Kentucky Irish American. (Louisville, Ky.) 1898-1968, 1921-06-11
Party in Kentucky Suffers Severe
Blow in Death of Boss A. t.
Hert.
Democratic Committee Can Assure
Fall Success by Fair Deal
For All.
Reform Administration VIII Sure
Iy Call Times Editor on
Broad Charge.
MORROW PARDoNs BAD CROOK.

The death of Republican National
Committeeman A. T. Hert was the
chief topic of political conversation
this week and his reign as leader
of the Kentucky. Republicans was
reviewed many times, and also as
to what effect his death would have
on the Republican party in this
State. All agree that Hert was sole
and undisputed boss of Kentucky
Republicans; but all will not agree
with those who claim he displayed
marked ability as a political STRAIT
egist and manager. In political
maneuverings 1t was Hert's wealth
that asserted itself, not political
ability, and without that wealth
and corporation Doodle Hert would
never have risen from the ranks
BY no stretch of the imagination
can one compare his political record
to that of men like the late Col.
John H. Whallen or Gov William
Goebel. These men had loyal
personal following that stood by
them in political conventions, pri-
maries or elections, regardless of
the money involved, while Hert's
followers came from that class who
follow a campaign barrel just like
flies are attracted to a molasses
barrel. Hert never obtained polit-
ical notice or recognition until he
had amassed a fortune, while Gov.
Gobel and Col. Whalen were recog-
nized political powers from their
early youth and when they had no
financial backing.
There is no denying that the
grief of the local and State Repub-
iicans over Hert's death is sincere.
Mr.. Hert had few sincere friends in
the Republican organization, his
followers being composed mostly of
ex-Democrats holding Office under
the present administration, the, Re-
publicans who wanted a financial
angel and then all the little fish
Republicans, black and white, who
trailed hungrily after the money
doled out from the Hert Golfers. To
this class Hert's death comes as a
blow and with the king dead the
scramble is on for prestige among
some while others are looking for a
loophole to sneak into the Demo-
cratic party. The latter are con-
sidered wise and crafty, as they
know that lean and hungry days
are coming on the Republican
party, that there is a feeling against
the hard times Harding administra-
ton, the "Howdy Ed" failure at
Frankfort and the near Mayor
Smith fiasco in this city. Some
might have stood by the guns while
Hert was in back with plenty of
funds but now they realize that the
funds collected this year from the
police, firemen, city employees and
soft (?) drink stands will go to the
little bosses left in charge of the
organization, and the little bosses
can't see themselves spending a
whole lot of money in a losing fight.
Watch this tip: Judge Huston Quin,
Hert's selection for Mayor. will now
look for soft place to drop out OF
the hopeless contest.
AS indicated above, fortune is
smiling on the Democratic party
once more, nationally. Statewide
and locally. Republican candi-
dates all over the country have been
decisively beaten lately and the de-
feat of Mayor Thompson in Chi
cago this week was the latest. The
State is safe this fall and all
doubts of success can be removed
by the new City and. County Dem
ocratic Committee. Thus far 1t Is
the intention of the party leaders
to nominate in convention and to
date 1t appears that there will be
no contests for 95 per cent. of the
nominations. There are contests
thus far for the nomination for
Sheriff, Prosecuting Attorney of the
Police Court, Bailiff and possibly
Judge of the County Court, al
though l.. d. Greene seems the pop
ulat choice. Those few contests
must be handled by the Democratic
Committee and they must be han
died fairly-in manner that vii
leave no sore spots afterwards
The Sheriff's race four years age
split the Democratic party asundel
simply because some one insisted
selfishly on the nomination OF
Beckham man for Sheriff against
the wishes of the Democratic ma
jority, who in repudiating thai
choice heat the entire ticket and
the defeat of Beckham last veal
was but an echo of party misman
agement Of four years ago.
The Kentucky Irish American
bitterly fought that mistaken course
then and warns the committee tina
IL the differen contests can not b'
adjusted Gmicably they must not bs
settled In convention but left Il
the vote Of Democratic men and
women in fair primary. 1t Il
needless to point out here that
convention can not settle contes
fairly. DELEGATES to . convention
are not noDular choices but are thu
selections of a Headquarters secre
tarv who prepares list for thu
guidance of those attending con
vention and smoothes the way TO
the dictrict representatives. This /
satisfactory to every Democra
where there are no contests. bu
today we have competition Tor