Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1913-01-14
SHEPPARD Is THE MAN.

Morris Sheppard is eminentlv right.
lie is thhe one who should be elected bv
the Texas legislature to fill the brief I'M
expired term of Senator Bailey.
Colonel X. NJ. Johnston is IA big man.
lie is a brainy Il He is beloved by
the Texas press. His paper, the II0us-
ton Post, is one of the institutions Of
which Texas is justly proud. While we
have not been in accord always with
some of the Posts ideas upon some very
important political subjects, yet we have
admired and respected the men who have
made the Post.
Still, for all this, we cannot agree that
the president Of a paper which has been
ut variance with the ideals which have
, inspired Texas democracy, should. Just
at this particular iuncturc. be given Il
position in the councils of the nation to
which his state most aSsurcdly would not
elect him, if it were left to the popular
vote.
1t is easy to see why former Senator
Bailey should wish to give Colonel John
stOn the honor Of wearing the senatorial
toga for the brief remaining period Of
his term. 1t is easy to see why Cover
nor Colquitt should wish to appoint him.
The Posts valiant efforts in behalf of
these have entitled its owner to all
the consideration which they could be-
stow.
1t is not easy to see. however, why
former Senator Bailey and Governor
Colauitt should feel that it is their right
or privilege to use the exalted Office of
United States Senate from Texas with
which to pay their political obligations.
Not that the recipient is unworthy, but
that this office is and Of right ought to
be within the Gift. not of the governor
or of a retiring senator, but of the people
of the state. Mr. Sheppard is the over
whelming choice of Texas democracy as
the successor of Senator Bailey, whether
his term expired yesterday or ON March
4. No one will attempt to deny that, if
the appointment Of the man to fill the few
remaining weeks Of the term vacated by
former Senator Bailey's resignation were
left to the people of the state today,
they would elect Norris Sheppard. with
every bit as big majority as that which
has made him Mr. Bailev's successor
upon the expiration of his regular term
on March |.
There are other very urgent reasons
why Mr.. Sheppard should be chosen by
the legislature to serve these few weeks
of former Senator Bailey'S term. As Mr..
Sheppard himself has pointed out. nd
mission to the senate a few weeks in adj
vance Of the many newly elected senators
who will take their seats on March 1
would be of incStimable advantage to
him and to Texas. \ few weeks service
i'll the expiring senate would give the
Texas senator Il seniority over the other
new members to cOm" in on March !,
which would rebound greatly to the ben
eft of the state. 1t would give him q
ranking position OF some Of the most i'm
portant committees in the coming SEES
sion, enabling him to obtain far more
favorable legislation upon Texas pro
iects than if he should come in OH equal
terms with the great number of new men
who will, assume their seats 1T the open
inc of the new session. 1t is easy to see
what this will mean in the matter of Sc
curing appropriations, wore especially
so i'm those committees which virtually
determine anpropriationS for rivers and
barbors, navigation and irrigation pro
jects in some Of which Texas. especially
Southwest Texas. is vitality interested.
With the grand man who now is Tex
as senior senator, Charles \. CulbcrSon.
and a man of Morris S%heppard's ability
holding the commanding position which
these few weeks seniority in the senate
would give him over other new senators
TO represent the state, Texas power in
that body wiuld be greatly strengthen
ed.
1t was a graceful compliment to a
great newspaper man, when C0lolel
Johnston was appointed for the interim
between Senator Bailcy'S resignation and
the election of his successor, but, since