The Columbus dispatch., 1919-05-07
CONTESTS FOR THE
STATE OFFICES
ALL CANDIDATES ANNOUNCED
AND CAMPAIGN WELL ON.
MINOR OFFICES ATTRACT
LITTLE ATTENTION.
Number of Candidates Below Usual
Number-PrObably Five Thou
sand All Told in
the Field.

JACKSON, Miss, May 4.-The
starters have gone to the flag; the
race is now open. There are four
declared candidates for governor.
three for lieutenant governor, two
for attorney general, two for secre-
tary of state, two for treasurer, three
for supreme court clerk. two for
revenue agent, seven for railroad
commissioner in the three districts,
two each in the first and third and
three in the second. The present in
cumbents of the offices of insur-
ance commissioner, land commits
sioner, superintendent of education,
commissioner of agriculture and
Deputy Auditor w. j. Milelr is the
only candidate declared for auditor,
as the auditor serving is disqualified
by constitution from succeeding
himself, and the three penitentiary
trustees are all unopposed.
AS a rule, so far as cursury dip
ping into the records of the past
discloses, the number of candidates
in the aggregate seems to be con-
siderably lower than in previous
campaign years. This seems to be
particularly true in regard TO state
Offices and in lesser degree to coun-
ty. Offices, situation that is easily
understood, and is due largely to
the demoralizing Influences incident
al to war activities and the recon
struction processes which are at
work.
But even at that with abnormal
political conditions prevailing, it is
estimated that there are between
5000 and 5000 men within the
state who are engaged in running
for office; from beat constable up to
county sheriff, and so ON through to
governor. Some of these aspirants.
or declared cardidates have been
engaged in actual war activity in
the field, and in their continued alb
sence their names have been put up
for them by friends and admirers.
There are still in service with the
expeditionary forces in Europe men
who are formally declared as can
didates for county office or for the
Legislature, in some instances en-
tirely unknown to themselves.
1T is quite probable that history
will repeat itself in this campaign
year, and that the most exciting and
Notwithstanding of the local coun-
ty contests will be the most effec-
tive vote getters for the higher-up
office seekers. Certain it seems to
be, that with the probable exception
clerk of the supreme court, ieuten-
ant-governor and treasurer, the CON
tests for the other general offices
will be lacking in color compared
with similar periods during the past
20 wears.
ignore Russell offer.
1t may he that on account of the
very vital questions pertaining to
the retention of the state tax COM
mission, the pardon board and 9TH
er lines of political and economic
thought, which have been injected
into the campaign for governor, the
campaigns for the Legislature may
assume more thought and attract
more general interest than in past
years.
According to Lee. NJ. Russell's
campaign bureau, he has not heard
from his challenge sent his three
opponents in his race for governor,
but, as stated. he met Mr.. John
ston at Ripley on Monday. May
5. he hopes that Gov. Longino will
meet him at one of his Union coun
ty appointments on the 9Th, and that
Gen. Collins will meet him in Prem
tiss county or the 7th. Then he
would be ready to take on Mr. john
ston, somewhere in Alcorn" on the
sth, which he considers only the
fair way to do. i
1OA. RuSSeu 10 ICpOANCu 40 nav
ing spent two days the past week
in Monroe county, two days in Ita-
wanda and one day in Tishomingo, 1
where he was met, he states, by large
and enthusiastic audiences.
Capt. sehauber, representing Gov.
Russell, is the only one of the cam
paign managers to submit the early /
appointments OF his chief to the cor
respondent which indicate that this
week will be spent in three counties
Union, Prentiss and Alcorn. with
nine engagements in the latter, COW
ering Thursday. Friday and satur-
day. These engagements are:
Tuesday, May s. Union county:
CONTINUED on next page.)