The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-30

not only by the rank and file, but by the leaders of the democratic column in the House, with unequivocal signs of delight
 Apparently there are two reasons stand democratic majority rejoices over the prospective triumph of the representative of the Fourth
 The first is based on the fact that the election of a stranger-or citizen who for the sake of expediency arrived late for a specific purpose-would be repugnant to the fundamental principles of democracy, principles which guarantee, in its every essential, home rule''
 The second reason for the general sat isfaction expressed by members of the House majority is traceable directly to the popularity of MT. Blackmon. For let it be known in the very outset that while there are other members of the House possessed of features more nearly conforming to the classical idea, or fig ures which more perfectly correspond to that owned and to such great advantage used by the beautiful Adonis, none of V general popularity than the man whom the Fourth district sent to Congress, and so wisely promises to retain in Con- gress
 While MT. Blackmon has been on the job-literally and figuratively-for a num- Der of years, he still ranks among the younger members" of the House. And yet the older members-members of much longer service and burdened with a con- siderably greater number of years-wel- come his approach with arms widespread, and greet his apt and tasteful sallies with unfeigned satisfaction.
 And he is perhaps the only member of the House who is never addressed as Mister" From Jim Mann, the stern and hirsute leader of the republican minority, to Sam Nichols of South Car olina, the youngest member of the House, everybody says Fred And it requires no man skilled in the great American pastime of politics, or inured by long service to the customs of Con- gress and members of Congress, to ap- preciate the advantage possessed Cover his more unfortunate fellows) by that one who, while present or absent is called "Jack' or "Jim'' or ''Fred"-or anything else save the Jelly formal Mister
 For it invariably happens that the member who is called by his first name is a man of warm blood, of congenial disposition, of a firm grasp of the hand and merry twinkle of the eye-and pos sessed of that friend making faculty which is, perhaps of all the human at tributes, the most serviceable, the most to be desired. How much more valuable is the effort how much more certain of success the enterprise of such man than that of the individual whose blood is cold. whose clasp is clammy, whose ex- pression is that of a fox, and whose every movement causes the wary to stop and consider lest something uncanny, un- toward. unsuspected, be put over!'' The answer is simple and certain, and in perfect conformity with the self-evident truth that we aid our friends in their purposes before responding to the impor- tunities of those who pretend to breath in an atmosphere in which King Arthur, alone of all his exquisite court, could exist.
 In view of the fact that MT. Blackmon has more friends. it is probable, than any other member of Congress, it is perhaps superfluous to state that he is not a political coward. On his first appearance he impressed the other representatives with the idea that he, like "Old Hickory. '' first became convinced that principle was right. and then proceeded irrespec- tive or consequences, to put that principle into effect. In the beginning of his ca reer Senator Underwood was leader of the democratic majority of the House, and exercised the function of placing members on the various committees. He advised MT. Blackmon to accept & posi- ton on the postoffce committee The leader very candidly stated that many other members, entitled through longer service, to seats on that committee. had