Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-05-16
House Roars as
Howard Throws
GqfIntoG.
BY RALPH SMITH.


leaders in congress and Republican pol
iticians generally awaited with eager in
terest the result of the special congress
sional election to be held in West Vir-
ginia. 1t was their confident ex-
pectation that the result would
prove so gratifying to their partisan
view that the triumph" could be turned
to good political account as rejecting
the sentiment of the country and pre-
saying a Democratic defeat in Novem-
Der.
And the Republicans did win the cleo
tion in West Virginia, but if one relied
upon Republican congressional leaders
and party managers for the information
one would very likely remain in a state
of blissful ignorance.
Far from measuring up to their ex-
pectation that the result would be
Republican victory so large and en-
phatic that it might be pointed to as
political barometer" rejecting what is
likely to happen next fall, the West
Virginia election developed evidences Of
and unmistakable Democrat
ic strength.
BIG REPUBLICAN LOSS.
In a district that is normally Repub-
Iican by from $500 to 1000. the Re-
publicans. in this special election. won
by a scant majority, Notwithstanding
that they had as their candidate George
NJ. Bowers, the strongest man in that
end of the state. and a man whose per-
-
a large following without regard to po-
litical aIignments. Mr.. Bowers was
former commissioner of fisheries. He
mad the support of the old line Republi-
cans in the state, and Colonel Roosevelt,
too. interested hlfnself In his candidacy
to the extent of writing letters and
sending kilograms to Progressives in
West Virginia endorsing Bowers.
So that the scant 400 majority by
which he won is not being pointed to
with pride by the Republicans; rather,
the result is being viewed with alarm.
AS a matter of fact, in view of all cir
cumstances and conditions, the West
Virginia result is significant, and I'M
questionably reflects that the Democrat
&c party is stronger now than it was
when President Wilson was swept into
office
And the Democrats of congress ana
in the campaign headquarters accept the
West Virginia result for its face value.
They feel encouraged. and are giving
expression to their feelings in the de-
bates in the two houses of congress.
HOWARD CHIDES REPUBLICANS.
William Schley Howard, the Atlanta
Congressman, whose originality of ex-
preston always challenges the atten-
ton Of his colleagues, arose in his place
and observed that he would like to make
"a few remarks for the sake of those
gentlemen on the other side of the
house (Republicans) who seem to be
suffering from political cramp collie.
They talk about what they are go
ing TO do in November" he said. why.
they are going to be the sickest set of
Republicans i'm November you ever saw
in your life.
THE gentleman from Michigan refer
red to the one term plank. That is
the main thing that seems to interest
all of you. You are as scared of Pres
ideEt Wilson as you are of a cinnamon
bear. You stay awake at night to keep
from having a Wilson nightmare"
Mr.. Howard all this time was point
ing his finger at Republican Leader
Mann. and the house was in commissions
'of laughter. He continued:
Here you are 80 days from the great
convention of your party, running
around like cat shot with a paper of
No. s tacks, trying to find some one to
take a nomination that they know will
not be worth anything after rney ger
lit.
zone day it IS Root: the next day it
lis Roosevelt. or Weeks, or Burton, or
Fairbanks, or Cummins, or La Toilette,
'or Hughes. Then your Republican pa
pers let out a wall for a man TO beat
Wilson.
mo one seems to have an interest IN
the coming convention except the south
ern negro delegates. Do you know why
they are interested? They want to be ar
the auction. 1t is really amusing TO
see the bravery and front that you are
putting DIMINISHING while you go
through the graveyard. You may keep
on whistling. but everybody knows you
are scared