Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-03-11
HOT SENATORIAL CONTEST.
Vardaman and Williams to Lock
Horns in Mississippi.

JACKSON, Miss, March 11.-For several
years candidates for the United States
Senate have been selected in this state by
direct vote of the people. At least they
have gone before the people in primary
elections, and the result of the primary.
governs the legislature. The next legisla-
ture will be elected in the coming summer
and will assemble in jackson in January,
1908. That legislature will be called upon
to choose two United States senators-or
rather to indorse the two that are selected
by the same primaries which select the
members of the legislature. The primaries
will be held in August, and at which time
all state, county and district officers are
to be chosen. All contests being settled,
the elections in November really amount
to nothing. and only about one-third Of
those who vote in the August primary take
the trouble to visit the polls In November.
Senator A. j. McLaurin, one Of the incum-
bents, has no opposition. His term does
not expire till 1913, but in view Of the fact
year in regular session the legislature Of
1908 Is called upon to name his successor
He Will succeed himself.
Senator II. D. Money, the other incum-
bent, has announced that because Of his
continued Ill health and trouble with his
eyes he will not again offer himself for the
senatorship and that at the end Of his
present term. which expires in 1910 he will
candidates for the succession, and both of
them are related by ties Of blood or mar
riage to Senator Money-Governor Varda-
man being cousin and John Sharp VIII
liams related through his wife's family.
The prospect Is that the senatorial con-
test Is going to be one OF the most exciting
that Mississippi has had in many years
Both Vardaman and Williams are popular,
1t is possible that Vardaman has more ac-
tive personal friends than has Williams
Their strength was shown IN his race for
governor four years ago, his election hav-
ing been great surprise to the 'old-time DO
litical managers of the state. The secret
of Vardamans success then was that he
had PLATFORM an issue that the common
people could understand and appreciate and
the great majority OF the voters, especially
the younger element. were with him heart
and soul. and the chances are that they
will be again.
There is no doubt that vardaman rode
into the governors office on the back of the
negro-and he is still riding him at break
neck speed. The repeal of the fourteenth
and fifteenth amendments to the Constitu-
ton OF the United States is one of Varda-
mans hobbies. and the people OF the state
are with him on that proposition. Never
theless.- there are thousands who see no
hope of accomplishing anything on that
line. and who feel that man of Varda-
mans temperament would be a DANGEROUS
element I'm the Senate.
Mr.. Williams has already flooded the state
with letters and interviews setting forth his
platform and ideas on the issues of the day.
He has challenged Gov. vardaman to meet
him In joint debate. but so far the governor
has declined. Having failed to secure q
favorable answer to his proposition for q
joint canvass. Mr.. Williams announces that
he will follow the governor around wherever
he may go and insist on division of time
The governor stands with Mr.. Bryan on
his railroad ownership and supervision
views. while Mr.. Williams does not The
governor Is for Bryan first. last and all the
time. and would fix a platform to- suit him.
Mr.. Williams would build the platform and
invite Mr.. Bryan to step on IL.