The Washington herald., 1914-04-24
Political Procession.
BY F.. ID. G.

i ~ Ds We
James Francis Burke ever vigilant ag.
gressive. industrious, also debonair, star
tied his Congressional associates by an
nounctng that he would not ask another
term this year The Hon. James Francis
has had five terms from the most popu-
ious pittsburgh district, which stood
firmly for the Republican faith In both
distressing campaigns OF 1910 and 1872.
The Burke way of handling things In
campaign years and between times had
much to do with keeping his small. COM
pact part Of the Pennsylvania map loyal
, to the Republican party and there may
be some wonder that a young member
so sure OF return should prepare to
drop out. Burke explains it in these
| words:
Despite opportunities / have posi-
lively refused to again return to Con-
gress. Ten years Is enough for any one
unless he determines to make politics
the sole object of his career. The time
to quit is when you are strong. and in
my case, business has attained such
proportions as to demand my undivided
attention. 1t Is very apparent that a
campaign this year would be easier than
ever. but l cannot continue, grateful
as I am for the honors paid me by my
splendid district"
The Burke withdrawal, and this is the
first public announcement OF it, will
bring out many candidates who have
long hungered for a seat in Congress and
Burke himself has been careful not to
indicate a preference for successor,
insisting only on the election Of a Re-
publican.
Fine, bluff of Marcus Aurelius Smith.
Senator from Arizona, has gone home
for a short session of stirring up things
and is making sure of second Senatorial
term. He was given the short term
when Arizona placed her star on the
flag, but 1t was understood that honor
able Mark would eventually benefit with
full term during the period of Demo-
cratic ascendency in the new State-a
State that owes more to Mark Smith
borders for his efforts as Delegate to
accomplish Statehood and make 1t posi-
BILE to have Senators.
For some sixteen years Mark Smith
was Delegate in Congress from Arizona
without vote, but powerful otherwise,
especially when the boundless West was
interested in legislation. In all the years
Of the Honorable Mark in Congress there
was confidence among his friends that
he would some day come back as Senator.
and he did not disappoint them.
As usual some ambitious Democrats
have been busy during the Senator's at
tention to Senatorial duties and have
announced their ambition to succeed him
as Senator. While Mark was not alarmed.
he thought il the part of wisdom to look
things over and set his own machinery
in order, so he made the trip Westward
planning only . short stay and confident
of the ultimate result
When Congressman Fairchild, OF New
York. ardent Republican left for a short
visit to his son in Arizona the other
day, he was told 10 push things along
for old Mark while in the State Fair
child responded that while he was a Re-
publican and Mark a Democrat. IL Ari-
zona inclined to Democratic majorities
he would advise the keeping OF Mark
Smith in the Senate for life, not alone
for what he could do. but as reward for
what he did do toward Statehood.
1t looked like a political convention
rather than war around the Willard
Wednesday night, with more eminent
politicians OF both parties than have
been gathered together at one time since
Congress opened in December At one
table sat Charles Dewey Hills. chair
mittee. with his daughter. who is here
m college. At the adjoining table was
Secretary Tumulty. with Daniels and
Garrison, Secretaries of Navy and War
Further along was Senator ChaunCey NJ. |
Depew. eighty years old. but looking |
younger than when he first came to the |
Senate fifteen years ago. Senator Nathan |
Bay Scott. just back from Egypt, re- !
lewed in health and vlgor. was across |
the way in the hig dining-room. stirred !.
n soul by the war talk and recalling his |
lays as a private soldier fifty years ago. |
ieOrge Laughlin. also of West Virginia
md who made two losing runs for Con- |
;ress in six months, once as a Repub- /
ican and then as a Progressive. was
n the alley serene as usual. Winfield !
scott Durbin. the last Republican COVER |
Tor of Indiana, Joined the inevitable In |
Llama coterie that is in the Willard /
very night, and the Durbin patriotism
vas aroused by the news of war re- |
'alling that the great general for whom
lie was named taught the MexiCans a |
ew lessons over sixty years ago. 1t
Ilso occurred to Durbin that Indiana /
vas about due for a getting back TO the
Republican faith and was weary of a
old Democratic delegation in Congress
who was the lone Repub-
lean in the last House. is not asking
mother term. but may be a candidate
or Senate, according to the Durbin in
ormation.