The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-08-08
DEMOCRATS WIN AGAIN.
Apparently Those Kansas Congressman
Didn't Get Into Game at All.

Washington, Arg. S.-Democracy tri-
umphed again when Republican con-
gressTnen bit the dust-some of them
sW allowed quarts of ton the base
ball diamond in the struggle for the
championship of the house of repre-
sentdtives. Score, II to 9. Charges
may be preferred against the Demo-
cratic umpire, James f. Byrnes, of
South Carolina, who had a rabbits foot
in his pocket and, Republican ball play
ers charge, a loaded half dollar also
The game played for charity, really
was decided by the umpires. William
NJ. Wilson, Republican, of Illinois, did
all he could to stem the tide of party
defeat, but on all close decisions when
infuriated members Of both parties
crowded on the field and threatened
riot, the only solution was for By-nes
and Wilson to resort TO TIE toss of a
coin. Byrnes had the coin and did the
tossing. Byrnes won every time.
You're safe" he invariably ordered,
reversing the decision of the Repub-
lican umpire. Thus were the fates with
the Democrats, although they had no
such gilt edged ball players on their
team as the Hon. Nicholas Longworth,
of Ohio
Longworth, shortstop for the Repub-
lican team and its captain, played like
fiend in the field and pounded out
two twO-baggers and a home run. The
ball he knocked for a home run was
SAOiCn ny d canal DOaL QI1fSI VIII
found it in the canal below the heights
of Georgetown upon which the game
was played.
In the third inning-there were only
four innings because another would
have mean physical defeat for all CON
erned-Representative Webb, Demo-
crat, of South Carolina, had been neat
ly caught at first base, but in his des-
peration he had knocked down Repre-
sentative Slemp, who was guarding the
bag. Umpire Wilson called him out
Stay where you are" shouted I'm
pire Byrnes as he ran forward. ''swal
| low no such Republican dictation.
He thinks he's Joe Cannon"
Then there was a conflict of tongues
and some serious threats which started
the audience of WashingtOn's social
and congressional circles until 1t was
agreed to toss the coin on the PROPOSE
ton that the coin would be the umpire
The Democrats won.
Again when Representative Murray,
Democrat of Massachusetts, had gone
! to second base and was there being
touched out by Representative Ken
dali, Republican, of Iowa, Umpire Will
! son called him out. Byrnes again or
dered him not to stir from his position
| of party regularity and to sit on the
| bag. Another near riot, another coin
tossed, again the Democrats had won
and three more runs crossed the plate.
It was a lurid game while it lasted,
the gophery battery Miller ana Ander-
son of Minnesota, carrying off honors
for the losers, and Webb of North
Carolina. and Kinkead of New Jersey,
officiating for the Democrats. Others
who participated for the Republicans
we're: Lafferty, Oregon, center field;
Slemp, Virginia. first base; Porter,
Pennsylvania, who made three hits,
third base; Reyburn, Pennsylvania,
left field. and Farr, Pennsylvania,
right field.
Supporting the Democratic battery
were: Harrison, Mississippi; third
base: Reilly, Connecticut, who lasted
one inning, and McDermott. Illinois,
first base; Carter, Oklahoma, second
base; Driscoll, New York. left field;
GARRETT. Tennessee, center field, and
Scully. New Jersey, right field. Scully
knocked a home run, the ball landing
in Congressman Copleys automobile.