The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1915-03-30
Retired Senator From Louisiana Tells About the
Great Strides Made Under Democratic ADJ
ministration---A Great President, Sur
rounded By an Exceptionally Able Cabi-
net, Guides Destiny of Nation In These
World Critical Days
Especial to The News and Observer

x JIIOtIllOiL, VI q OCO11 l
spending this week in S~tatesville, the
guest of his sister, Mrs. z. b. Key, at
her home on Sharpe street. He came
20 Statesville direct from Washington
and will leave here probably today
for his home in Alexandria, La. Sen
ator Thornton is still suffering from
she effects OF an attack of grippe
which forced him to leave the Senate
Chamber February 18th and kept him
out Of the Senate until after the eXpi-
ration Of his term, March 4th. Senator
Thornton has served Louisiana in the
Senate since August, 1910, when he
was appointed Senator by the Gov
arnor OF Louisiana on account Of the
death of Senator McEnery. In De. ,
cember following his appointment a
special session Of the Louisiana Leg |
stature was called to remedy some
important legislation pertaining to
the city Of New Orleans, and under
the law. Senator Thorntons appoint
mel. lapsed when the Legislature
convened. But the Legislature imme-
iiately elected him Senator to fill out
the term, which ended March 4th,
1915. Senator Thornton was not a
candidate to succeed himself in the
election two years ago. and is retiring
from the Senate permanently. In
Louisiana, where he has long cen
prominent, Senator Thornton is
known rs Judge Thornton, the title
having been acquired by his service
Tor a term as judge of a Parish court.
lie did not care to continue On the
bench, though he VAS offered judge
ships Of more Importance than the
Parish ~judgeship, and his term
expired he resumed the practice Of
law and continued in his profession
until appointed Senator. But until
I've became Senator he was Judge to
the people of his State.
Senator Thornton has visited in
Statesville quite frequently and has
quite q number Of warm friends here.
lie is the kind Of mar who makes
friends wherever he goes-a Southern
gentleman of the highest type. He is
an entertaining converSatiOnalist and
It is exceedingly interesting to talk
with him about his work in the Sen
ate and the men at the head Of our
national government with whom he
mas cofne in personal contact. Your
correspondent enjoyed an afternoon
with the distinguished Louisianan and
IN response to questions secured
some of his Views oil men and meas
nres that will prove interesting tt
the News and Observers readers.
Believes In Strong Navy.
Asked about his affiliatiOn with tht
members Of the Cabinet, Senator
Thornton replied hat his relation il
Washington under the Democratic
administration have been most init
mate with Secretary Daniels. of tn
Navy; Secretary Redfield, Of the De
partment of Commerce, and Secretar.
McAdoo, Of the Treasury Department
Il have been a member of the Nava
Affairs Committee of the Senate,
continued Senator Thornton, "durin
the four and "a half years l was i
the Senate and ] did my best to al
vance he navy, believing it to D
our strongest bulwark of national de
tense and our best safeguard agains
Intervention Of foreign powers. Ther
is much more need for q large
than a large army, because we ar
surrounded by water n if we or
ever attacked by another nation W
will be attacked from the waite
There is an ocean between US an
any of the other powers and we nee
something to fight on the ocean. Dul
ing the Republican adminlstratlC
three years ago, it was on my motto
that the House bill providing for fol-
submarines was increased to eight
che Senate and agreed to later By tt
uouse committee. Under h Dem
cratic administrators 1 have been II
ranking member of the Naval Affai
Committee and last year had char;
II the naval bill on the floor Of Il
Senate on account of Senator Tillma
the chairman, not being able to after
10 that duty. [ couldn't be prese
at the committee meeting when e
hast naval bill was considered, on q
count of illness, but J. requested tn
the committee go just as far as
could toward increasing the streng
Of the navy. On the
ton of Secretary Daniels the Hou
committee asked for sixteen su
marines, but the House cut the nul
Der to five. When the bill each
the Senate committee we changed
back 10 sixteen and the House agre
60 il in conference. We have the b.
naval bill passed this year that l
yet been passed and last years |
was the best that had been passed