at-Arms of the United
States Senate and few years ago Elk
else Commissioner of St. Joseph, has
the honor of starting the senatorial
boom for Breckenridge Long, the
movement has gained some Roadway