The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1916-05-19
BILBO HAVING "FUN"-VARDAMAN
DISTRESS SIGNALS

The Columbus Dispatch, whose editor is col
lector Of the port ct Mobile, by virtue Of Senator
Vardamans endorsement, expresses the belief
there is nothing in the rumor that Bilbo will run for
Senator in 1918 against Senator Vardaman." And
that the Governor is only having some fun out of
the anti Vardamanites; he is just encouraging them
along" May be so-we know nothing to the con-
trary. But it is apparent by the following deadly
serious remarks that, if so, what is 'fun" to Rilbo is
causing rs tory for b e63asa a en- adS y@sra aa an Senator Var.
daman we don't believe that he would jeopardize
his political future or the future of his friend by
such a step Governor Bilbo has come to the front
life. From obscurity a few years ago he is now the
Governor OF a great State and a good one. He
achieved his first political prominence as a Varda-
man supporter. He gained his first recognition over
was elected Lieutenant Governor by the Vardaman
vote and he received their undivided support in his
race for Governor but for which he would never
have been elected. Governor Bilbo knows all of
destroy the political faction which he has been in
strumental in developing for he knows that it means
ruin for both in the end"
We have here a show of consideration and
earnest desire for Bilbo's political future" that al
most rises to pathOs. If in spite of such appeals
and reminders of his debt to Vardaman. Biibo
should prove ultrue-but perish the thought.
"Blbo is not an Migrate" It the same time, it
must be admitted, there is a more moving foe in
mentions of this Bilbo "rumor," than is excited by
schemes" hatched for the discontinue of "Missis-
SlRQrS most courageous and brilliant Democrat" by
the "yelping secret caucusites."
But the faithful should get together. For in
stance, while the Columbus Dispatch warns Bilbo
that the fractional line must be held intact that its
elimination would mean ruin to both Bilbo and
Vardaman." the Yazoo Sentinel sounds a different
rally cry. It appeals ito the Yazoo Democrats to
set the seal Of their disapproval upon a scheme to
humiliate Vardaman, in the name Of party har-
mony; Of eliminating the bitterness of factionalism
that has done so much to retard the material growth
of Mississippi. . . y In the opinion of the SEN
tinel. it would be a calamity-aye, a crime-to re-
kindle the fires of ~factional hate and bitterness at
this time by raising this question against Senator
Vardaman for no other purpose on earth than to
crafty a grudQe of long standing by a certain eIe-
n1ent in Mississippi that is not willing to accept de-
feat with the spirit of the true sportsman"
Both OF the papers we quote agree that there
is trouble afoot-that4 between Bibo rumors and
the grudge Of q certain element without the spirit Of
the true sportsman" clouds are gathering over the
head Of their white chief. But they widely differ on
the sort Of lightning rod to protect him. One, the
Dbpatch, appeals in the name Of the faction by
which he rose; the other, possessing the wit to see
that = faction is q broken reed, calls out the name
Of harmony" The Herald views the outcome of
the troubles that are affecting our esteemed con-
temporaries with relative indifference; being entirely
willing. IN the light Of the passing events, to trust
Vardanan and Blbo to the hang Of the rope given
tbems-Vca3burg Herald.