The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-08-26
ALABAMA POLITICS CAUSE OF COMMENT Eastern Papers Interested
 in Recent Events BANKHEAD PRAISED Washington Star Says if South Is in Saddle It Is Because South ;
 Knows How to Ride
By HUGH W. ROBERTS

Washington, August 25.-(Special)-Th Alabama delegation is again on the scene. With one exception, they returned vic torious. Representative Gray of the First district was defeated by John McDuffie. and after March 4, next year, will yield his seat.
 Senator Bankhead, who scored splen- did victory over Frank g. White of Bir- mingham, has not been congratulated by the loser, but is preparing statement of gratitude just the same. His son, Representative Bankhead, won out easily in the Tenth district over Horace Gibson, who styled himself a farmer. MT. Gib son is unofficially credited with having carried Pickens county by small ma jority.
 Representative Burnett won a hard and bitter fight in the Seventh over John A. Lusk. His majority was small. MT. Ausk assailed the record of Mir. Burnett on the ground that the member had opposed the declaration of war and conscription. In the Eighth. Representative Almon, who opposed the declaration of war, but vot- ed for conscription, was victorious by large majority over w. W. Callahan. In
 
 won easily over Fred M. Jackson and A. J. Dickinson. Other members were not opposed
 HUDDLESTON CASE NOTED
 In the east, comment on Alabama poli- tical affairs has been confined to the vic tory of Senator Bankhead, and the tri- umph of Mr. Huddleston. The latter has become as well known as LaFollette Vardaman or Hardwck, for against him, as against the other three, the President inveighed. That MT. Huddleston won easily despite the declaration of the Pres ident that he had opposed the admins tration fin every way and against the combined opposition of the Birmingham daily papers, has made his case famil- jar to everybody in the country. Regard ing Senator Bankhead, various oditor- lals have appeared in the eastern press. on his nomination the Washington Star bases the thought that Eff the south is Tn the saddle it is because the south knows how to ride. The paper com ments on the custom of the south to select good men and keep them in office.
 Its editorial follows:
 MT. Bonkhead gets another term in the senate. His nomination is equivalent to election He is a. veteran legislator He served in both branches of the Alabama legislature before entering Congress. His first appearance at Washington was as member of the f1ftieth House-a long time ago. He succeeded John T. Nor gan in the Senate, and has been mem. Der of that body ever since
 HUnlike many men who haxe dis tirguished themselves in politics in the south, MT. Bankhead is not an orator. But he is very effective speaker when the topic suits him. and his favorite topics have to do with practical affairs. The souths development as a manufac- turing and planting section has engaged much of his attention.
 This explains his long and strong hold on the people of his state. They have found in him vigilant and suc- cessful representative. He has studied their interests and applied his studies. He seldom appears in debate but is never absent from a committee meeting if the subject is important to his constituents.
 PRAISES THE CUSTOM
 Tt is credit to Alabama that she re- wards her public servants according to their demonstrated deserts. She kept Senator Morgan in commission for many years; and he died in harness. Senator Pugh likewise served many years contin- uously. Gen. Joe Wheeler, as a member or the House, enjoyed favor for long time. MT. Underwood as representative became veteran, and was then advanc- ed to the Senate, where he is likely to remain. But Alabama is not the only southern state pursuing this very intelligent poli- 1 cy. Long service has marked the careers of number of southern men who since the civil war have participated in politics on the national stage In both House and Senate they have had opportunity not only to distinguish themselves, but to reap the rewards of their distinction Their experience has counted heavily in their favor in the organizations of Con- gress, and in the influence which at- taches to high committee assignments They and their section have profited from their seniority.
 This leads to the charge occasionally 1 that the south is in the saddle in Con- gress. If she is it is because she knows how to ride.''