The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1920-03-14
POLITICS TURN
FANCIES SOUTH
Florida Delegation i'm Washing
ton Begins to Think About
Repairing Home Fences.
JOHN HENRY COMING
Fletcher Prepares to Refute
Gov. Catt's Statements Con-
corning His Record.
JOHN HENRY" COMING
BY GEORGE n. MANNING.

D.
the Florida primaries less than three
months off, the members of the Flor
ida delegation in Congress are be-
ginning to take deep interest in poll
/ tics at home and are looking carefully
to their political fences. All the mem
bers of the delegation who are to have
opposition at the primary expect to
go to Florida at an early date to wage
campaign for reelection.
Senator Duncan L. Fletcher comes
up for reelection this fall and is on
posed by Governor Sidney J. Cats who.
it is understood, is already in the field
making speeches and attacking the
record of Senator Fletcher in Con-
gress. Just what criticism the gov
ernor offers iof the ;ecord of Fletcher
is not well known here The senior
Senator from Florida is rounding out
his second term and is recognized by
fellow members and all those who
know him here as one of the ablest
and most Woodworking members of
that body. He is on the most inn
portant committees in the Senate:
works hard on all of them; is nidus-
trious on and off the floor of the SEN
ate and indefatigibIe In the interest
of his state and people Owing to the
peace treaty situation and the indefi-
mite status OF other important Iegis-
lation in the senate, Mr.. Fletcher has
deferred his visit TO Florida, but it
is understood he will leave for the
state in a few days to look after his
political interests at home.
Congressman Herbert J. Drane of
the First Florida district is serving
his second term in the house. He is
opposed for the denomination by George
W. Wilder, the present speaker of the
Florida House of Representatives. Mr..
Drane defeated Congressman Spark
man for the nomination in 1915 after
the latter had served about twenty
years continuously here. In the four
years he has been here Mr.. Drane has
become recognized as one of the solid,
substantial members of the house He
was reelected to his second term with
out opposition, a compliment which
seems to be but seldom paid to Flor
ida congressman. Mr.. Wilder has been
campaigning for some time, it is un-
derstood here, but those familiar with
both candidates and their records do
not believe Mr.. Drane will have very
considerable trouble in being returned
to the Sixty ySeventh Congress.
Congressman Frank Clark of the
Second Florida district has no op-
position so far and will have none, it
is understood. Frank Clark is one OF
the best known men in Congress to-
day. where he is serving his eighth
term. and one OF the most influential
He was opposed two years ago by
State Senator Davis of Madison, and
after a vigorous campaign in which
several hot joint debates took place
Clark defeated his opponent by one of
the largest majorities given in Florida
in many yeraS.
Congressman ]. H. Smithwick, the
new member from the Third Florida
district, has announced opposition for
reelection in the person of the former
postmaster of Pensacola, Ben S. Han
cock 1t seems that the former post
master is under the impression that
Smithwick had something to do with
his removal as postmaster, and is run
ming for Congress to even up the
score. Well informed persons know,
of course. that under the present sys-
tenn of appointing postmasters the
Congressman can WELD no power in
removing or appointing postmasters.
II is also understood that Y. l.. Wat
son OF Quincy is feeling out the situa
ton and will possibly announce his
candidacy for congress at an early date,
If he has not already done so.
Just what Mr. Smithwick's opponents
expect to win on is not clear to those
here who know the facts and have
watched him in his eighteen months
service in the house. Mr.. Smithwick
took the oath Of office on the eonven-
ing of the extra session of congress on
May 10, 1919, and congress has been
in session ever since with the excep-
ton Of two weeks during last Novem-
Der. The congressman from the Third
district has been at his post of duty
every day during that whole time. Peo-
pie coming from his district have found
him right on the job all the time and
ready and anxious to serve them in
any direction they desired
1t is but fair to say that no man in
congress is giving more of his time and
energy to the duties of his office than
is Smjthwick, nor getting better results
from his efforts. His friendly dispo-
sition and strong personality soors