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Next morning, before the bell, there was a Democratic caucus. Although again notified specifically by letter, Senator Heflin. for some reason ("a misunderstanding." he blustered later), did not appear. The Democrats voted, 35 to 1, their confidence in Senator Robinson as Democratic leader and, by inference, their disgust with Senator Heflin. Democrats eyed askance the one man, Senator Park Trammell of Florida, who tagged along with the Senate "fat boy" against the captain of his team.
When next the Senate met, funny Senator Moses said he was surprised by Heflin's "complete and abject surrender." It was a stupid, sorry jape, for up lunged Heflin again to deny that he had been "rebuked." He bawled out that Leader Robinson had been "cowardly" about the caucus.
Marveling at the inanities of their highest legislative body, citizens wondered why the Heflin frock coat could not be replaced by a straitjacket. They wondered how the Senate's "fat boy" was regarded in Alabama.* Some answers to the latter query were published during the week.
The Montgomery Advertiser said: "What a callous and wretched demagogue Heflin is. What a disgrace. . . . How humiliating and depressing. ... O that this cup might pass from the lips of this people!" To emphasize its repudiation of Heflin, the Advertiser declared for Candidate Smith.
The Montgomery Journal said: "Alabamians must hang their heads in shame. . . . It was a disgraceful performance. . . . Governor Smith is not the man for the Democrats to nominate and the whole South knows it, but Senator Heflin is doing more to bring about his nomination than any other man in the United States. . . ."
The Mobile Register said: "... 'Tar and feathers.' It is not true. It slanders the state."
The Birmingham Age-Herald said: ". . . Not many sober-minded citizens of Alabama . . . will fail to be mortified by his astounding exhibition of rabid intolerance, shockingly wretched taste and naked disdain for the most precious of American principles. . . ."
The Birmingham Post said : " . . . The Democratic Party is the loser but the shame is Alabama's."
Dothan Eagle: "... Oh, Heflin! Oh, Hell!"
Senator Robinson was showered with congratulations for rebuking Heflin, who thereupon announced that he too had been congratulated. In Lafayette, Ala., the Heflin home town, the Sun stated : "Leading men of Lafayette and Chambers County thoroughly approve Heflin's stand."
Asked Columnist Heywood Brown of the New York World: "Why is it that the Republican Party has rather more than its fair share of the rogues and the Democratic Party practically all the idiots?"
*Here was the constitutional nub of the question, as the Senate saw it. The Senate's ablest constitutional lawyers, including Senator Borah, were of the opinion that the Constitution makes the Senate the ultimate judge of the character of elections of U. S. Senators by and in the States.
*Actually fearing assault, Senator Heflin is said to go armed at all times. Some years ago in Washington, he hurled a Negro from a tram, fumbled out a revolver, shot at the falling Negro, missed him, wounded a white man in the hip.