The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1922-06-17
MACHINE POLITICS
MUCH IN EVIDENCE

liz
Richards, chairman of the Demo-
cratic state central committees:
my Dear Mr.. Richards:
Il hereby advise you that at the
1922 primary election | will be a
candidate for the Democratic nomi-
nation for the Office of lieutenant
governor of Nevada.
Respectfully,
Maurice j. Sullivan"
Sullivan's action was commented
on editorially by the Reno Gazette
as follows:
The Machine Rules
"The ability of the Nevada Demo-
cratic machine to discipline its men,
bers and dictate party policy is
shown by the withdrawal of Maurice
Sullivan for the gubernatorial con-
test.
IA year ago Sullivan announced
his determination to succeed Gov.
Boyle. His ambition was vetoed by
the little clique that dictates Demo-
cratic party affairs, which had de-
cided that is was necessary to nomi-
nate either Charles B. Henderson or
James G. Scrugham in order to
make somewhat possible the re-elec-
ton of the state brigade now in
control at the capitol. Henderson
was their real choice, as it was
believed that he would finance the
entire campaign, but when he re-
fused the nomination, Scrugham
was selected and Sullivan was
frankly advised to quit. His in
dignant refusal, upon the ground
that he deserved the nomination,
made no impression upon the little
handful of party rulers, who coldly
derailed his candidacy and told him
that he would either have to run
for congress or stand again for the
gubernatorial lieutenancy. He has
chosen the later.
"Sullivan's withdrawal clears the
way for the nomination of Mr..
Scrugham. The latter is very
polite gentleman and has been
steadily groomed by Gov. Boyle
for the past four or five years. He
is a former teacher at the Uuni-
versity of Nevada and resident of
Washoe county, and by reason of
this the Carson City brigade ex-
poets him to drag them back into
office for another four years.
patrick McCarran, former men,
Der of the supreme court, also
wishes to contest for che Democratic
nomination, but if he announces his
candidacy he will receive the same
discipline that has been applied to
Mr.. Sullivan. The transitory lead
ers of the state Democratic mach
inc have already made their Sc
lection and it is going to stand, de-
spite the palpitating ambitions of
men like Sullivan and McCarran."
Mr.. Sullivan had no comment to
offer yesterday after he had made
public his letter to the chairman of
his party organization. That he
would abandon his admitted ambi-
ton to succeed Governor Boyle had
been believed by many for some
time. Those claiming to be gin the
know" assert that Sullivan had fully
determined to announce his candi-
dacy for the governorship week
or two before the legislature con-
vened in January, 1921, but in the
fear that he might be embarrassed
in acting as the presiding officer of
the senate decided to postpone a
declaration until later. That he
would seek the governorship was
generally believed, however, and
many politicians of the Democratic
party appear to have done much
figuring on how to keep him out of
tne CONTEST. Short tiihe dSo Tic
suggestion of an effort to interest
him in the congressional job was
heard, and on top of this came the
story that the party leaders were
trying to persuade Mr.. Sullivan to
seek denomination and reelection to
his present office.
Harley Harmon of Las Vegas was
one time mentioned as a possible
candidate for the Democratic nomi-
nation for the lieutenant governor
ship, but this appears to have been
without authorization. Robert Rich
ards, deputy attorney general, was
also said to be considering entering