The Washington herald., 1913-03-08
OLD HONOR TORN
FROM GEORGIAN
Senator Bacon Defeated by
J. P. Clarke, for Senate
President Pro Tenn.
TREACHERY IS CHARGED
Complete Upset in Democratic Caucus
Due to Combination Of the
Younger Element.

Senator Augustus o. Bacon of
Georgia, who has been the Democratic
President pro tenn of the Senate, al
ternatinE with Senator Gallinger, the
Republican President pro tenn, and
who was nominated for that office by
the unanimous vote Of his party in the
Senate, was yesterday defeated in the
Democratic caucus for denomination
by Senator James P. Clarke of Arkan-
sas by a vote Of nearly two to one-21
10 Il. The result was an absolute sur
prise to the Senator from Georgia. He
had made no effort to secure pledges
of votes for his reelection. He was
not aware, nor were his friends aware,
of any movement on the Democratic
side to deprive him of the honor. The
first information Senator Bacon had
that he was to be opposed for the
office was in the caucus, when Senator
O'Gorman of New York placed Senator
Clarke in nomination for the ofhce.
Senator Hoke Smith Of Georgia nomi-
mated Mr.. Bacon.
Senator Bacon'S defeat was a dis-
tinct shock, not only to his Demo
cratic friends, but to the Senate as
body. Some of the Republican leaders
were So disappointed that they DIS
cussed informally a plan of pronerinS
the Republican support to the Demo-
Gratis who voted for Mr.. Bacon In the
caucus, to the end that he might be
elected by a combination of Republ-
cans and Democrats. But this plan
was promptly repeIed by Senator Ba-
cons friends, who admitted that they
were obligated by the result OF the
caucus 10 support Mr.. Clarke.
The results, however. are likely TO
he felt in the Democratic organization
of the Senate for many months to
come. Indignation was rife. and SEN
ators freely spoke their minds. Some
of Senator Bacon's friends and sup
porters charged "treachery. The
Senator himself was plainly humiliatcd
by what had happened. because he had
every reason to believe, his friends
say that he would be renominated
unanimously when he went into the
caucus.
The selection OF Senator Clarke was
brought about at the morning session
al the caucus. An afternoon session was
held. beginning at o'clock. in an ef-
fort to elect the other officers Of tn.
Senate. except the chaplain. who was
chosen at the morning session The morn
ing session retired the Rev. DR.. Ulysses
q 3. Pierce, pastor of ex-President
Tafts church. Al souls. Unitarian, and
chose DIR. Forest ]. Prettyman, presiding
cider of the Methodist Episcopal Churcn
South.
Wanted Too Much.
The rebuke administered to Senator
Bacon and his friend was rendered all
the more poignant by the fact that the
successful campaign which had been
secretly waged against him was made
mainly on the issue that Senator Bacon
lad insisted on his right to be chairman
.of the Foreign Relations Committee by
seniority. and it was argued that he
should not claim two such important
positions at the hands of the Senate or
ganization
This argument was particularly ef-
feCtive with the new crop of Senators,
who are seeking important places on
committees. and who have been chafing
under the rule of seniority, which, ad-
hered to in the past, has given important
Chairmanships and important places on
committees to the Senators Oldest in
service But in spite OF this argument
the followers of Senator Clarke, just
before the vote was taken. voted down
a resolution which proposed to exclude
the president pro tempore from the chair
manship of any important committee.
When this resolution was defeated Sem
ator Bacons friends felt that he was
secure, for apparently the issues raised
against him had been rejected by the
caucus.
a greater surprise than the defeat Of
Senator Bacon. Senator Clarke is Classed
as an uItra-conservative. He cast the
deciding vote which enabled the Repub-
licans to adopt the Bristow amendment
10 the resolution submitting a constitu-
tional amendment for direct elections of
United States Senators. He was the only
Democrat to vote that way, and it was
charged at the time that his vote would
result in the failure of the Southern
states to ratify the popular elections
amendment
Deal Is Charged.
The friends of Senator Bacon attribute
the turnover in the caucus to a deal
between some of the Progressives and
Senators Clarke and Simmons of North
rarolina. They charge that these Pro-