Carroll County democrat. (Huntingdon, Tenn.) 188?-1971, 1918-06-07
Facts vs.. Politics

about the Banners preference for
Senator Shields, a preference
shared with the great majority of
its contemporaries of the Tennesr
see press it may not be smiss to
state dispassionatelg the reason
why it has expressed that prefer
ence. This may involve some rep
etition necessary to make a full
presentation of the case,
10 the FIRST place Senator Shields
is serving his first term and has so
we'll filed the place that he de-
serves to be returned. 1t is a we'll
established fact that those states
best served in the senate have kept
their representatives 10 that body
in Office until they acquire the pro-
/ fciency that comes of long service.
Few senators have reached the
highest distinction, or have given
their best practical service ia the
first term. There is conserVa-
tism about the senate that requires
time for a senator to acquire place
aud influence.
But Senator Shields has done
this. He stands remarkably high
in the senate and has become one
OF the democratic leaders there.
He is man of character, dignity
and poise. A man always to be
trusted and has commanded atten-
ton because of his legal acumen.
1t is no sort of exaggeration to
say that he is recognized as the
best lawyer in the senate. The
president paid him a high comph.
ment in choosing'him to argue the
unconstitutionality of the Cham
berlain war cabinet bill. He put
such a damper on that measure
that it never came to vote, And
in the discussion of the Overman
bill. the measure charging the
presidents powers in such execu-
tive action 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 OPP
position crumbled to bare ID
negative votes, including only one
democrat, when the decision come.
1t has been the expressed policy
of the president, quite strongly
emphasized BY Secretly McAdoo,
that there be little politics this
year, and as few contests as pos
sible. To this end the president
requested that Senator Nelson, of
Minnesota, republican, be re.
elected without opposition. The
Banner sees no reason for chang
ing the Tennessee delegation in
congress. No new senator nor
new representative, except where
the incumbent has announced 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 disturb
ing aerimony and perturbation
likely to arise than in a senatorial
race. There is no sort of doubt
that for genuinely patriotic rea-
sons Senator Shields should be re-
nominated and reelected without
opposition.
Senator Shields has followed this
patriotic suggestion of the presi-
dent and refrained from giving
active personal attention to his
campaign for reelection. He has
remained in Washington giving
close attention to senatorial duties,
and especially to measures pertain
ing to the conduct Of the war. In
his opposition to the mischeyious
Chamberlain war cabinet bill and
his support of the Overman bill it
has been clearly and conclusively
demonstrated that he has been
much relied upon by the president,
and is one of the administration
leaders in the senate.
Cnnoto. GL;olJ., foItor, coroto,,.