The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-03-14
PERSONAL SIDE OF BANKHEAD
 AND ROBSON, THE CANDIDATES.
BY BRUCE xnnNrDY.

Likewise Bankhead has made enemies I ne would be poor sort of public man ne had not. Hobson has no pubic record to be assailed. Bankhead has record Thus 1t Is that the man without 1 an omce starts in with an advantage oser the man who has place. The out ssaer tells what he would do should he ee1 m and attacks what the insider has lvne. This puts the inslder on the defen- slve These conditions prevail In nearly every campaiau.
 More than quarter of a century an oncehoider Bankhead like any other man wHo nas served so long, is vulnerable. 1lls mistakes are sweet morseis to his enemies, and the keen -witted Hobson marshais these mistakes in solid phaianx ana aEsaults. the Bankhead citadel with uhsiaugnts that portend dire results to tne Iuture of the Alabama Congressman. Dankhead Is suave, shrewd, affabie and aMiaDie. He speaks directly, logically, iorclpiy, but his logic and force fall short ol tne mark in the face of the halo that movers over Hobson's head. Bankhead is exper1enced in governmental affairs. In congress he does not speak often. He is of the Kind whose influence is felt in committee rooms. where, after all, na- uona! laws are made. In much the same way ne is a more effective campaigner off uhe stump than on. He is said to be the pest still hunter for votes in Alabama, 10 one who listened to the series of 1oint debates in Walker and Fayette counties the impression still holds that bahknead committed a blunder when he i! met Hobson in forensic fray. The de- meanor of the veteran congressman when ne first came down from Washing ton to his district was that of a bull rushing on to meet knickerbockered toreador I think this Democratic dean or congress felt that Hobson was a Joke; that he would 'eat him up" as the saying goes
 whether this be true or not before two days of the debate series had passed the | confident air of Bankhead had given
 place to look of pained surprise, and the old man was wearied. Truth to tell
 he had been whipped at his own game.
 His loyal friends were summoned to an
 earnest conference at which they were no doubt Informed that the campaign
 was serious, portentous incident. The political foundation of Bankhead
 was builded on the old convention sys-
 tenn. If his political horizon is dark
 ened by Hobson 1t will be due to the
 primary plan- There are a large class
 or voters who will cast their ballot for | lrTeS0GC-
 tive of his merit The average eiector
 chooses his man because of his person.
 aity. Measures and issues, unfortunate
 ". are not often weighed. It's the man
 not the cause he represents. In this l hght Hobsor is q success. a stupendous
 opponent for Bankhead.
 Hobson comes from 6 new county of
 the district-Hale.
 "Bankhead should have known bet-
 ter, said one of his friends, than to
 have permitted Hale County to he mt
 in his district We told him at the time
 that Hale was filled with statesmen and
 sooner or later he'd have to beat one of l them"
 l Verify the prediction of these friends mas burst upon Bankhead as a wise prophecy. If one is to judge from coa- ditions in Walker and Fayette counties, Bankhead must defeat Hobson, or Hob son will defeat Bankhead.
 l would not stake my small reputation as newspaper writer that Hobson will | set majority in Walker County. have. said and repeat, that when Rank head reached there. Hobson, after a three weeks campaign, had drawn about him following that was actually amaz- ing. Just how much of this Hobson tide Bankhead and his friends can stem fs an unknown quantity. If Bankhead had re- mained in Washington as he at first ar,- nounced his purpose of doing, Hobson would have defeated him easily. | Ihe main issues discussed by Bankhead ana Hopsen are fallacious. Hobson puts his preposterous navy scheme ahead of everything else, and Bankhead measures It with the paternalistlc Brpwnlow bill Tor national control of good roads. 10 which he gives his loyal support. Both men declare their undeyiatinO da votion to Warrior and Tombigbee River improvements, but Hobson criticises the engineering work on the rivers, seem ing to entertain the view that it is the duty or Congressman to superintend the work. This position has caused at least one newspaper to wholly misrenre- sent Hobson. saying he is opposed to river improvements.
 The two candidates enter the lists again | today at Tuscaloosa, and will continue together two weeks. Their itinerary Is as follows:
 Tuesday. Brookwood; Wednesday, Cot tondale; Thursday, Eutaw in the morn ing and Union in the evening; Friday. Cuoa; saturday, Livingston in the morn .ns ana Epes in the evening; Monday. March q, Greensboro; Tuesday, Havana Tn the morning and Moundville in the evening; Thursday, Aliceville; Friday. Carrolton; Saturday, Gordo; Monday March 2S, Mlllport: Tuesday, Vernon: Wednesday, sulligent; Thursday, GuIn' Friday. Winfield
 Bankhead may defeat Hobson. Indeed. It would be remarkable thing if this young man, hitherto unknown factor In Alabama political life, should be suc cessful in this race.
 1 One thing Is certain, Hobson has shown that he Is political potentiality. His ambition is exalted and public men you.t reckon with him in the years that are | to come ~