The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1922-06-15
CONGRESSMAN SMiTHWIcK's
DENOMINATION

BY a majority approximating $500 to
1000 votes, John Henry Smithwick, of
Pensacola. was on Tuesday. June 6, nom
mated a third time by the sovereign
democrats Of the third district Of Florida
as representative in the congress OF the
United States. Nor have the democrats
Of the third district erred in thus dem
onstrating their confidence in Mr. Smith
wick, because he has made good at Wash
ington. Indeed, his denomination was
but a rneritsd tribute "a justly earned
reward II you please, to a public servant
who has kept the faith and has thereby
been true to the people whose servant he
is.
In the sense that he has never held a
public office when he was nominated
and elected to the sixty-sixth congress.
John Smithwick was totally without ex-
perience as a public official in any ca
pacity when he assumed his congressional
duties on March A. 1919. But, notwith-
standing this handicap Of inexperience,
through wellnight uncanny insight into
human nature and human affairs, sup
plemented by genius for geniality, he
readily ingratiated himself into the con-
fidence and good will OF his colleagues
the acquaintance and companionship of
the working heads Of the several gov
ernmental departments at the capitol
The result OF this policy was that in the
brief period Of ehis first term at Wash
ington, he proved his capacity and eff
ficiency as representative through the
attainment Of results on behalf Of his
constituency. AS reard for these serv-
Ices, he was renominated two years ago.
although one Of the best organized, most
literally financed, most vigorous and
most relentless campaigns ever conduct
ed in the third Florida district was waged
against him.
Returning to Washington for service
In the sixty seventh congress, Mr. Smith
wick was alert to every demand made
upon him. Indeed, his activity on be-
half of every constituent who was moved
to call upon him became a watchword
from end to end Of the district. He got
results, because the mellowing influence
Of time had ripened his usefulness at the
capitol. and his influence there had
grown apace with his service.
The result OF this activity and accom-
plishment may be read between the lines
Of the splendid vote Of confidence which
was given our congressman on June 6.
Nevertheless, there has never been a
candidate for congress from the third
district who has been forced to meet
greater number of irrelevant and false
issues; nor one who has been more I'M
Justly criticised and maligned. than was
Congressman Smithwick during the cam
paign Just closed However, in the brief
five weeks which he devoted to his re-
cent campaign for denomination. he met
in sequence, every charge which had
been lodged against him with cold and
indubItable facts which are Of record in
the official archives at Washington.
As matter Of fact. within the four
years which Congressman SmithwiclS
has spent in public life, he has developed
a remarkable ability as a campaigner.
and the swiftness and completeness of
his recent compaign was a most enviable
performance, when 1t IS considered that
it was almost entirely a campaign Of
close and direct personal contact with
the people.
Not line Of circularizing was en-
ployed by Mr.. Smithwick. nor had he a
manager. other than himself;
neither had he any paid retainers to
carry his message to the people by word
of mouth. Communication was had with
the people exclusively through the col
umns OF the press Of the district, per-
sonally, and upon the stump. And by
the latter method, there has never been
a more effective compaign conducted in
the district, because Congressman Smith |
wick has developed into a political ora
tor worth the steel Of the best in Florida. |
There are fourteen counties in the |
third congressional district and Mr.. |
smithwick carried eleven Of these on
June 8.