The Columbus Commercial

BLAKESLEE'S SUCCESSOR
To be Named by Governor
COMMISSIONER
OF
AGRICULTURE RESIGNS TO DIRECT
EXPOSITION.

Jackson, Miss., July 15.-Now that H. E. Blakeslee has definitely accepted, according to reports, the post of director-general of the Mississippi Centennial Exposition, which means, as a matter of course, that he must resign as commissioner of agriculture and commerce, it will be up to the governor to fill the expected vacancy. In addition to the two prospects in sight at the present time, E. D. Gunning the young deputy commissioner, and J. S. Howerton, representative from Lee county, the personality of Mayor Swep Taylor of Jackson, has been projected into the arena and thrown on the screen. There is no man in the state who is closer to the governor than Swepson Taylor, and the impression prevails that he could
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BLAKESLEE'S SUCCESSOR WILL BE NAMED SOON
Continued from page one.

have the refusal, did he so desire. Just how this could square with Mr. Taylor's desire to succeed himself as mayor-commissioner of Jackson is the subject of considerable speculation, and it is believed that he would rather take his chances for the latter than to be shelved by such an appointment as that which is said to be open to him.

Representative Howerton was an early arrival at Jackson today and was being well received by those with whom he came in contact. There are a few skeptics who are inclined to look on askance at this as another phase of the political play which is being enacted, or is believed to be under way. It is thought to be a scheme to bring about the retirement of Mr. Howerton as a member of the Legislature, and so eliminate him from the position which he occupied in the session of 1916 as the "king of the tightwads," a position which he occupied by virtue of his place as chairman of the appropriations committee. At any rate, Mr. Howerton has one qualification, which is that he is a successful farmer.
That Mr. Blakeslee is the right man for the place which has been tendered him is the universal verdict of those who have given the matter consideration, as he is ideally fitted for the duties of director-general.

Governor Bilbo was still absent from Jackson, but is expected to arrive some time Saturday, probably late in the day. However, he communicated by telephone with Mr. Buck, his private secretary, saying that Mr. Blakeslee has accepted the post tendered him at a salary of $6,000 a year during the pendency of the commission, both before, during and the winding up of the exposition. Furthermore, as announced by the governor, he has already decided upon the man to whom he will offer the post of commissioner of agriculture, whose personality he would disclose on his arrival at the capital, and not before.

According to Mr. Buck's statement, Governor Bilbo did not state whom he had in mind, though he is certain that it is not Mayor Taylor, who has stated quite emphatically that he would neither apply for or accept the post if tendered him.

The guessers have narrowed it down to two men, Edgar Gunning and Mr. Howerton, and are willing to let it go at that until the governor makes his announcement.

There are some dark horse possibilities, however, and speculation has free rein.