Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1923-08-10
Politics at Large
BY N. o. MESSENGER

erence to his possible candidacy that
"Barkis is wilIin'," while fully eI-
pected. has nevertheless been followed
by spirited gossip among the members
of the high command and rank and
file in tho democratic party. This
high command" is a generic term,
members nor designation of rank or
precedence. In point of fact, every
good democrat feels himself qualified
for leadership and for membership
in the high command.
4
The subject OF greatest discussion
among democrats consequent upon
the address of Senator Underwood
had to do with his outspoken defense
OF the proposition that an aspirant
for the democratic presidential nomi-
nation should not be disbarred be-
cause of his hailing from south of
Mason and Dixon line. His bold
stand has pleased the southern demo
Gratis nightly. For years the sec
has ranked. They have felt humil-
lated in feeling that they were re-
garded as but negligible part OF
the democratic party when it came TO
presenting a candidate, but, oh. how
desirable in supporting the candidate
selected by the north. east and west.
Southern democrats were delighted.
therefore, when Senator Underwood
took up the cudgels for their down
trodden section.
Senator Underwood said on this point
that unless the southern states are
willing to forget their birthright the
time has come when they have a right
to ask of their sister states, whose
sons have so often been honored by
college. that a son OF the southland
should again bear the banner OF de-
mocracy and be chosen to direct the
destinies of the nation.
I'VE cannot maintain the respect of
others if we do not stand for reason
able treatment for ourselves. 1t is
no question OF idle honors; 1t is "a
mental problems that affect the very
life and happiness of our people are
at stake" His statement that a son of
ed had reference. of course. to James X.
Polk. 1T has been eighty years.
said Senator Underwood. "since James
X. Polk OF Tennessee was nominated
and elected President of the United
Stataes. Eighty years since we have
had democratic President of the
United States from the south"
William ]. Bryan promptly Endorsed
Senator Cnderwoods appeal for a
square deal for the south and it's
candidate. but took violent exception
10 any possible construction being
placed on Senator Underwoods plea
warranting the assumption that Sena-
tor Underwood was the only pebble
on the southern beach. Mr.. Bryan is
understood to entertain the conviction
that Senator Underwood is located on
the wet beach. while Mr.. Bryan is
overload of the dry beach And. among
the pebbles on that beach he could
deScry former Secretary of the Navy
Josephus Daniels, Conner of Alabama
and Pat Neff of Texas.
4 Y x
Northern democrats are said to
realize that once the camel gets its
nose under the tent-that is to say,
that when the prejudice against south
erners is abandoned and the princi-
pie is accepted of the availability of
a southern candidate from a political
viewpoint, the field of presidential
possibilities will be greatly enlarged
and the south will in fact have an
advantage over the north.
AS Mr.. Bryan himself said in his
attack on Senator Underwood. every
southern state can furnish a candi-
date" That statement is correct. It
has been the practice of the southern
states to keep their senators and rep
resentatives in Congress for long
terms Their men. through seniority
and natural ability. have attained
prominence in legislative affairs. Con-
gress has been to them school for
the development of statesmen. And
those who do not measure UP to the
standards of craftsmanship have Sc
cured publicity which is akin to
prominence.
The north sends many able men to
the Senate and House in the first
place. but is not fortunate in keeping
them there. So often they come in
on "f1uke" or landslide. and in the
reaction disappear before they have
opportunity to make a record, or even
to gain publicity.
X X X
What has become of the boom of
Gov Alfred T.. Smith of New York for
the presidential nomination? Was the
early frost inflicted upon it by Tom
Taggart, Senator Mcclellan of Ten
frost?
1t is not conceivable that the En-
pire state will go into the democratic
national convention without a candi-
date. backed by a vociferous crowd of
Tammanyites. making the welkin ring
and the nights hideous. That would
not be Boss Murphy's play" at all.
1t is a safe bet that the Hermit of
Goodground-thats what they call him
because of his reticence and the loca-
ton of his country home-is keeping
up lot of thinking and a close eye on
developments. By the time he should
find Gov. Smith to be impossible, if 1t
should so develop, he can be depended
upon to present a full-fiedged candi-
date.
The Ford boomers have been quiz
escent for fortnight, which fact has
caused some uneasiness in the camps
of the other possibilities. They fear
the Ford outfit is lying low to spring
a surprise on them. The better guess.
however, is thought to be that the
Ford managers are waiting for the re-
cent sudden outburst among democrats
favoring Henry Ford to sink in," and
watch the reaction.
The Ford movement is classed among
many politicians as a two-track under
taking with the White House as the
terminal. They don't care whether he
runs in on the democratic track or a
third party track. If they had the