Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1922-09-14
Senator Gerry and Former
Governor BeCkman to Get
Nomination of Respective
Parties for Senate Seat
BY LOUIS SEIBOLD
Copyright, 1922, by N. Y. Herald
Sun and Atlanta Journal0

land" are conducted along most
orderly and regular lines. There
are none of the new tangled kinks
which characterize the process of
popular expression in most Of the
other states.
Candidates for office are selected
by the convention method or rather
ratified that way.
The fact is that half dozen
men on each side pick them out in
advance with little bother and less
noise. Before the conventions are
held interest in the greatest of
American sports is confined to pro-
fessionals who play the game the
year round. After the conventions
the bulk of the vote goes to the
candidates who provide the best
shower spend the most money.
Until the Democratic state conven
ton meets on October 30-after all
the other states have functioned in
accordance with various sorts of
election laws-the pocket brough of
Rhode Island, which could be dump
ed into Texas 244 times without
looping into the Rio Grande, will
refuse to get excited over politics.
The Republican state convention
will come along eight days later
and then there will be a lot of
fireworks and noise for about three
weeks. There really isn't any Sc
cret about the identity of the two
men who will compete for the hon
or of occupying the seat in the
United States senate now held by
Peter G. Gerry. The Democrats will
renominate Mr.. Gerry end the Re-
publicans will name former Cover
nor Beekman. Neither will be op-
posed for the nomination which
their respective parties will con-
fer. That was arranged months ago.
The 100000 men and women vot-
ers Of the state were not consulted
in the matter. Custom and habit
reconcile them to the decision Of
the leaders that Mr.. Gerry and Mr.
Beekman were to be named. This
method of approaching problem
over which the people of other
states work themselves into a fren
zy suits the ancient plantation of
Rhode Island, and that's all there
is to it.
State Republican
The state is healthily Republican
as a whole. There are spots to
mark the difference. Four Of the
six big towns, starting with Prov
idence, are in the hands of Demo
cratic local officials. The other two,
Newport and Cranston, are normal
ly Republican, though they have
Topped once in while. The Demo
cratic vote is concentrated in the
cities and larger mill towns where
the population is Of mixed racial
origin. The only question that puz-
zles the leaders of the rival parties
this year is the extent to which
confused economic conditions for
the past two years has affected the
voting mind. If these conditions con-
tinue the Democratic leaders are
confident the popular decision in
November will favor their candi-
dates for one United States senate
seat, one and possibly two benches
in the house of representatives, and
their nominees for all the state and
many county and local offices.
G. o. P. Encouraged
Marked improvement in business
condition during the last three or
four months have encouraged the
Republican leaders to think the
other way. For many months a
strike over wage and hour condi-
tons, plus a substantial percentage
of depression in the textile industry,
has thrown from 10000 to 10000
mill hands out of work. But it seems
to be an economic i'll wind that does
nobody no good, for the Republicans
in such a situation as exists today.
Rhode Island is probably the only
state in the union that generally
looks with favor on the Fordney-
McCumber tariff bill. Not only are
the manufacturers, the bankers,
business men in all lines in favor of
maximum tariff rates, but a large
element of the labor elements re-
gard them as essential to the COM
mercial welfare Of the state. The
theory is that the higher the tariff
rates the greater the profits ard
more substantial the wages. In
Rhode Island the tariff is local
issue, pure and simple.
1t will be the Democratic task in
the three weeks campaign ahead to
prove to the mill hands that no
amount Of wages will cover the in
creased cost Of shoes and clothing
made necessary by the pending tariff
measure. The chances are that the
Democratic candidates 1Or the SEN
ate and lower house will not assail
the Republican tariff measure with
the same ferocity as will their party
conferees in other states.
In Rhode Island a tariff issue cuts
both ways. The campaign for tie
congressional honors will, therefore,
be conducted along other lines. From
present indications, the senate light
between Mr.. Gerry and Mr.. Beck
man will be more or less of a per-
sonal affair There is actually little
difference between them. Both are
rich, which is no small matter in
Rhode Island. The disqualification
of the federal corrupt practices act
will help appreciably.
Money to Count
With the lid off, Mr.. Gerry and
Mr.. Beekrnan will not be 'nbar-
raised by irksome restriction, end
the more prudent and practical
voters will share in the benefits. In
other words, money will probably
make lot of noise on both sides.
Neither Mr.. Gerry nor Mr.. Beekrla n
laws claim to superior abilities SIS
statesmen. But both are good spend
ers and neither is considered to be a
"piker."
Both come from eminently re-
spectacle families. One balances the
other in likable qualities. Mr.. Gerry
is most charitable. He uses the stuff
of the late big Tim" Sullivan, Of
Bowery fame. He gives excursions
to the poor children in summer and
provides them with socks and shoes
in the winter.
Mr.. Beekman, who was once gov.
ernor of Rhode Island, also distrib-
utes large sums to the poor,
though his fancy runs to silver Glow