Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-02-08
KTTCt4IN, LEADER OF MAJORITY

WASHINGTON, February 7-Rcpre-
sentative Claude kitchin. of Scotland
Neck. \. G.. who succeeds Representa-
two Underwood in the next House. as
chairman OF tho Ways and Means
Committee and as Democratic floor
leader, is a born fighter and rcvcls in
debate. Like Underwood. he has spe-
cialiZcd on the tariff, and il WAS his
strikingly able speech In the final de-
bate on the Payne -Aldrich tariff bill
that brought him into the public eye
as one OF the most promising young
members OF the Iouse-for he il still
young, only forty-five years old. Kitch-
In represents the Second North Caro-
lima District and 1t Is interesting TO
note that this is the same district rep
resented years ago by Senator T.. NJ
Simmons, chairman OF the Senate Com
mittee on Finance. who pilotcd the tar
if bill through the Senate and shared
honors with Underwood.
Family OF Politicians.
That district is in the eastern sec
ticn. which produces the shrewdest
politicians in North Carolina. Claude
Kitchin comes of family OF poll
ticians. His father, William kitchin,
one Of the old Romans Of the Allen
G. Thurman type. represented the dis
trict in Congress a generation ago
Colonel Buck" kitchin, as he was ia
miliarly known, was power on the
hustings. famous rough and -tum-
BILE dcbater and a man OF sterling
qualities.
When his sons grew up they took to
the law and TO politics. William W.
kitchin, the older brother and his
fathers namesake. was the first to go
to Congress. representing the Fifth
District. Claude remained in the old
home county, Halifax, and eventually
e1 tn CO
two brothers in the House at tho
same time. representing districts In
different sections Of the State.
The younger brother began his scrv-
ice with the Fifty-eighth Congress.
eleven years ago. William retired six
years ago and became Governor. served
his term of four years and made the
race for the Senate against Simmons,
but was defeated. Claude has re-
manned steadily in Congress and has
developed with tho years.
Has n Taste for Tariff.
He was soon recognized rs young
man OF more than ordinary ability, n
gifted speaker and n hard worker
who did not hesitate to tackle the
most intricate problems. He has a
taste for the tariff and was one Of
Champ Clark's lieutcnants I'm the days
when the Democrats wcre in hone
less minority. And Kitchin was one
Of those who Numbered continually
against tho dictatorship OF Speaker
Cannon. and was entitled to rejoice at
his overthrow.
Mr.. Kitchin has strong likes and
dislikes and doesn't mind saying right
out In meeting" what he thinks. He
never believed in Mr.. Roosevelt. and
back in APRIL, 1904, attacked him In n
speech that went the rounds Of the
country.
Mr.. Kitchin's autobiography in the
Congressional Directory takes up only
seven lines in the book:
Claude Kitchin. Democrat, Of Scot
land Neck, was born In Halifax County
near Scotland Neck, March "a, 1869;
graduated from Wake Forest College
June. 1888, and was married to Miss
Kate Mills November 13 OF the same
year: was admitted to the bar Sep
TENDER, 1890, and has since been en-
gagged in the practice OF law at Scot
land Neck: never held office until
elected to tho Fifty-scvcnth Congrcss
elected to the Fifth-cighth, Fifty-ninth.
SiXticth, SiNty-hrst and Sixty second
Congresses. and reelected to tho Sixty
third Congress"
That's all; but it reveals that he