The Washington herald., 1917-01-04
Interesting Chats
From Hotel Lobbies

According to former Gov W. r.
Thorne, of Kentucky, who has returned
from holiday visit to his native State,
and who Is stopping at the New Ebbitt.
MS Fellow statemen appreciate the re-
cent Democratic victory and will flock
TO Washington during inaugural week to
witness President Wilson take the oath
for another term.
The Nose Green Club. a famous Louis
vile Democratic organization. headed by
the Kentucky colonels, now is hard at
work preparing for their appearance here
on March 4. In fiill regalia, Mr. Thorne
SAID. They expect to- make inaugural
visitors remember this particular one by
dint OF their own efforts.
Gov. Thorne expressed himself In favor
of the State exhibit that has been sug-
gested as an aftermath of the govern
ment show to be held her before. dur
ing, and after the week of inaugural
festivities. He said that such an ex-
position was just the thing needed to
bring the people OF the United states into
closer relation with each other.
A resident of one State will have his
eyes opened as to the advantages Of
fered by the other States OF the Union.
he said.
"As far as / can see It," declared the
former executive of Kentucky" the ex-
position would prove of vast educa-
tional benefit to the country at large and
as such should be planned and estab-
lished."
Col ]. ]. Randolph, who is well known
In Florida political circles, arrived in
Washington yesterday afternoon for a
stop-over Of few hours. He is stop
ping at the Raleigh. Col Randolph has
been In the political arena for the past
twenty-five years.
I'VE all admit surprise at some OF the
national political upheavals developed in
the last Republican Democratic bout. he
said, but 1t took my own State TO fur
nish more genuine surprise and thrills
than usually occur within the borders
OF one State.
whenever l visit a strong Republican
section of the country and become en-
tangled in political harrangues I hear of
that old bugaboo to Republicans. the
solid South / only wish that some of
the men who have hurled this oft-repeat-
ed phrase at myself and other Southern
ers could have witnessed the dissolution
OF the so-called solidarity of. Southern
Democracy as 1t happened during our last
political fight in Florida
There were Ave candidates for guber-
material honors. The contestants were,
of course, lined up at the starting point
lHt Ol ds al
candidates for State offices are. The rs ce
was hard and gruelling.
THE result of the primary apparently
gave w. V. Knott the advantage of a
bare few votes His nearest opponent.
Sidney j. Cats, contested the election,
claiming that fraud was being resorted
to. The case went to the Supreme Courts
of the State and Knott was awarded the
candidacy. Then came the upheaval. The
Democracy of Florida was split to the
bone. Never before had Florida's political
history recorded a rebellion within the
camps of Democracy.
''On November the Democratic flag
was lowered to a new party in Florida.
Cats losing his fight in the courts for
the candidacy placed himself before his
supporters as a candidate of the Inde-
pendent party and he won by a 10000
majority.
His victory was a bomb in the camp
OF Democracy"