The Pensacola journal., 1919-08-11
Administration Opponent
and First Republican in
History Elected in Eighth
District.
LONG RECESS STILL
DESIRED BY HOUSE
Petty Officials Not So Hard
to See in Washington; Big
Officials Always Easy;
Other Capitol News.
BY GEORGE n. MANNING

Washington, Aug. 10-Republican
| circles here have been much cheered
for the past week by the result of the
election in the Eighth congressional
district of Kentucky where republi-
can was elected to the house of rep
resentatives on August 2, for the first
time in history. Democratic circles are
OF course. on the other hand, much
depressed.
The republicans are loudly claiming
| that it is a true index of the tempe-
OF the people and a clear indication
of what will happen in the national
election tf 1920.
In this district, which has been DEM
ocratic ever since it was formed, the
voters have always elected members
of the house of representatives by
substantial democratic majorities. On
August 2, King Swcpe. a former soldier.
running on the republican ticket. was
elected over Judge Charles A Hardin.
democrat, by a majority of over 1,500
to succeed Congressman Harvey Helm,
democrat, who died two months ago
after serving five terms.
OF great significance is the fact that
Swope based his whole campaign on
opposition to the League of Nations
and dissatisfaction with the Wilson
violent speeches against the League |
OF Nations. contrary to the advice OFT
his friends who had believed the peo- |
pie were for the covenant.
The district is normally democratic !
and Judge Hardin. who had been DEM |
ocratic state chairman for several |
years, was expected to poll much more |
than the usual democratic majority. |
The disappointment of the democrats |
was therefore most pronounced.
1t cannot be claimed that the soldier |
vote had any material effect on the
election because Swope did not make |
an appeal for the soldier vote or ask /
election to congress as a. reward for
his services in the army.
The ssteam roller" can sometimes |
steamroll in the house of representa-
tives when all it's parts are intact as
it used to back in the old dark days |
of Cannonism. when the newspapers
were full of complaints of gag rule"
by Speaker Joe Cannon.
But the happenings of the past week
have shown Enthusiastically that the /
will of but one member is sufficient
to prevent the house from adjourning.
and that one member can force an
right the instant
The house after abandoning it's pro-
posed five weeks recess last Saturday,
desired to recess for two weeks IL
was proposed by house Leader Mondell,
with approval of the democrats, that
the house should for the next two
weeks meet only on Tuesday and Fri
day and Immediately recess withous
any business.
The plan which required unanimous
IL cd hv nc~YaS m
Igoe of Missouri. however. who OBJ
jected to it unless the house would
adopt his resolution to direct the fed
eral trade commission to make an in
of the high prices of shoes
Igoe objected to the recess again on
Tuesday when the house republican
leaders again refused to adopt his
resolution, which, he said, would take
only two minutes to pass
The house was unable to vote down
Igoe and was compelled to follow MS
wishes because so many members
having made arrangements to take
advantage of the five-weeks' recess left
town anyway that no quorum was
present, and put to a count, would nave
compelled the house to remain con-
in session until quorum was
by sending out to bring in
he absent members 4
CONGRESSMAN Thomas l.. Blanton or
rexas who is constitutionally opposed
20 all forms of labor organizations
md who fights them in the house at
.very opportunity. has twice within
he past week and single handed
orced the house to adjourn when II
threatened to take up the railroad sit {
ration. by making the motion that no
,uorur, was present.
House Leader Mondell quickly came
@ the rescue by moving to adjourn,
notion having preference over all oth-
srs, so as to prevent call for quo
.um. The call would have disclosed
is absence and caused summons TO
,e sent out to all absent members to
'eturn. /,
The house with full attendance can
work like a steamroller, bare ma
ority of one being sufficient TO gag
minority in most instances. But