The Paducah evening sun., 1910-03-05
Personality and History Of
Man Who Stood Against
Louisville Ring.
Well Educated. Has Travelled.
is Banker and Lawyer.
MANY DEMOCRATS WANT HIM.

Frankfort, KY. March 5.-On the
extreme right of the president OF the
senate, and about three rows back,
sits little man, of mild counten-
ance and gentle speech, whose hair
is tinged with silver. When he rises
to speak everyone pays attention. II
Is not because he is an orator. In
diligence in rhetoric is not a trait
that marks his utterances. 1t is be-
cause he usually has something to
say that is worth hearing and plain
ly said.
This man is Claude M. Thomas,
of Bourbon county. one OF the Demo-
Gratis In the senate who have not
bowed their knees to the Baal of
the third house" at some time dur
ing the session, and who now looms
up as possible leader In the fight
against machine politics in Ken
lucky.
Throughout the session Senator
Thomas has been his own boss,
yielding only to the dictates of his
untrammeled conscience, voting with
SohoAoecnt touidbc W tAfi cco tho
convictions which he was sent to
Frankfort by his constituents to sup
port.
Record for Independence.
Senator Thomas was one of the
thirteen Democrats who voted
against the gag rule proposed by
Senators Linn and Combs at the be-
ginning of the session. Senator
Thomas is the man who called the
county unit bill out of committee.
and has on every occasion voted to
advance the measure to the orders
of the day. Senator Thomas was
one of the two Democrats who had
the bravery to oppose the Whallen
machine and the united forces of the
organized lobby Wednesday in cast
ing their votes against the Infamous
ripper bill.
The name or senator Thomas has
been mentioned In connection with
the Democratic nomination for gov
ernor. Two objections have been
raised by those otherwise friendly
to him. 1t has been said that he IL
too mild and gentle In manner. and
that he is not sufficiently wen
known throughout the state.
Now Forced Into Limelight.
Since Wednesdays incident in the
senate chamber these objections have
vanished. Senator Thomas may not
be a rampant and clustering politi-
clan, but no man will question his
courage, his vertebrate determine
tion, his inflexible loyalty to priR-
ciple and decency after his lone stand
against the outrageous conduct Of
his party organization. AS for the
assertion that he is not well known.
it will no longer be urged with truth
| fulness, for he has come at single
bound into a position of pre-emin-
ence among his fellows, and the
name of Claude Thomas will be her.
aided as that of hero in every cor
ner of Kentucky.
The words of Senator Thomas will
be a slogan in the coming fight for
the regeneration Of Kentucky poli-
tics, and it is almost inevitable that
they should force the man who ut
tered them into position Of leader
ship in his party.
81 am a Democrat" he declared.
"but / blush as a Democrat at the
proceedings that took place here this
morning. We have no more right to
! be sitting here now than we Will
/ have at midnight tonight"
When Senator Bowling, after de-
nouncing the bill, said that he had
to vote for 1t, Senator Thomas cried
!, with passion In his voice:
81 don't have to do 1t. praise God.
and i won't do IL, either"
There is a sentence that Is going
Ito set the state on fire with, zeal for
Righteousness and conscience In pol
., itics. The 10000 Democrats to
q whom Senator Thomas referred as
4 having the courage at times to vote
lagainst the straight party ticket WIN
q take I'D that declaration on inde-
e pendence and make It ring from cor
,. ner to corner of Kentucky. 1t will
y sound the death knell of the machine
IS that now has its grip upon the throat
q of the Democracy.
d Senator Claude NJ Thomas Is a
= citizen OF Paris. in Bourbon county.
where he enjoys the affection and re-
spect OF men OF both parties. This
IS evidenced by the fact that he
comes to Frankfort elected by ACCLAIM
. alton. no man being found who was
: willing to oppose him. Before be
: ing elected senator he served two