The Washington herald., 1913-12-25
With the Political Procession.
BY r. b. G.

Judge Warren Gard, who left the
bench to try his hand at legislation and
not get too far away from the actual
arena OF politics kept at work until the
final fall Of the gavel before leaving for
his home on the banks of the Miami, at
Hamilton. He is one of the nineteen
Democratic Congressman from Ohio who
wondered why there were SO many of
them, but the Gard district is a trifie
more inclined to Democratic majorities
than some of the others up State. So
he continues confident of more success
sive terms than other Democrats in re-
cent years. 1t is in Judge Cards favor.
too, that he has not been especially
exuberant in politics and has avoided
getting in wrong with strenuous citizens
Of his own party or OVERRIDING the ami
mostly act with even-tempered Republi-
cans. Hence his hope for calm Con-
gressional career with few contentious
at home requiring soothing letters bear
ing the Congressional frank. His dis
trict has been a fairly famous one in
other years and Gard gives promise of
letting other sections know 1t remains
on the map. The immediate predecessor
was Cox, now governor, and back of
Cox in the Democratic list was James
Z. Campbell, also a governor, and VAL
landigham, noted in war times. Then
there was Paul Sorg, tobacco million
aire who showed his good judgment by
taking Cox on as secretary.
Henry L. Money and Bob Nevin were
noted as Republican members, and
Rathbone, of Cuban fame, later tried to
connect when Sorg was first elected.
Robert c. Shenck. later minister to Eng
land, was the most eminent Republican
member Judge Gard appreciates that
his district, long noted for big members,
wants this record sustained and without
making any fuss or promise he is set
ting out to do it. The evident reaction
among Republicans promises Gard much
to think about besides achievements in
Washington, but he is young enough to
keep things moving.
P. S.-Homer Gard, brother of the
Congressman, editor of a Democratic
newspaper, and a powerful proposition
in politics, on his own account, has just
been appointed postmaster at Hamilton.
statesman.
Senator Chiffon goes TO the banks OF the
Kanawha with renewed cheer in his soul
for the Christmas vacation, thanks to the
appointment of Stewart Walker as United
States attorney for Northern West Vir-
ginia. The Walker appointment is abso-
lutely the achievement of Senator Chill
ton, and he now knows he has been ac-
tive enough in bringing it about. There
is political wisdom in the selection also,
as Wake" comes from a section of the
State remote from the. Chiffon district,
and a region, too, where Chiffon has long
yearned for something like a personal or
ganization. Walker is the best equipped
Democrat for the job that Chiffon could
select in the mountain range of counties
the First and Second Con-
gressional districts. Hence we may look
for some stiffening up of the Chiffon or
ganiZation throughout Northern West
Virginia, even to the apex of the Pan
handle and in counties hitherto consid-
cred wholly under the control OF Senator
Clarence Watson.
Even so, the Walker appointment is
possibly as satisfactory TO Watson as to
and Walker is too clever a poll
tician himself to overlook the long reach
and resources of Watson in West Vir-
ginia Democratic affairs. The nominal
ton and election of the Hon. Mansfield
Neely to Congress, accomplished abso-
lutely by the soft pus.l OF the button on
the Watson desk, indicated to Chiffon and
all other Democrats in the State the tight
grip that Watson retains on affairs in
West Virginia even if his big Office is at
IA Wall street. New York.
Junior Brown. the Industrious Con-
gresham from the Second district. can
not complain of the Walker appointment,
as it removes ore possible candidate for
the Congressional nomination next year.
Brown had a close call last year for cleo
ton, but he promises a return to the old
figures a year later. and has certainly
been busy enough in tightening up his