Evening star., 1922-09-24
TEXAN FUS|ON|STS
OUT TO BEAT KLAN
Houston Man Will Oppose
Candidate of Invisible En-
pire for Senate.
ANTS WELL ORGANIZED
Republicans Join Democrats in
Campaign to Defeat Candi.
date Mayfield.
Special Dispatch to The Star.


AUSTIN. Tex, September 23.-Fu
sion of the republicans and anti
ku Klux Khan democrats in the
selection of George E. B. Peddy OF
Houston as candidate for the United
States Senate in opposition to Earle
B. Mayfield. the candidate of the ku
Klux Khan faction of the democratic
party, makes the political situation
in Texas the most remarkable that
ever confronted the voters of this
state. The facts that the regular re
publican organization of Texas mas
given its formal and hearty indorse-
ment OF Mr. Peddy's candidacy and
that the convention of anti-klansmen
democrats which nominated Peddy
was made up of more than 500 dele
gates from various parts of the state
many of whom have long been proml-
nently Identified with democratic po-
litical affairs. are taken as an assur-
anCe that he will receive the united
support of. these two elements
Ore of the things that makes the
result of the coming senatorial cleo
ton problematical is that of the
100000 qualified voters in Texas
only about $4,000 went into the
democratic primaries. 1t is conceded
that practically all of the 5000 who
primaries were either not Interested
in any of the candidates or they are
of the republican political faith.
Republicans Are Few.
1t is very clear that there are not
that many republicans in Texas.
although to say that there are 800. 1000
who belong to that party would not
be far wrong. 1t is pointed out that
II even 100000 republicans cast their
votes for Peddy it would be enough
to elect him when added to the votes
of the anti-klansmen democrats.
Another thing that is in Mr.. Peddy' S
favor, 1t is asserted, is the fact that
approximately 10000 former members
of the American party were debarred
from voting In the recent democratic
primaries by the pledge which the
imposed upon all voters. These will
be privileged to vote in the general
election and they will support Peddy
to man, 1t is declared.
Khan Denounced.
An analysis of the anti-ku klux
Klan element in Texas shows that 1t
Is composed of many thousands of
Protestants as we'll as all of the
Catholics, Jews and foreign-born peo-
pie. Mr. Mayheld can hardly hope to
receive the votes of any of the klan's
OppOhSHkS, IL 10 PoiHlSu oul.
In the convention which nominated
Peddy denunciation of the Ku Klux
Klan was the keynote of all the
speakers and the platform which was
adopted. 1t will be the paramount
issue of the campaign between Peddy
and Mayfield. Up to this time Mr..
Mayfield has never mentioned the
khan in any of. his public uttefances.
He has never denied or affirmed that
he is a member Of the so-called ln-
visible empire. =
Peddy Is prohibitionist and a
woman suffrage advocate. The first
speech ne made in the Legislature
was in favor of woman suffrage. He
was a floor leader for the woman suf.
frage resolution in the legislature.
AS leader of the University of
Texas student body in the fight
against Gov. James E. Ferguson pre-
ceding his impeachment. Peddy be-
came a statewide figure in 1917.