The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1918-11-07
Jacksonville Times-Union)

can u. Fletcher arrived IN JachsoA'
Vile last night. He plans to spend
several days here and then to go to
other points in the state. The SEN
ator appeared in fine health and de-
clared he was feeling splendidiy,
notwithstanding the exacting work
he has been doing.
Speaking of today's elections, Sen
ator Fletcher said it is very lmpor-
tant that the country stand by the
president in electing Democratic
senate and house. He felt beyond
doubt, he said, that this would be
done In the senate the Democrats
have 50 members and the Republi-
cans A. A majority is 40, therefore
the Republicans must gain 5 in order
to get control. In the house the
Democrats have 215 and the Repub-
licans 209. There are Progress
sives. 2 independents, / Socialist,
Prohibitionist and vacancies. A
majority is 21S. 1T would be unfor-
tunate--a national calamity at this
time" said the senator, for the Re-
publicans to win the chairmanships
of the committees of the senate, The
speaker and the chairmanships Of
the house, or either of these.
Stands Behind President
"The president was absolutely
right in calling the attention OF the
4 country to the tremendous issue in
yolved in this election" Mr.. Fletcher
said, "and it was necessary for him
to do so because, while months ago
Ihe suggested that politics be adj
iourned the Republicans proceeded
at once to take advantage of the adj
vice and allow the Democrats to be
i |lulled into inactivity while they went
l about the country gumshoeing their
i party followers to recent efforts to
capture congress and the boldest Of
them, whose leadership none of them
lhaye the courage to deny, was writ
ling and speaking, assailing the ad
ministration, condemning it for acts
of omission as we'll as commission
criticizing the president and endeav
oring to shake political confidence II
him and build up the idea that onl,
IlRepublicans are competent to cor
vlduct the affairs of the government
This loud voiced antagonist of every
thing done and of every move mad
~ in the conduct of the war, even Will
- pretending to speak for the Libert
as loan. could not refrain from indull
er ing in bitter, partisan, unwarrante
mo attacks on the president and the a.
up ministration. The president kne
ION what was going on and he felt 1t h
TN, duty to warn the country and to in
pt. press on the people the significant
me- of this election. Democrats needle
a. to be aroused; the patriotic, indepe
dent voters of the country needed
,rk. no told wbat wae wrong Tho p
are lpublicans have been active in part
ere an politics all along, The pres
ia dent has saved the day. The Peep
Dol, have seen the light and they W
'n' rebuke the self-seeking POLITICAL
'h' who want to come back to power 4
~ wonder they howled, roared when t
wv president exposed them
ms Would Divide Leadership
y" at is absolutely true that +
attic II. -, .,,-,so =,
'0e ership' and they know it. They wa
to divide 1t no matter If it is furth
true that support of the president
necessary for successful forei
policy. 1t is equally true that t
leaders of the minority have been ;
administration In committe
and on the floor they have critici7
and condemned to the extent that
times it looked as If another q
- way-Cabar was forming. At tim
- for fear of disgusting the public, til
voted for the very measures IL
!, denounced. Their leaders from
outset encouraged and supported t
-, opposition
"WouId Control President"
ut is equally true as the PR
A.. dent so we'll stated Republican lie
ers desire not so much to supp
.ho the president as to control hi
These vicious, unreasonable alta
.hono prove this has become fixed
termination. These Republicans I
COR resent the privileged interests, ii
leader vigorously opposes the lea
of nations to give security to
thet world against another such v
They really do not want a per
~ ne nent peace. They advocate now
versal compulsory military sery
and They would build up an enorm
military establishment to tax
, end people for maintenance under