The age-herald., 1902-02-25
Came Solely to be at Bedside of Edwin Campbell,
 Who is III
BUT HE TALKS POLITICS
The Congressman Supports Jelks and Cunningham Because He Regards Them as Logical Candidates.
 Expression From Johnston.

| Congressman Oscar w. Underwood left | Washington Sunday and arrived in Birm- ingham yesterday at noon. He was met at the Union Passenger Station by several | close personal friends. He went from the train to the residence of Dr. J. D. Dabney, where his friend. MT Edwin K. Camp bell, lay i'll with pneumonia. | In the afternoon MT. Underwood dined at the Metropolitan Hotel with a party of friends which included Dr. Russel M. Cunningham Judge Charles A. Senn, Judge Dan A. Greene, Senator J. G. Moore, MT. w. c. Garrett. MT. Henry B. l Gray and MT. Robert H. Thach. 1 After the dinner the congressman was | asked if he had arranged to hold a politi- | cal conference during his visit to Birm- ingham.
 The Conference.
 q am not here to hold political con ference or a conference of any kind" said MT. Underwood. T came solely for the purpose of seeing my friend, Edwin Campbell, who is extremely i'll. I make It a rule never to leave Washington when Congress is in session, but when I was informed of the serious illness of one of the dearest friends I have in this world dropped my work and hastened to Bir. mingham that might be at MT. Camp | bells bedside
 MT. Underwood went on to say that while he knew of no conference that would be held here this week. he wished | the public to know that he was support ing Governor w. D. Jelks and Dr. R. M. | Cunningham for the next Democratic | ticket-Jelks for Governor and Cunning l ham for Lieutenant Governor.
 "As I was chairman of the state Dem- ocratic campaign committee for the rat | ifieation of the new constitution, it Is but natural and right that I should favor a ticket like that of Jelks and Cunning ham. I regard these men as the logical candidates.
 As to Others.
 'Is MT. B. B. Conner going to be can didate for Governor"
 'I do not know" said Underwood.
 'Is former Governor Joseph F. John ston going to be candidate?' ,,a
 q do not know" replied Underwood. | q do not wish to say anything about ] the gubernatorial question, and indeed I have nothing to say, further than what have said-I am for Jelks and Cunning | ham,
 i MT. Underwood said he was fully satis- fled that the new instrument was a good thing for Alabama, and he wanted to see it have a good trial. He said that the white people of the state were going to | be more and more pleased with the con- stitution, and that they would never vote to change it. But in order that the constitution might have a fair chance to become operative, he thought 1t very im- portant that a. Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Legislature should be. chosen that believed in this constitu- | tion.
 National Politics. How about national politics7
 "It is too soon," MT. Underwood said, "to discuss Presidential candidates. I think Democrats should wait until after the doubtful states hold their elections.
 q feel very confident that the Demo- crats will have a majority in the next House of Representatives. Things are working our way. The Republicans are | splitting on the question of Cuban duties and they are not doing any thing to pro- | mote our foreign commerce.
 Before 1904 rolls round the Demo- crats will find a winner. At least, I feel very hopeful that we will have a winning ticket in 1904"
 | MT. Underwood will remain here for several days certainly until there is a decided change in MT. Campbelrs condi- | ton. He is the guest of his brother. The ex-Governor. "Ex-Governor Johnston may not oppose Senator Pettus' reelection. In letter re- | ceived here today the former governor says T will gladly renounce all office | for the next six years to succeed in re- | storing the rights of suffrage to the white men in Alabama who have been disfran- | chised by the new constitution and who opposed its ratification with me. A mem- Der of the Alabama delegation speaking | of the disfranchisement of whites in the | State said today that in one of the pre- | cincts of his district he knew but three l white men who had failed to pay the | required tax"
 More Pay for Carriers.