"OUTCOME OF MISSOURI SENATE RACE IN DOUBT"

SENATOR REED FACES STIFF CHALLENGE FROM DEMOCRATIC OPPONENT

St. Louis, Missouri (JFK+50) On October 25, 1922, David Lawrence reports "Missouri is aflame in the fires of personal and partisan rivalry in politics such as no other state...is experiencing."

Senator James A. Reed* (D-Missouri), seeking re-election this fall, is both loved and hated with great intensity while his Republican opponent, R.R. Brewster**, has the support of "thousands...who dislike Reed's career in politics and his opposition to Woodrow Wilson."

While Missouri is normally Democratic, the outcome this election, according to David Lawrence, is very much in doubt.

JFK+50 NOTE

Senator Reed was re-elected on November 7, 1922 with 51.85% of the vote, R.R. Brewster finished with 47.32%.

*James Alexander Reed (1861-1944) was born in Mansfield, Ohio & moved to Iowa at age 3.  JAR attended Coe College & served as mayor of Kansas City, 1904-1906 & U.S. Senator 1911-1929.

**Reginald Raymond Brewster (1876-1946) was born in White Cloud, Kansas & graduated from Highland University.

SOURCE

"Missouri Aflame As Election Nears," by David Lawrence, The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., October 25, 1922, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

James A. Reed

(D-Missouri)

Photo by Blanche Reineke (1911)

WAR FOR THE LIFE, HONOR & INTEGRITY OF THE COUNTRY

JFK+50:  Volume 7, No. 2269

U.S. SENATE VOTES OVERWHELMINGLY FOR WAR

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) One hundred years ago this evening, April 4, 1917, the Senate of the United States overwhelmingly passed President Woodrow Wilson's war resolution by a vote of 82 to 6*.  

The vote came after thirteen hours of debate on the floor of the Senate. Senator George W. Norris (R) Nebraska charged that the motivation for entering the world war was "at the behest of the munitions barons of Wall Street."

Senator James A. Reed** (D) of Missouri countered by saying...

"The president is not calling America to war for the sake of...dollars but for the life, honor and integrity of this country."

Senator Norris, along with Senator Robert M. La Follette (R) Wisconsin. were among those few in opposition to the war resolution.

The United States of America would formally enter the war after the approval of the war resolution by the U.S. House of Representatives and the signature of the President. 

*The vote came at 11:15 p.m. Washington time.  8 senators were absent or paired.

**James Alexander Reed (1861-1944) was born in Ohio & attended Coe College. After practicing law, JAR served as mayor of Kansas City 1900-1904.  He was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1910.  While Senator Reed supported Wilson's war resolution, he opposed entry into the League of Nations.

SOURCES

"Senate For War; 82 To 6," by Arthur Sears Henning, The Chicago Daily Tribune, April 5, 1917, www.archives.chicagotribune.com/

President Wilson Asks for War Declaration

April 2, 1917
Library of Congress Photo