The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1937-11-15
Wilcox Announces As
Senatorial Candidate
Opponent Of Claude Pep.
per Proposes To Con.
duct Active Campaign
After First Of Year

Recently while Congressman J.
Mark Wilcox was a visitor to Key
West he intimated that he would
oppose Senator Claude Pepper
for the senate but that an an
nOuneement to this effect would
be forthcoming shortly. He made
his announcement last Saturday
night.
Mr.. Wilcox will conduct an ac-
tive campaign after the first of
the year, his just completed swing
around the circuit serving as a
test of his strength. Evidently the
result has been judged favorably
by him or the decision to run
against the incumbent would have
been considered unwise or at least
delayed.
II am a firm and steadfast
believer in the principles of
the Democratic party, and !
will continue in the future as
I have in the past to support
those measures which conform
to the principles Of my party
and vigorously oppose all
measures which are at vari-
anee with those principles"
Congressman Wilcox IS serving
his third term as representative
of the Fourth Florida district. He
was first elected III 1882. His
name appears as the author on
the municipal bankruptcy law, the
air defense act and the Ever
glades National Park act. He sup
ported the legislation guarantee
ing bank deposits, establishing the
Home Owners Loan Corporation,
the farm tenancy program, the
Get creating the civilian conserva-
ton corps and he assisted in draft
ing the pending bin to stake the
Profits out Of war" Key West
ers will recall with gratitude his
diligent efforts to secure from
the government the funds with
which to build the Highway to
Key West, now in an advanced
stage Of completion. Although his
presence in Florida was needed in
furtherance of his campaign for
reelection to the post he now
holds, Mr.. Wilcox was loatlie TO
leave Washington and as a fac
tuaI matter did not leave the
Capital until the President him
self gave him the assurance that
he would grant the request for the
funds.
An outstanding accomplishment
of Congressman Wilcox was the
fearless stand he took against the
Townsend Plan when4it was RAM
pant in Florida and particularly
strong in the Fourth District. He
made Townsendism the issue of
his 1884 campaign, and his foren-
sic eloquenee was credited with
destroying the political potency
of that organization. Mr.. Wilcox
was opposed to the court reform
bill which was killed in the SEN
ate. He is an opponent of the
wages and hours bill, which will
come up for action during the
present extra session of Con-
gress; he is also opposed to the
spending Of more than $500, 000,-
600 70 dig the Florida eross-state
canal. Senator Pepper has favor.
ed the Townsend Plan as well ms
these items Of national legisla-
ton, the records show.
Whenever Congressman Wilcox
could support President Roose-
velt's program he unhesitatingly
Gid 50. but repeatedly, during
the seventy-fifth Congress, he OPP
posed the Presidents measures,
and he now makes no secret Of his
misgivings on some OF the pend
ing legislation.
Friends of Wilcox and Pepper
believe the forthcoming campaign
viii be one hotly waged as they
are the opponents Of such diamet.
rically opposite views, and because
Of this situation, the electorate OF
the Fourth Congressional District
will watch with keen Interest the
doings of both In the special ses-
sion which opened in the Capital
today and the regular session next
year.