The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1917-06-18
SENT TO.
JAZZ. To BUILD
Cats PART Y.
such is the Light in Which
His Appointment is Seen
in Washington.
MOVE FORESEEN
FOR SOME TIME
Cats Plans to Run for the
Senate Against Fletcher
in 1919.
Washington Bureau.
Pensacola Journal.

Washington, D. c., June l7.-Mem-
bers Of the Florida delegation in con-
gress and other Florida political
sharps in Washington claim TO see in
the dismissal of Sheriff "Hamp"
Bowling of Duval county Jackson
ville), Florida, by Governor Cats
and the appointment of Henry Hayes
Lewis as his successor, unmistakable
evidence that the governor is making
every effort to fortify himself po-
litically for the race for the senate
in 1919 against Senator Duncan u.
Fletcher.
The dismissal of "Hamp" Bowling
which caused such a political rumpus
about Jacksonville had been expected
in Washington for the past three
weeks, so therefore did not cause a
/ great deal of surprise. Word, REACH
ed Washington some weeks ago that
Cats was going to dismiss Bowling
because of his dissatisfaction With
| the sheriff's carrying out of the liqtlOr
laws.
The rumor became particularly
strong and direct about three Aeeks
ago when James NJ. Cathcar5. lof
Tampa, Senator Fletcher's secretary
for the past six years, was appointed
collector of internal revenue for Flor
/ ida to succeed Henry Hayes Lewis,
At that time it was said Cats had
stated he would give Lewis another
| good paying position, even if he had
| to dismiss somebody to find a place
| for him.
He found the good paying place, all
I se1rr h. II,
a fee basis and is understood TO pay
between $4,000 and $4,000 a year.
Lewis had been appointed collector
through the influence of Senator
Bryan, and when his term expired
| Senator Fletcher naturally appointed
one of his friends to succeed him.
Lewis had also supported Cats.
Politicians in Washington believe
that Cats over-estimating Lewis
strength appointed him so that Lewis
/ could build up a political machine
about Jacksonville that will stand the
! governor in good stead two years
hence when he intends to tackle SEN
ator Fletcher.
If this is the governors purpose,
! however, people in Washington be-
lieve he will fail in its fulflment.
| Lewis, they say, is a resident of Ma
rianna, to begin with, and never
voted in Jacksonville in his life with
the possible exception of the city pri-
mary held in Jacksonville recently.
/ The Jacksonville people, it is said
here, will not take kindly to the new
. conner and he will make innumerable
enemies among the "wets."
T. &c oope5Iog-oI ,7rsEr
| probable that the next session of the
Florida legislature will override
Cats dismissal of Bowling, in which
! event Bowling will have to be paid
! by the state for all the time since
he was dismissed. If that is done the
state will be "Fouged" as Lewis and
Bowling will both receive salary.
Should Bowling he nominated for
sheriff of Duval county again mex,
summer, as a rebuke to Governor
Cats, it is considered here as alnos'
a certainty that the Florida legisla-
ture when it meets two years from
now will abide by the expressed
wishes of the people Of Jacksonville
and decline to approve Dowling's dis
missal. which will then force Lewis
to abdicate.
Florida politicians in Washington
are closely watching events in the
state as they firmly believe they
clearly indicate Cats will run for the
senate in 1919, against Senator
Fletcher.