McNairy County independent. (Selmer, McNairy County, Tenn.) 1902-1969, 1918-06-21
FACTS IS POLITICS

the Banner's preference for Senator
Shields. preference shared with the
great majority of its contemporaries
OF the Tennessee press it may not be
auliss to state dispassionately the
reasons why it has expressed that
preference. This may involve some
repetition necessary to make a full
presentation of the case.
In the first place Senator Shields is
serving his first term and has so we'll
filed the place that he deserves to be
returned. 1t is a well-established fact
that those states best served in the
Senate have kept their representa-
tives in that body in office until they
acquired the proficiency that comes
Of long service. Few Senators have
reached the highest distinction, or
have given their best practical ser
vice in the first term. There is con-
servatism about the Senate that re-
quires time for Senator to acquire
place and influence.
But Senator Shields has done this.
He stands remarkably high in the SEN
ate and has become one Of the Dem
ocratic leaders there. He is a man
of character, dignity and poise. A
man always to be trusted and has
mmanded attention because of his
legal acHmen.
II is no sort of exaggeraton to say
that he is recognized as the best law
yer in the Senate. The President
paid him high compliment in choos-
ing him to argue the unconstitution-
atty of the Chamberlain War cabinet
bill. He put such a damper on that
measure that it never came to a vote.
And in the discussion of the 0verman
bill, the measure enlarging the Pres
ident's powers in such executive &C
ton as may be needed to facilitate
the prosecution Of the war, Senator
Shields was again selected to present
its legal phases, and what had seemed
a strong opposition crumpled to a
bare Ii negative vote, including only
ona Democrat, when the decision
came.
1t has been the expressed policy Of
the President, quite strongly empha-
sized by Secretary McAdoo, that there
be little politics this year, and as few
contests as possible. To this end the
President requested that Senator Mel
son of Minnesota, Republican, be re-
elected without opposition. The Ban
ner sees no reasons for changing the
Tennessee delegation in Congress. No
new Senator nor new Representative,
except where the incumbent has an
nounced his intention to retire, should
be elected in Tennessee this year.
Certainly none deserve reelection
more than Senator Shields, and in no
election contest is more disturbing
acrimony and perturbation likely to
arise than 10 a Senatorial race. There
is no sort Of doubt that for genuinely
patriotic reasons Senator Shields
SHOULD be renominated and reelected
without opposition.
Senator Shields has followed this
patriotic suggestion Of the President
and refrained from giving active per.
sonal attention to his campaign fol
reelection. He has remained il
Washington giving close attention tc
Senatorial duties, and especially tt
measures pertaining to the conduct Of
the war. In his opposition to the
mischievous Chamberlain war cabinet
bill and his support Of the 0vermar
bin it has been clearly and conclusive
ly demonstrated that he has been much
relied upon by the President, and il
one Of the administration leaders il
the Senate.
Senator Shields fellow-Senatorl
praise him strongly. Senator Over
man Of North Carolina has publicl!
declared that he chose Senator
Shield to present the legal argumen
10 favor Of the 0yerman bill. He dir
this, he sain, because Senator Shield
is the strongest member of the Ju
dietary Committee" Senator Over
man himself is Chairman of the com
mittee. And the North Carolina Sen
ator further said that-the Presiden
was greatly pleased with the worl
Senator Shields did in behalf of tn
bill.
Senator James Hamilton Lewis, tn
Democratic whip in the Senate, an,
an enthusiastic patriot. has taken &C