The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-06-05
SENSATIONAL INFLUENCE
 ON RACE FOR GOVERNOR
ay HERvEY w. LAIRD.

, But Knox "is there with the goods. too. if the baseball reporter may be quoted. He is handsome and magnetic, and good mixer He knows Alabamians like some men know their children At hls finger tips he holds the knowledge of every political zone in the state. and along with what personal strength he may pos sess with the executive, he could marshal an array of influence that will loom up majestically in his favor
 Must Count Clayton.
 Less formidable, probably, but at the same time, a prospect to be considered seriously. Is Henry D. Clayton of Bar bour. neighbor of Governor Jelks. and one of the most accommodating men in the state. If ever an Alabamian went to Washington since MT. Clayton has represented the Third In the national house and that gentleman did not ma him and do something to make hls Vlslt pleasant the visitor kept mighty secretive about it. That's one of Clayton's strong points. He Is never too busy to be cour- teous. It has stood him in good stead, too, for few men in the state are better known or advertised. Then there is this other reason for urging Clayton for the first senatorial vacancy, given by we'll known lawyer and politician or the dls- trict: There are a lot of young fellows down there who are anxious to serve the nation In congress, but none of them can beat Clayton Knowing this they are going to push the claims of that gentle man in order to get him out of their way" A little study of the proposition will show that there's sense in It. They are anxious to get something for them selves and If they can secure an opening and help Clayton at the same time. What more Is to be desired?
 Hobson the Fashion.
 It seems the fashion just now to com meet the name of Capt. R. P. Hopson with every possible political opening, past, present or future. and the United States senatorship is no exception. A we'll informed state official said one day this week that he had heard Hobson mentioned in this connection lately, but did not regard 1t seriously. Another official went further and said that Hob son would have to do a great deal more work for the party in the state than he had before he could be classed with men like Bankhead and Knox.
 But 1t is generally conceded that Hob son has "camped on the trail' of the gen tlemen in congress from the Sixth and will keep up the fight there like Judge Richardson did against Wheeler In the Eighth, until he is elected, or some good I fortune takes the man in front of him out of the way.
 New Hobson Forecast. l Speaking of Hobson the following fore 1 cast was made for him the other day by a member of the state house crowd who | Is something of a political plunger:
 My idea Is that after the nomination of a democratic candidate for president l Hobson will be sent Into the doubtful states to make speeches. He Is a magnetic speaker and will attract friends and se- cure advertising for the party. His re- ward will be the position of first assist ant secretary of the navy, a place he is eminently fitted to fill That's no dope, it's common sense whether you take it In or not"
 Nobody had refused audibly to see any | thing reasonable in the idea, but the speaker saw so little to encourage him that he dropped the subject with the l ejaculation that there was still room ] to run in the Sixth, anyway