Evening star., 1936-10-27
BY WILL p. KENNEDY,
Staf Correspondent Of The Star.


erford Counties-all strongly Demo-
cratic. with at least 10000 in Bum
combe alone. The district in the past
has sent five or more Republicans to
Congress-most recently J. J. Britt,
who was seated in the closing days
after long drawn-out contest: George
M. Pritchard, son of the old Populist-
Republican coalition Senator; John
Grant. gaunt. uncouth mountaineer,
who slipped in by split in the Demo-
cratic ranks: Richmond Pearson.
later in the diplomatic service under
Taft, and James Moody-so 1t has
been battling ground. The normal
split has been go per cent Demo-
cratic to 40 per cent Republican.
Thirty years ago Buncombe County
was nip and tuck. Is years ago it
elected a Republican State Senator
and Republican candidates used to
lose by Is to 40 votes, and now they
lose by 10000.
Cherokee. Clay and Graham Coun-
ties are usually close and generally
counted as Republican. Cherokee is
practically conceded to 60 Republican.
while Graham is expected to go Demo-
cratic and Clay likewise. but probably
by only a dozen or so votes.
All the leading campaign orators
have been back and forth over this
district and Senator Robert r. Rey-
nolds, who lives in ASheville, has been
especially active. usually speaking
three and four times a day. A. Hall
Johnston, State Senator, seeking re-
election. has been through all the
mountain region-Henderson YAM
cey, Haywood. Rutherford, Transyl-
vania. Swayne. jackson and Macon
Counties. He predicts that the vote
on presidential, State and congress
sional tickets will not vary I per cent
IN the total-the voters are prepared
to vote the straight ticket all down the
line. The county chairmen have their
local organizations perfected, he says.
Senator Josiah w. Bailey OF Raj
eigh, campaigning for reelection, is
reported to be exceedingly popular"
throughout these Western counties.
The Democratic candidate for Cover
nor, Clyde r. Hoey, formerly a men,
Der Of Congress, is a Western man,
from Cleveland County, and will keep
pace pretty closely with the national
ticket. He will poll especially we'll in
his home county, Cleveland, and in
Haywood County, where his son is
popular official in big manufacturing
plant.
Pat M. Burdette of Asheville Is
chairman of the Buncombe County
Committee and in charge of head
quarters, with w. 2. Penland as secre-
tary and Brandon Hodges and e. c.
Green political lieutenants. Charles
A. Webb, president Of the Asheville
Citizen Times, has been active In the
campaign. with the cooperation Of
Don s. Elias and r. Hildon Ramsey.
Other County Chairmen.
Besides Burdette, the other county
chairmen in this eleventh district are:
Cherokee, A. w. McIver of Murphy:
Clay, Clarence L. Davis, Hayesyille:
Graham, H. L. Philips, Robinsonville;
Henderson, M. M. Redden. Hender-
sonville; Jackson, E. L. Mckee, Syl-
via; Mcdowell. Albert Blaonton. Ma.
rion; Macon, DR.. w. A. Rogers, Frank
lin; Polk, w. 8. Green, Tryon; Ruther-
ford. c. z. Flack, Forest City: Swain.
ThurmOnd Leatherwood. Bryson CITY.
and Transylvania, Fred Z. Shuford.
Brevard.
Prominent women are taking con-
siderably more interest than ever be-
fore In this campaign. Among the
most active workers is Mrs. Z. L. Nc
kee, Sylvia, jackson County, who
represented her district In the State
Senate in 1888. She La the present
nominee from the same district and
Will be elected. Her district includes
jackson. Haywood and Transylyaria
Counties. Another effective woman
organizer and campaigner Ia Mls Bea.
trice Cobb, Morganton, editor OF the
Morganton Herald and Democratic
national committeeworasn from North
Carolina, She has devoted her time
especially to the mountain areas.
w. c. Pennland Ia executive chair
man for the veterans Of Bupeombs
County and pledges that the veterans
votes will be cast almost unanimously
Tor the straight Democratic ticket.
The young Democrats are highly
organized and making an Aggressive
campaign. The blind Judge Sam
Caphey is president Of the Buncombe
County Club. Dilworth Cox Is chair.
man of the Federation Of Young Dem.
ocratic Clubs in the eleventh congress
siorial district, which have scheduled
vigorous spellbinder rally climax to
the campaign during the present week,
The Republicans have a strong or.
ganization Of highly respected busi-
ness and professional men, who are
making Q persistent drive to win back
- fighting chance for the party in
North Carolina. This organization,
different from most Southern States,
Is not built around Federal ONCE
holders. Largely, the Republican or
ganization Is made up OF citizens who
are seeking no once for themselves.
but seek to preserve q wholesome
check and balance in politics.
Halsey .. Leavitt b chairman Of