The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1914-08-04
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Texas Turns 10 Real issues

one OF the big democrats In Texas, ana
he had the support OF the president
Secretary Bryan, Postmaster General
Burleson, and all the democratic or
papizations in Texas in his campaign
for governor. But he was beaten at
the democratic primaries last Satur-
day by a man who had never been in
poIitics, who had never been candi-
date for anything, is only country
banker. and a few weeks ago was un-
known outside his own neighborhood.
1t looks like political turnover in
Texas, and it probably is, but only
partisan republican would go so far as
to see in the defeat of the administra-
ton candidate a vote against Presl-
dent Wilson and Il reputation OF his
policies by the democrats of Texas.
The democratic explanation is that the
friends of Ball continued to hold on
to a political fad after it had run its
course.
Senator Sheppard owes his seat in
the United States senate to prohibi-
ton, and he is the apostle and prophet
of that fad in the senate, as Capt. Hob
son is in the house. But Alabama led
the way and Texas followed In drop
ping the fad to take up legitimate
political issues, Alabama repudiated
Hobson to stand by Oscar Underwood,
the democratic leader who stands
suuarely on democratic doctrines in
appealing to democrats and who rep
resents what has been the democratic
economic policy for several genera
tions. Thomas II. Ball is not, like
Cant. HObsOn, man with only fad
for an issue. He is big In brain and
Drawn, is known all over the country
as one of the able and popular leaders
of Texas, but he was forced upon a
prohibition platform by those who had
witnessed the success OF Senator Shep-
pard, and who believed that the hys-
terra was still prevalent In the Lone
Star State. They were mistaken. Mr..
Balls brilliant record In congress- the
support of the administration, his repn-
tatiOn as great lawyer and success
full business man, and his personal
popularity were not enough to save
him from overwhelming defeat by an
unknown country banker, because he
was handicapped with the same hys-
terra which Underwood had cured in
Alabama.
| Mr.. Ferguson, the successful candi-
date, expressed the opinion that Texas
had had too much discussion of the
liuuor question, that too much talk
about liuuur was almost as bad as too
much liquor. that the agitation about
prohibition had side tracked all real
political issues and prevented the de-
mocratic party from settling mum
ber of grave questions In which the
people were seriously Interested and
which must be settled to insure the
prosperity and tranquility OF the state,
He would have none of It. He would
leave to individual citizens all ques-
tions of purity, morals and religion,
and TO the various communities the
regulation of the liquor traffic, but he
was opposed to dragging il into state
and national campaigns. because in
temperate agitation of the temper
ance question could not help settle the
land question which is a live issue in
Texas. or the question of taxation and
the intelligent administration of the
affairs of more than four millions of
busy people.
The democrats of Texas seem to
have agreed with Mr.. Ferguson and
decided to drop hysteria and get down
to business. Texas is now the fifth
state In the Union in population, rank
ing along with New York, Pennsyl.
vania. Ohio, and Illinois. It has passed
the callow state. immigration has
poured into Texas from the north and
west, and with millions of acres OF
rich land to make it the agricultural
empire of the world, with oil and gas
TO build up great industries, with great
cities and big commercial enterprises,
the people have something to think
about other than grand-stand agita-
ton TO make the whole world sober by
law. SO Thomas II. Ball, with the sup
port of the administration and all the
politicians of Texas. was defeated be
cause the plain people OF Texas de-
| cided 10 confne politics to political af
fairs and leave the liquor traffic TO
be regulated by local communities in
harmony with the majority will.
II IS sad reminder to Senator Shep-
pard that the glories he has won as
the infant prohihition nrodigv have