The Washington times., 1924-10-21
DR. BUT [
SC.HIEF
FFOE:
Republicans Revive Texas
Machine" to Further Cause.
Press Changes Sentiment
BY 8. ]. HUGHES,
international News Service.


-"Oh, what will the harvest bel"
Texas was muttering somewhat
1ncoherently to herself today as
the hour for the trek to the polls
approached, and although there is
undoubtedly a Presidential cam
paign seething somewhere in
these United States, Texas prob
ably won't know it until the ma
tional ticket surprisingly looms
up on the ballot with Mrs. Miriam
(Ma) Ferguson.
There were any number of dis
turbing elements confronting the
enigma-gripped politician today
perhaps tho smolderlngs of one of
the nations greatest political up
heavals, Texas going Republican.
Republican Machine.
Foremost there was cited the al
most uncanny rejuvenation of the
Texas Republican machine-an or
ganization that in departed years
has struggled hopelessly along in
the wake of an all-powerful Demo-
cratic dominance.
Gathered behind the Republican
standard bearer, Doctor George c..
Butte, former dean of the Texas
Law School, there marches the
downed but not out ranks of the
Ku Klux Khan, the old band Of
struggling Republicans and a host
OF diSgruntled Democrats.
Rallied to- Mrs. Ferguson there
tramp the thousands of mistaken
supporters of her husband, inn
peached Governor James E. Fer
guson, and the vast phalanx Of pre-
ordained Democrats, who would
sooner auction off their birthrights
than wander from Democracy's
path.
And then there is the woman
vote.
Campaign Wedge.
Doctor Butte, Republican nomi.
nee, whose unique platform of one
plank, merely to support the gov
errors oath of office, excited con
siderable favorable comment, has
used the impeachment of Ferguson
as his outstanding campaign wedge.
To soothe and console those who
might be adverse to forsaking the
Democratic party for a Republican
candidate, Doctor Butte has re-
peatedly recalled the Presidential
campaign of 1920, when he charged
Ferguson himself deserted the party
to become an independent candidate
for President of the United States
on "a wet ticket"
The entire battle has revolved
around the former governor. Mrs.
Ferguson has been entirely excluded
from issue-discussion, with the ex-
ception Of casual mention confined
70 comparison of her qualifica=
lions with Doctor Butte.
First Nominee Declines.
So insignificant was the Repub-
ucan chances considered in the
early hours of the campaign that
=. P. Lee, of Houston, the first
Republican nominee, practically de-
clined the nomination by declaring
that it was a hopeless honor"
For this statement party leaders
withdrew his nomination, later Sc.
Aectlng the present nominee.
Hammering constantly on the
theory that Ferguson is attempting
70 sneak into office behind the
skirts of his wife," Doctor Butte.
according to his followers, has
rallied thousands of votes to the
Republican cause in addition to his
unchallenged Ku Klux Khan sup.
port, although he has taken ex.
IRENE pains to make known that
the KAN strength comes unsolicited.
An organization known as the
GOOD Democratic League of Texas
composed of some of the States
most prominent Democratic figures
OF the past, was recently horn to
support Doctor Butte, not out of
any express opposition to Mrs.
Ferguson but because Of the en-
9voidable influence her hushand
would WELD in the event of her
election" its founders said.
No Republican Governor
Texas has never in history entar.
tanned an elective Republican gov.
ernor, and at the close of the nri.
mar1es Mrs. Ferguson's election
was considered to be unquestioned.
Today, however, viewed through
ire haze OF uncertainty, things have
assumed a competitive aspect. Re.
publican leaders declare, pointing
out that the selection of a man Of
Doctor Butte's caliber was an az.
complishment that astounded even
the most astute Democrat and that
made the path clear for the election
or Republican whose soul is not
dominated by politics"
optimism further prevails in the
q. q. p. camp in considering the
primary run-off between Mrs. Fer
guson and Judge Felix Robertson.
Ku Klux Khan candidate, when