The Semi-weekly leader., 1910-10-26
4 POLITICAL TWINSHIP. (.
" ! Contributor to The Leader.l


Senator Leroy Percy, the chosen
one. according to the only and
original secret ballot and Gibbs
Resolution caucus, and Mr.. 6. r.
Alexander. the eliminated one,
eliminated by the same token. are
meandering about the State in the
roles Of candidates for the United
States Senate. in which they have
a sympathetic bond Of opposition
to Governor Vardaman. and in
which each is cherishing the hope
that, by some turn Of the political
wheel Of fortune, he may draw the
senatorial prize.
Senator John L. Hebron has
facetiousIy named these two candi-
dates the "Gold Dust Twins, Z
politically speaking. The term is
not without its humor, and also an
aptitude Of application.
Senator Percy is backed by the
caucus bunch Of politicians in his
present candidacy. Mr.. Alexander
is the political forlorn one, who
was eliminated by the secret caucus
- 2
within the caucus that threw him,
to use a figure Of speech, against
the ceiling Of the State Senate
Chamber ON that eventful afternoon
last winter when the common cause
combination named Mr.. Percy as
its single handed champion for the
showdown against Governor Varda-
man.
Senator Percy has the politica
basis of the little caucus bunch,
with its narrow, and contemptibIy
small majority, that gave him his
equivocal senatorial commission.
Mr.. Alexander is without that
basis, or any other. as for that mat
ter, of any political force or
significance.
Senator Percy's candidacy is ex-
plainabIe. Mr.. AIexander's candi-
dacy is enigmatical. To use Sena-
tor Depew's dubious characterize
tion of Senator James Gordon's
farewell address to the United
States senate after his brief sojourn
in Washington, Mr.. Alexander's
candidacy may be termed
unique"
Mr.. Alexander is not the favorite
of the caucus bunch. He is not in
any special sense the champion of
the caucus, and yet he cannot be
characterized as a critic of the
methods of the caucus ma nipula-
tors. To a casual observer it is
evident that Mr.. Alexander has not
worked out his own political latl-
tude and longitude.
In the political simplicity and
innocency of his candidacy he re-
CARDS the caucus tactics and
manipulations as following of the
Democratic precedents. according
to his public assurances on the sub
ject.
II the caucus nomination of SEN
ator Percy is in reality sanctioned
by the precedents and the procedure
IN the nomination of the ilIustrious
predecessors Of Senator Percy, the
reasonable presumption would be
that Senator Percy should not now
be hobbled by any common cause
candidates.
Mr.. Alexander does not treat
Senator Percy's senatorial title
clouded, or as in any manner even
equivocal, even in the light of all
the developments. II it is indeed
a clean and clear title, then Mr..
Alexander's present candidacy, in
view of his own caucus protesta-
tions of loyalty and allegiance to
the caucus choice of the common
cause candidates, is somewhat ir-
relevant, if not actually intrusive.
We will not display the indelica-
cy of more than a suggestion on
this subject. especially as it is of
no practical concern to the friends
of Governor Vardaman, as Mr..
Alexander will only divide the anti
Vardaman vote with Senator Percy.
It is therefore wholly immaterial
land inconsequential, 50 far as Gov
ernor Vardaman's candidacy is COM
cerned, whether one or all, of the
defeated caucus candidates enter
the lists as candidates before the
primary There are just 50 many
anti vardaman votes il the State.
land it is q matter Of Indifference to
the Vardaman supporters whether
these votes go to one Of the caucus
candidates. or to two or to all Of
them.
There are probably a few voters
in the State who are opposed to
Governor Vardaman, and who do