Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-12-05
Overturn In Texas Election
Is Surprise to Both Parties

A distinct political upset is registered
in the victory Of Richard M. Kleberg,
Corpus Christi Democrat, over the Re-
publican nominee for the congressional
seat of the late Harry M. Wurzbach,
Republican, in the recent Texas cleo
ton. Hardly lest surprising was the
fact that a second Democratic nominee
polled larger vote than the Republi-
can cane ldate. Considered as Signifi-
cant factors in the election were the
popularity Of the issues sponsored by
Mr.. Kleberg; a general opposition to
administration policies, particularly the
high tariff the outspoken wetness of
the successful candidate, while his Re
publican rival avoided declaring himself
on prohibition, though he was generally
beloved to be dry, and the personal
popularity of the new Representative in
district which for 10 years had been
kept in the Republican columns through
the esteem in which the late Mr. Wurz-
bach was held
The result is like clap of thunder
out Of clear sky to the Fort Worth
Star Telegram, which thinks that ito
have expressed a hope anywhere ada
cent to the election figures would have
been to make ones self appear ridicu-
IouB. The average Texan" continues
that paper, regarded the candidates.
OF two Democrats against one Republi-
can as making certain the election of a
Republican successor to the late Repre-
sentative WurzbaCh. When the
returns disclosed one Democratic cam
didate with more than three votes to
one over the lone Republican and an
other Democratic candidate with more
than Two votes to one over the concen-
trated effort Of the opposition, the fol-
lowers OF politics conceded a compsste
ignorance OF the situation" The STAR
Telegram observes that the election
brings into the lawmaking councils If
the Nation man of special KNOWLEDGE
concerning an important industry of
the soil-that Of live stock production, +"
"The most interesting thing" saws
the schenectady Gazette, is that it
emphasizes the fact that the deceased
o1nclai, by his personal popularity, kept
the district in the Republican column
for 10 years. There are few men in
public life who are so much stronger
than their party that they can be
reelected constantly against oyerWhelm-
ing ODDS When such is the case it is
one OF the greatest tributes that can be
pal1 a man" Referring to the success
1ul candidate, the Akron Beacon Jour-
nal recalls that he is "a former. cow
boy" and adds as to the issues in
VOWED: The new Representative is an
l-prohibitioniSt, who campaigned
upon that issue and upon opposition to
the policies CT the Hoover admiuistra-
ton. The defeated Republican nomi-
nee, who was opposed by three Demo-
Gratis, pleaded for a Hoover Endorsement.
IN spite OF the division among the
democratic candidates, Kleberg won.
largely because Of the Tigor of his cam
paign and the popularity of the issues
presented by him"
The fact that Mr. Kleberg is wet is
not significant Of any change of senti-
ment,' advises the Texarkana Gazette
stating that the district itself is wet
and his Democratic rival, who divided
with MN the party vote, was equally
wet. The Gazette offers the ANALYSIS
OF other factors: "Klebergs success was
Que, undoubtedly, in a measure to the
fact that he was born of blood beloved
In Southwest Texas. DESCENDED from
Capt. King and the son of Robert ]
k!eberg, his inheritance may be Judged
from the fact that Kleberg County's
capital is KingSyille. The two names
are part of the honorable history of
ICAaS' representative kleDerg Is keep
ing up tradition. 1t would be unfair.
however, to represent Mr.. Kleberg as
po4tlcally advanced by hereditary en-
tallment: His own qualities of leader
ship and address have carried him In
popularity and success. Admittedly IN
tried in politics, he has the greater on
p0rtunity, in that he is still unentangled
The amazing hold that Wurzbach had
upon the district and the Comparative
impotence Of the Republican party it.
self there is shown by the fact that Mr.
kleoergs Republican opponent seems TO
nave received about one fifth the vote
general election" ''A'