Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1912-02-14
STATE DELEGATION
IN NEXT CONGRESS-
Hull and Byrns Likely TO Escape
Contest But War to the Knife
is in Store for Moon, Padgett
and Houston.

lhulNauohs Of strong COuleM lot
the seat in The United States senate,
which will become vacant at the be.
ginning Of The next congress, March 4,
1913, has turned no little attention to
the several contests which are being
waeed or are about 10 be waeed in
many Of The congressional districts Of
the state. In al least three districts
The signs point TO warm times in the
spring primaries, and there is a prob
ability that The delegation in the next
congress may have some new faces
The most interesting contest thus far
Is in the Third district. This district
has Chattanooga for a metropolis and
embraces the counties Of the Sequatchie
valley The counties Of the Highland
rim aud few Of The big Democratic
counties in the middle basin. Judge
John A. Moon, the present representa-
tive, is being warmly opposed by Joe
v. Williams, erstwhile prominent in
the independent ranks Of the party,
particularly in the judicial campaign
Of 1910.
Judge Moon has had an honorable
career in congress. Committee prefer.
ment has come to him. Now he is
chairman Of The committee on posioi
Iices and post roads. But he has one
great burden TO bear-he was one Of
the few Democratic congressman vino
stuck to Joe Cannon during the mem.
orable fight which resulted in a change
of the rules OF the house. Judge
Moon has made many an explanation
Of his vote, but bis opponent is dwell
ing upon it with great effect. No con
test in the state will be warmer than
the fight in The Third district.
Fights Tor Padgett and Houston
Lemuel P Padeett, of Columbia, is
in for a contest. He will be opposed
by Clarence W. Turner, young law.
yer of Waverly, who has served three
terms in the state senate and who is
favOrably known over the district. The
Seventh districtis regarded as ultra
regular. The voting statistics bear
this out 1t is understood that Sena-
tor Turner will depend largely upon
the regular Democratic strength. He
is also urging a rotation in office.
Mr.. Padeett has record behind him.
For years he has had no opposition
and none have challenged his right to
represent the Seventh district. He has
been nnlirine in his work as member
of the house committee on naval af-
fairs, and when the Democratic party
came into control Of the lower house
he was made chairman Of the committee.
Judge W. c. Houston, over in the
Fifth district, which includes the big
counties Of Rutherford, Bedford and
other Middle Tennessee bailiwicks Of
Democracy, is being opposed by Jesse
c. BeasleY, of Murirsesborc. Mr..
BeasleY's political experience has been
limited, but his friends say that he has
mastered much Of the MacchiavelliAn
art. He was the caucus nominee for
speaker of the last house Of representa-
tives.
Mr. Beasley, like Senator Turner in
the Seventh district, is an uncompro.
missing regular. Judge Houston entered
national politics before the party was
divided. Mr.. Beasley has never quail
fled himself as a stump speaker, but
recent statements from him indicate
that he will be able TO take care Of
himself Judge Houston is chairman
OF the committee on the census.
Fourth District Satisfied
The Democrats in the Fourth district
the upper Cumberland district, seem to
have gone back TO the days of Benton
McMillin. who served them in congress
for twenty years, and then he quit only
BY resienine. Cordell Hull, Of the com.
mittee on ways and means, has DO oppo.
sition nor is he expected to have any.
The Fourth district Democrats make
changes very seldom, and then they come
in whirlwind order. When McMillin quit
they had for their congressman Morgan
Fitzpatrick, NC. Butler and Henry SnOt
grass, all in the period Of about sb
years. They finally settled on Judge
Hull, who won his first nomination By