The Richmond climax. (Richmond, Ky.) 1897-1914, 1912-04-10
THE CHAMP
CLARK BOOM
Farce Comedy Enacted IN
Washington, Says Editor
Harry SOmmerS.

In the Elizabethtown News of Tues
day appeared the following editorial con-
corning the boom for Champ Clark,
Matched at a political conference in
There was farce-comedy enacted in
last week, funny enough to
be put on the stage and fee charged to
see it. Henry Prewitt, Chairman of the
Democratic State Central Committee,
who has fought the county unit bill for
many years; Charles NJ Lewis, repre-
sentative of the whisky interests before
the Ohio. Tennessee and other Legisla-
lures; Sam J. Shackelford, legislative
agent of the American Tobocco Com
pany and the Standard Oil Company at
Frankfort, and Mayor Head, of Louis
vile, former candidate for Governor,
met in the nations capital for the pur-
pose of deciding how the Kentucky dele
cation at Baltimore hsould vote for
President With the aid of several Con-
gresSmen. some of whom may not be re-
nominated, they called State COnven-
tion for some time in June, and instruct
ed the delegation to give it unanimous
vote for Champ Clark for President.
Then the whole absurd program was
telegraphed to the Courier-Journal and
spread on the first page, so that Ken
lucky Democrats can be prepared to get
into line and obey orders, with Henry
Watterson cracking the whip. Singular
to relate every man present at the
Washington conference was opposed to
the nomination of Gov. McCreary, and
fought him bitterly. None Of them had
anything to do with the organization,
which headed by Beckham, Mayo, Cam
den, Vansant, Haly and united country
press. carried the State by over 10000
majority. When the bullets were flying
thickest these lobbyists and allies of the
special interests, who are now trying 10
seize the party organization, were
'limping in the rear with Watterson,
or hiding under a suffers wagon. The
truth is that the old crowd, which was
thoroughly whipped out by Governor
McCreary and his friends in the prim-
airy, are trying to make an alliance with
the whisky interests in the hope of con-
trolling the next Legislature and repeal
ing the county unit law. They do not
care anything about Champ Clark. They
are Just as willing to fight under one
flag as another. The combination Of
Congressman, who have been fawned
upon by Clark as speaker, appeals tC
them as the best chance to again domi
nate the State organization. The Dem
ocrats of Kentucky will not be dictated
to by cabal OF selfish politicians, who
having lost their influence at home. focL
to Washington to exaggerate their i'm
portance and deceive the credulous. 81
far as shown Gov. Woodrow Wilson hai
large following in this State Oscal
Underwood, native son Of distinguish
ed Kentucky parentage. has many ad
mirers. Ollie James, himself, is regard
ed as presidential timber. How ridi
culous it is then. for lot of small-fr.
politicians TO pledge the State to ChamI
Clark or anybody else Kentucky viii
be a potent factor at Baltimore. Will
a big four composed of McCreary
James, Beckham and Mayo and distric
delegates of ability and character, 1t
advice will be sought and its Leadership
followed. The State administration
headed by Governor McCreary, has re
deemed the State and honOred Demo
cracy. They should not be cat asid
TO suit the whims or selfish interests 0
men who have done much in the pas
to destroy the party"