The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1916-11-28
POMERENE MAY
Be choice FOR
SENATE HEAD

WhO was dluOht1 IhO III
the recent election? Martin Of Vir-
ginia, Walsh of Montana, Lewis of
Illinois and Pomerene of Ohio are the
senators whose names are now most
frequently mentioned in connection
with the honor.
Sectlonalism is likely to be the de-
Gliding factor in the contest. Senator
Martin of Virginia probably can Sc
cure the solid support of the south,
but his candidacy will be handicapped
by the fact that the south already has
the house leadership. The splendid
showing made by Democrats Of the
far west in the recent election has
placed that section in a position to
demand a goodly share of the honors.
The first choice Of the western Demo
erats for the senate leadership is like
ly to be the Montana senator, who
added to his popularity and prestige
by his efficient management OF the
Chicago headquarters in the late cam
paign.
Among political observers in Wash
ington the opinion is gaining ground
that the rivalry between the south
and the far west is likely to result in
the choice of compromise candi-
date-elther Pomerene of Ohio or
Lewis of Illinois. The selection OF
either of these senators would be sat
isfactory to the administration. But
among the Democratic members of
the senate, who have the bestowal of
the honor in their hands, the silent
statesman from the Buckeye state
would probably have the edge in
dual contest with the eloquent ].
Ham Lewis of Illinois. The Illinois
senator is a man OF unquestionable
ability, but his forceful personality
has on more than one occasion stirred
up animoslties that would probably
lose him the votes Of more than one
OF his colleagues in a contest for the
leadership.
Senator Pomerene, on the other
hand, is believed to have no political
enemies within the ranks of his own
party, even though he may have few
close personal friends. He was the
first Ohio Democrat to enter the sen
ate in many years ana his political
prestige has been strengthened
the recent sweeping victory of the
Democrats in his state, when virtual
ly all of the neighboring common
wealths We're won by the Republ-
cans.
If Pomereue is chosen for the lead.
ershp the Democratic party in the
senate will have for its standard
bearer n man who does not use to-
bacOo in any form, who is a practical
abstalner from intoxicants and who
cannot be induced even IL stirred to
wrath. to indulge in profanity. Not
that the Ohio senator lacks forceful |
expression. When occasion demands |
1t, he clangs his jaws shut with firm
set teeth, makes up his mind as to his |
course Of action and then with 'by |
the eternap'-for Andrew Jackson's |
expression Is favorite with him-he |
proceeds to execute the thing in mind |
Pomerene has rushed into proml-
nence In public life with the speed OF |
Halley's comet. Less than decade |
ago, as one writer has remarked, "to
most people in his own state his was
n name that suggested only some
fragrant and luscious tropical fruit
II was the late Tom l.. Johnson of
Cleveland who discovered him. In
his home city of Canton, POmerene
presided over a Democratic mass
meeting at which Johnson spoke in
his campaign for the Ohio governor
ship Johnson discerned the abilities
Of the young attorney and was pleased
to find that Pomerene's progressive
views on public questions were In
tine with his own beliefs So he de-
cided 10 push him To the front The
result was that ,he Canton man wuI
elected to the lieutenant governor
shin aud from that position stepped
into the United States senate,
In habits, Senator Pomerene is oy
crstudious, yet not without a bulau
social nature. ne has no athletic
hobby He neither colts, not boat.