The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-08-13
ALABAMA SENATOR DIES.
REDUCING DEMOCRATIC MAJOF.
ITY, ENDANGERING TARIFF
BILL.
The New Law Providing for Direct
Election of Senators Is Not Specific
as to Method of Filling Vacancies,
and Right OF Governor to Appoint
Is Question.

Is Question.
Washington, Aug. S.-The death
early today of United States Senator
Joseph f. Johnston of Alabama, who
succumbed to pneumonia at his home
here, left vacancy in the senate that
is somewhat embarrassing to the
Democratic majority on the verge of
the completion Of the administration
tariff revision programme and makes
necessary an immediate interpreta-
ton of provisions of the 18th consti-
tutional amendment requiring direct
election of senator's.
Though Senator Johnston's death
reduces the working Democratic ma
Jority in thN senate to five, by reason
OF deflcctions from the ranks on ac-
count of the sugar schedule the ma
Jority on the tariff bill is reduced to
one and leaves the party in a dan
gerous position should any other
emergency arise. In view of this, the
Democrats of the senate insist that tho
vacancy must be filled as soon as pos
sible and to this end the governor Of
Alabama and the legislature of that
state will be called upon to act under
the terms Of the constitutional
amendment
Gov O'Ncal Of Alabama, realizing
the gravity Of the situation, directed
K. G. Brickell, attorney general of the
State, to ask Attorney General Nc
Reynolds for an opinion as to the
proper method to pursue in selecting
Senator JohnstoHs successor.
Attorney General McReynolds re-
piled, stating that Gov. ONeal would
be entirely within his rights in order
ing special election to fill the va
cancy.
1t was the unanimous conclusion
after an informal conference of SEN
ate Democrats that the Alabama leg
isiature must be called in special ses-
sion before Gov O'Neal can do any,
thing. The legislature then may au-
thorize him under the terms of the
18th amendment to appoint a sue
cessor ad interim and it may also pro-
vide the machinery for a special cleo
ton to choose a new senator to serve
for the term beginning March A. 1915,
1t was agreed by the administration
leaders that Senator Kern, the ma
1ority leader, and Senator Simmons.
chairman of the finance committee
would join in a telegram to Gov.
O'Neal following Senator Johnston's 6
funeral in Birmingham Sunday, urging
MIN to call a special session of the
Alabama legislature to act and to urge
upon the legislature a grant of au-
thority for immediate appointment of
a senator ad interim
/ Speculation as to Senator Johnston's
successor was rife about the capitoI
To-Day. The names of two men were
prominently mentioned as possible
ACKNOWLEDGMENT Oscar Tn
derwood. Democratic leader of the
house. and Representative Richmond
Person Hobson, who was a candidate
Tor the senate against Senator Bank
head at the last election and who was
expected to oppose Senator Johnston
next year.
Although Mr.. Underwood when he
was candidate for the presidential
nomination a year ago refused to
allow his name to be considered as a
possible candidate for the senate, il
is believed that now, when he has
practically put the finishing touches
upon the tariff bill which bears his
name. he will not be avcrse to enter
ing the race for the senate When the
election comes his work for the tariff
Dill Will have been completed Should
he enter the race it is expected that
he will be elected beyond all doubt.
1t is doubtful whether any other Dem
ocrat would oppose him. That Mr.. Tn
derwOOd would soon become a com
manding figure in the senate was pre-
dictcd today.