The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-05-25
MUST FIDDLE IF YOU
WIN IN KENTUCKY

Lonisville-Music is playing an import
ant part in the Congressional campaigns
now on in n number of the Kentucky dis
trlct. At every political gathering in the
state the candidates are attempting to
win tie votes of the audiences with the
charms Of music. SO general has the Gus
tom become that the race in many dis
tricts has resolved itself into a fiddlers'
contest, and the candidate who cannot
play all the old tunes stands little show
of nomination, no matter how great may
be his power of oratory
This is corn planting time in Kentucky.
ard the great national questions have but
little attraction for the average farmer
at this season But when 1t is announced
tina. the candidate will both speak and
fiddle :hc farmers for miles around ride
10 town to the meeting. Thus the custom
which Governor Bob Taylor originated
IN Tennessee years ago has been adopted
by the Kentucky aspirant for political
honors, with greater success. so far as
Drawing the crowd goes, than 1t had in the
more southcrly state.
But tie adding candidates are receiving
strong opposition. Their opponents, re-
ccgrizrg that something must be done
to counterfeit the charms of the tuneful
fiddle. have thought up various schemes
to attract the crowds In one district Il
candidate who could not fiddle is accom-
Panied on his campaigns by his pretty
daughter, who Is not only a fine violinist'
but is also possessed of a fine soprano
voice. In another district the candidate
to show that he is still one of the great
coia.acn people," Is making his speeches
In his shirt sleeves and barefoot. In yet
enotiler n r. fined and cultured woman Is
making the &C for Congress on the Pro-
hi5ition ticket. and is making house-to-
house canvass In the widest mountain
district of the state.
IN the First district the opposing candi-
dates were George Greenup, of Paducah;
Ollie James, of Marion, and Colonel Sam
Grassland of Mayfield. Although Ollie
James is one of the most prominent Dem
oerats In the state, and Grassland has
strong personal following, Greenup SEEM
ed to have all the best Of the fight. If he
had secured the nomination, which is
equivalent to an election, he would have
owed his position to his pretty eighteen
year-old daughter, who was determined
that her father should be the next Con-
gresham from the First. Since the cam
pagn opened Miss Lottie accompanied
her father. Everywhere that he spoke
she opened the meeting by playing and
singing the songs that the country people
love. People have come from miles around
to hear her, and the music of her voice
and violin seem to be better vote-winners
than Ollie James oratory or Sam Cross
lands arguments. But the contest went
against Mr.. Greenup, who started the
musical fad, and he withdrew recently,
announcing, however, that he would be
candidate the next time.
In the Second district the Congressional
race has developed into nothing more nor
less than an old-fashioned fiddlers con-
test John F. Brashear and w. f. Tay-
Tor, the rival candidates, are both famous
fiddlers in that section. At their meeting
the speeches are cut short that more time
may be given to f1ddlng, and 1t is conced-
ed that the nomination is TO go to the
best fiddler. with all the Democratic vot-
ers of the district as the judges.
In the Tenth district which includes
come of the widest country of the state,
young woman, refined and cultured has
accepted the Prohibition nomination for
Congress- and is making a plucky fight.
She is Miss Mary Burkhardt, the only
daughter of a wealthy lumberman. She
herself, is wealthy, having more than
10000 in her own name. Although edu-
Gated in the city Miss Burkhardt Is a
resident of the section along Lone Wolf
creek where her father has large inter-
ests She is making houSe-to-house can
vass of the district, alone and on horse
back. She is travelling through the noun
tans now, spending the night at any rude
cabin which she may happen to come
upon at nightfall. The rough mountain
GERS are outspoken in their admiration of
the dauntless manner in which the young
woman encounters danger and hardship,
and, although the temperance cause is
not popular in the mountains, Miss Burk-
hardt will receive many a Democratic
and Republican vote as a tribute to her
bravery.
In the Eleventh district a unique race
is on There are three candidates for the
Republican Congressional nomination.
They are Congressman Vincent Boreing.
Colonel d. G.. Coulson and State Senator
Ed Parker. Parker is said to be the big
gest man in the mountains. He Is feet
inches in height and weighs close to $50
pounds 1t has always been his boast
that he is lone of the people," He is
making his canvass in his shirt sleeves.
Later on, when the weather gets warmer,
he will make house-to-house canvass
of the district in this same lack of at
tire. His posters and handbills bear
half-tone of him in this costume. beneath
which Is a copy of John Greenleaf Whit
tiers poem THE Barefoot Boy" This
plan has proved successful in getting
close to the people, and, unless Parker is
prematurely carried off by pneumonia, he
stands a good chance of winning his
fight.
An Extravaqant Wife.