Kentucky Irish American. (Louisville, Ky.) 1898-1968, 1913-01-18
Beckham's Strength Wanes as
His Weaknesses Are Being
Shown.
Friends of Brennan and Bing-
ham Busy With MayOralty
Petitions.
CHANCE TO PROVE POPULARITY

III dCCOTuduCb WITH Jue new IultS
of the Democratic State convention
as promulgated at Louisville last
May, this afternoon will witness the
first step in the reorganization of
local Democratic committees all over
the State. At 2 o'clock this after
noon the Precinct Chairman will
call the precinct conventions to-
gether and elect a Precinct Commit
teeman, the latter to meet in their
different Legislative districts next
Monday and elect a District Chair
man, these to meet the following
Wednesday and elect the Chairman
and official head of the city and
county committees. In this, the
Fifth district, there will be but slight
changes in the party organization,
which is the most successful OF its
kind in years, and it's detail work
from the Chairman down to precinct
workers is a veritable rock Of Gill
braltar, and the rank and file OF
Democracy are contented with the
present regime. In the First ward
our next Postmaster, Dick Schmitt,
will succeed George Heller as Chair
man, while Judge Cooke, John ].
Barry, Robert ]. Hagan, Joseph
Overberg, Theodore McCrory and
John L. Gruber will be chosen with
out any opposition. These District
Chairmen will again select Frank
McGrath as Chairman of the City and
County Committee, his ability as an
organizer and a harmonizer OF all
factions making him the logical man
for leader of the Democratic hosts.
AS a tribute to the present successful
committee every Democrat should at
tend his precinct convention this
afternoon and voice his sentiments
for the reelection of the above
gentlemen.
Now that Percy Haly has finished
his volley of press clippings to some
of the country papers containing
reasons why Beckham should De
given the nomination for United
States Senator, the reaction is begin
ming to set in and the more con-
servative Democrats are asking
would It be wise policy to risk seat
in the United States Senate by choos-
ing a man who in the last several
years has been responsible for more
1uarrels and splits in Democratic
circles than any other ten reasons.
His forcing of the liquor question
into Democratic politics, his con-
tinual warfare with Henry Waiter
son. his rupture with the Louisville
Democracy, and his last years fight
with "Billy" Klair and the Lexington
Democracy, have made him very un-
popular and his nomination would
again split the party asunder, whlch
end the Louisville Herald and Even
ing Post have been openly workin
for. their advice TO Democrats to
nominate Beckham being good anC
sufficient reason why he should be
defeated.
There is daily talk of other candi-
dates for Mayor announcing in the
Democratic primary, but in the
week petitions have been circulated
urging Harry Brennan to enter the
race. and It is rumored that Scott
Newman, Laban Phelps and Lyme
Herndon are his principal hackers.
The Evening Post is working half
heartedly only for Bingham's entry,
as Editor Knott is not now such q
pronounced Bingham advocate since
II 10 IunlOlOu Nhob W. -
and the Judge have patched up their
former differences. Ex-Fire Chief
Tyson and ex-Police Chief Haager
are also supposed to be urging Bing-
ham to make the race.
Harry G. Nehan, the present Po-
lice Court Clerk, is the only official
announcement in that race thus far,
while Charley Cronan bears the same
distinction in the Sheriff's race, al
though friends of Dan Russell say
that he is busy dealing in promised
deputyships with the view of run
ing. Sheriff Emler and Joseph Tim
mons are now the only entries In the
County Assessors race, but another
is expected to anpounfe this week.
All OF the races are free for all this
year and the many who believe that
the people are hankering for a
chance to vote for them can satisfy
their own mind in the primary which
gives all an even chance.