The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-01-25
]. N, Davidson Declares ROOSe-
 VeIt WiII be Tuned Down
QH|OAN AVAILABLE CANDIDATE
President Roasted for His Southern Policy and Republicans Ready to
 Rescind Action of Convention
 Endorsing Him In September.

There is no doubt but that boom for Mark Hanna has been started by the re- publicans in Alabama.
 For the past week the press in many sections of the country has commented on the assertion of W. J. Davidson of Birm- ingham that he would re-assemble the republican state convention if a meeting of the executive committee was called. In this connection MT. Davidson says that there Is no doubt but the convention, should it re-assemble, would rescind its action in indorsing Roosevelt and indorse Mark Hanna for President in 1904. The situation is very unique one, inasmuch as the feeling of Alabama republicans have undergone complete change since last September. The southern policy of Roosevelt Is as disgusting to them, it seems, as to democrats. The republicans refer to Roosevelt in much the same man. ner and terms as the staunchest demo- crat They declare he has not carried out the policy of the lamented Mckinley, as he promised to do, and that they simply cannot stand his attitudes on the negro questions.
 MT. Davidson was chairman of the fam ous convention that met in Birmingham last September and eliminated the ne- groes He was heartily in favor of the ac- ton. Because of such action the heads of number of political offce-holders in Alabama have fallen. But removal from office has but added to the feeling of resentment towards the President in his attitude toward the south.
 The republicans of Alabama seem to be falling in line to start a great move ment and boom for Mark Hanna. Since the interview with MT. Davidson was pub lished in the Age-Herald several weeks ago the press in the north has comment ed freely on the situation and MT. Hanna has not given out any more of his em- phatic denials that he would be candi- date The plan to get Hanna boom started may be from a rar-reaching source. The fact that 1t is being so freely commented on in the north gives room to think that behind it all are men of na- tional reputation in the republican party.
 Davidson Roasts Roosevelt. aaAt any rate, probably the first republi- can in the south to come out in the open, and assert that the republicans of Ala bama today stand ready to indorse Han- na and throw Roosevelt over the fence is w. J. Davidson, who gave out the follow ing interview on the subject yesterday:
 Roosevelt announced just after he as- sumed the office of President that he would carry out the policy of Mckinley. but in this respect he has failed abso- lutely.
 q think Mark Hanna is the greatest American statesman, and should he be nominated and elected to the presidency it would guarantee four years of the greatest prosperity and happiness in the history of this country.
 If he is candidate 95 per cent of the republicans of Alabama will be for him, first, last and all the time.
 T know that the rank and file of the republicans in Alabama will not be for the nomination of MT. Roosevelt for Presi- dent but will readily rally to MT. Hanna as the most available man.
 "In fact the republicans of Alabama have not now the same feeling for Roose- welt as they did when the convention met last September. It can safely be said they are ready to rescind the action in indorsing Roosevelt and indorse Hanna
 Tt Is not strictly from the lilly whites either. but there are many republicans who were opposed to the exclusion of the negro delegates who are heart and soul for MT. Hanna for the next presidential nominee.''
 The Situation in the State.
 MT. Davidson has always taken a bold stand to build up respectable white re- publican party in the south. Those who are with him in this endeavor are decid- edly sore on the President saying that as fast as they put up a few posts Roosevelt tries to tear them down.
 II the chairman, MT. Wellman, calls A meeting or the executive committee Mir Davidson says he will at once issue a call for the convention to assemble, and at the same time. Since he made this state ment several days ago there has been A noticeable "quietus'' put on the effort to have the committee meet. The .sblack and tan faction hoped to have the com mittee meet and rescind it's action in re- gard to the negro delegates being allowed seats. Now the lilly whites' come for ward and say If you call this committee we will get the convention together. re- scind our action in indorsing Roosevelt end indorse Hanna" Among the ..blacl and tans' are the few friends that Roosevelt seems to have left in Alabama.
 It Is known in republican circles that Roosevelt will have strong opposition in the next republican national Convention
 On account of his convictions MT. Da- vidson resigned his office of first assistant district attorney. He was opposed to the southern policy of Roosevelt and declared it openly.
 The Hanna boom, started in Alabama,