The Washington herald., 1913-12-25

organization since last years tight
squeeze.
The wonder is that some anti-South-
ern frenzy has not developed over the
choice of Pass Christian as a vacation
lodge by President Wilson. Only few
miles from his retreat is Beauvoir, the
home of Jefferson Davis during his de-
clining years and which is looked upon
, as a sort of shrine by admiring South
erners ever since his death. Following
his return from exile after the war, JEFF
ferson Davis had a business headquar-
ters in New Orleans but his actual home
was a few miles from Pass Christian on
the small stretch of coast line accorded
to Mississippi. He rejoiced in the soli-
tude of an old fashioned mansion look
ing upon the Gulf of Mexico and In a
library apart from the house. While he
lived his home was visited by Southern
admirers and Northerners who recalled
his service before the rebellion but 1t
was a rule of Davis never to ask a
visitor from whence he came. Davis was
perhaps a trihe stubborn in declaring
himself a citizen of no nation under the
sun and he never voted, but that was
OVERRIDING il and he never lost interest
in politics even If he expressed no prefer
ence or opinion. Possibly President VIII
son will hear a good deal Of Jefferson
Davis during the stay at Pass Christian
and may ponder some on the mistakes OF
a citizen who was soldier and statesman
long before heading the lost cause.
A half hours ride will bring the Presi-
dent TO the old Davis estate, which is
now a retreat for disabled veterans. and
Southern citizens will no doubt applaud
a visit by the chief executive to the
shrine of their leader. The President, as
a historian, recalls that Jefferson Davis
was in Congress before the Mexican war
and a hero in that conflict. Then he
came to the Senate, was Secretary OF
War under Pierce, and again Senator
serving until secession called him 10 the
South as president of the Confederacy-
He survived the war twenty-four years.
diving at New Orleans in December, 1889.
Evidently something is foreboding for
Kentucky when Senator Ollie James and
Secretary Tumulty talk 1t over at lunch
con with Tom Pence as a general ad-
yisory board but the Kentucky Demo-
cratic CONTINGENT in Congress rejoices to
behold the Hon. Ollie in such close con-
junction with the mighty, and so near
the desk, that generally has the last word
in deciding an appointment
It is more an more impressed on the real
politicians of the Democratic organization
that President Wilson, with great affairs
of state dominating his daily thought. has
no time for patronage, and full confidence
in the Tumulty wisdom and discretion.
Each day sees Tumulty getting in closer
touch with statesmen OF the Ollie James
standing, and learning every wrinkle OF
State politics with special reference to
appointments pending. and with some
as to who can best be left
in private life.
The Tur1ulty way of doing things is a
bit new in Washington, but promises
either a great success or succession of
woes once the disappointed ones unite in
blaming him for what did not happen TO
them in the way of Presidential commits
sions.
Tumulty has not yet shown any signs
Of worry. and. besides, is willing to be q
martyr il he can relieve his chief OF such
little worries as pertain to the picking
OF postmasters. revenue collectors, or
even higher Federal officials.
As Kentucky has but one Democratic
Senator he is busy enough putting in
shape the most compact organization any
Senators has ever had in that Common
wealth. and one that will make every
candidate for governo. next year hasten
to seek the James faTor.
Senator Bradley, a Republican. hopes
that James will overdo it, and arouse
animosity among Democrats sufficient to-
again send a Republican to the Senate,
and Bradley has no fear OF a Republican
adversary in the primary. Bradley has
not been in robust health but promises
ample activity when the real fight be-
gins a few months later. For State
1npLrnH a Democratic StrnnU-
hold, Kentucky has sent many Repub-
licans to the Senate in the last fifty years.
Defoe and Bradley in recent
times and Garrett Davis. during the civil
war.