Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1918-08-20
NO. 81
SOUTHERN DEMOCRATS cHAFE
Dubious About Letters Of the Presi.
dent a. to Local Politics.

Dubious About Letters Of the Presi.
dent a. to Local Politics.
New York World.
Birmingham, Ala, Aug. l4.-Addi-
tional returns from yesterdays Demo-
cratic primary have not reduced the
majority by which Representative
Huddleston OF the Ninth district ap-
parently has been nominated, in spite
Of President Wilson's recent letter de-
claring the congressman was in every
way an opponent of the admintstra-
ton.
Senator Bankhead appears to have
been renominated by a substantial
vote. but returns today from all over
the state still were so mcagrr that
many OF the races were in doubt.
Washington. Aug. l4-Many lead
ing Democrats are chatting over the
presidents letters concerning state
and local politics.
The Republicans naturally are bit
ter. because anything u Democratic
president does politically must lie
wrong, according to their notion, and
the Democrats are objecting because
a presidential suggestion brings out
all the votes that are opposed to In
reference from Washington. In the
south particularly states rights
never has ceased to be an issue.
Last spring, when the president
wrote a letter to Joseph Davies. the
candidate Tor the senate against Sen
ator Lcnroot. applying the "ach test
10 candidates for congress Democratic
leaders thought his action politically
unwise.
Al that time. the president said the
Mcl.cmore resolution. warning Amrri-
cans to stay Off of ships on which
they were entitled TO ride by the laws
Of nations; the embargo issue and
the armed neutrality measure. fur
nishcd the first opportunity To apply
the acid test In our country TO dis
close true loyalty and genuine Amer
icanism."
Other Letters to South.
Recently. he has written letters op-
posing Representative Slayden OF
Texas, Representative Huddlcston Of
Alabama, senator Vardaman OF Mis-
sissippi. and Senator Hardwick OF
Georgia.
There IL no love In the house for
Mr.. Huddlcston, and not much In the
senate for either Mr.. Vardaman or
Mr.. Hardwick.
There is q feeling in the house that
Mr. Huddleston Is a Socialist and
troublemaker, but II was said today
that the presidents letter, saying that
he was "in every way an opponent OF
the administration" had undoubtedly
caused resentment In Mr.. Huddlcston's
district and gained votes for him.
This Is the opinion of Alabama poll
ticians here.
A secret ballot in the senate would
reveal a heavy vote against Mr.. Var
daman or Mr.. Hardwick. but the let
ters Of the president, opposing them,
did not make a good impression on
their associates.
1t is feared by senate leaders that
the presidents action will not have
the desired effect. for It looks as II
Messrs. Vardaman and Hardwick
would win, In spite OF the attitude OF
the White House.
Fear Bad Impression.
Many southern congressman believe
that II Vardaman and Hardwick are
renominated, an erroneous impression
will be created in this country and
Germany. They fear that there will
be n disposition to claim that the
presidents war policy Is not popular
AS n matter Of fact, the presidents
war policy has little to do with IT, The
strong sentiment against outside in
reference with state matters may
influence voters to support the can
didates the president is opposing.
In private Democratic congressman
declare that the president should play
hands off in such matters at this
time.
II was predicted today that when
congress reconvenes. and Messrs.
Vardaman and Hardwick return, the
part played by the president will be
come n subject for debate In the SEN
ate.
With a few exceptions members Of
congress. Democrats and Republicans.
believe that 1t would have been better
for the president TO have left the Ala
baIna, Mississippi and Georgia con-
tests to the people Of those states.
The unanimity of this expression IL
equallcd only by the invariablcness OF
the added phrase. "But don't quote
me-"