Western Carolina Democrat and French Broad hustler. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1913-1915, 1915-12-16
CONGRESS MEETS AGAIN.

On Monday, December 6, the sixty
fourth conrgess of the United States
took its place upon the scene of tine
Nations activities and the session
will doubtless be memorable in very
many ways. Preliminary skirmishes
incident To permanent o~ganization
leads a casual observer to the concIu-
sion that all will not be harmonious
A tinge of factiona1ism appeared
upon the democratic horizon before
the session began. However, there is
usually some friendly rivalry between
aspiring members of the democrat
peTty, when coveted positions r to
be handed around, and the Democracy
may consider itself exceedingly for
tunate in being able to start the legis-
l&tiVe wheels in motion with only a
single contest.
All the talk Of trying to deprive
Representative Claude Kitchin of the
Craftsmanship of the Ways and Means
Committee, because he and President
Wilson agreed to disagree upon the
latter's preparedness program, amount
ed to nothing. The Tar Heel Con-
gresham bowed himself in very
gracefully and appears to be at peace
with all the world. In making up
the Houce Committees, Kitchin
had friends to favor, but no foes to
punish and this arduous task was &C
complished with little difficulty and
without friction. North Carolina rep
resentatiVes have carried off the lions
share of honors, DUE Of course, to
long, continuous service, there having
been only two changes in the State
delegation for the past several years.
Gee. E. Hood, of Goldsboro, succeeds
the late John M. Faison, in the third,
and James j. Britt, of Asheville, takes
the place of J.. NJ. Gudger in the
tenth district.
But things did not run so smoothly
in the Senate caucus of the Demo-
Gratis. When the matter Of selecting
O candidate for President pro tenn
pore was reached a sharp contest
had developed between the supporters
o. Senator Clarke, of Arkansas, and
Pomerene, of Ohio which grew out
of the controversy owe the ship pur-
chase bill during the last session
of congress. By seignior rights Sen
atOr Clarke should have been reflect
ed President pro tempore without OPP
position. But, because of his oppo-
sition to the ship purchase bill advo-
Gated by the. President twenty-three
of his colleagues refused to support
him and voted for Senator Pomerene,
who received just five votes less than
did Senator Clark. The election of
the Arkansas Senator was finally on
motion of Senator POmerene, made
unanimous by a Using vote and the
caucus ended HI. nv .0uSly. 1t was
a narrow escape out Scnal0r Clarke
is no stranger to Close calls in politi-
cal contests. 1t was only by a bare
majority that he managed to pull
through for reelection to tie Senate
from Arkansas last year. He is q
close personal friend of Senator Sim
mons and Overman and his latest VIC
tory is due, in a large measure 10
their support. Whether they erred in
standing by him will be seen in his
official conduct later on when Presi-
dent Wilson asks for adequate equip
nent for the country's safety and de-
fence.
The preparedness program of the
President looms large as the over
overshadowing issue of this congress.
II is not to be considered as a party
question, but democrats are expected
to support the views of their Presi-
dent, who has given the subject close
study and careful consideration. MI.
Wilson doubtless has facts in his pos
session that he IS not privileged to
disclose and no democratic Senator
or representative need have the slight
est hesitancy in supporting the Presi-
dents plans. But we shall see what
W. shall see when the lines are drawn
in battle array.