The Columbus commercial., 1906-05-08
BANKHEAD TALKS
or HIS DEFEAT
Will Do All He Can For the Sixth Dis.
trict---Says Many POpUIites Voted And
Opponents Spent Much Money.

5AyS:
John H. Bankhead, congress
man from the Sixth district o.
Alabama, who was defeated al
the polls last week for another
term by Richmond Pearson Hob
son, arrived in Birmingham this
morning over the Frisco from
Jasper.
The defeated congressman at
tributes his failure at the polls
to the populite vote of the Sixth
district, and to the large amount
of money that Captain Hooson 8
friends are said to have expend-
ed. Colonel Bankhead wishes
Capt. Hobson success and hopes
that he will make for himself a
name and an even brighter repu-
tation in the congress of the Uni
ted States. He states, however,
that the new congressman from
the Sixth will find quite differ
ent audience in Washington to
those which have greeted him
during the campaign just ended.
Congressman Bankhead was
greeted at the station by large
number of his warm friends, and
with these he has spent, practi-
cally. the entire day. He is in
Birmingham on a visit of pleas
ure and business combined, and
will not return % Washington
until few more days have
elapsed. He states that during
his next years service he will
rapidly push all of the measures
that are pending for the benefit
of the Sixth district and the state,
go that he can retire from his
long service with the knowledge
of duty completed and we'll per-
formed.
Concerning the details of the
campaign Colonel Bankhead is
reticent in his remarks for publi-
cation. He made certain remarks
concerning the admission of the
large populist vote of the Sixth |
to the polls in a democratic pri-
mary, especially in Fayette ooun-
ty. He was surprised at the
small majority that Tuscaloosa
gave him, and refers to the fact
that the majority of representa-
tive citizens of that place have
made assurances that they deep
~ regret the defeat. Concern
ing the city of Tuscaloosa Col.
Bankhead is satisfied.
In the city Of Tuscaloosa an
impression prevails that Captain
Hobson received certain support
from the Ship Subsidy Trust.
Colonel Bankhead stated, when
questioned, that he had heard
this report, too, but was unable
to speak authoritatively on the
subject, and concerning it's au-
thenticity he knew nothing. 1t is
reported from Tuscaloosa that
more money was spent during
the last campaign than during
any other political campaign in
the history of the district.
Colonel Bankhead, in the most
dignified manner, discusses his
defeat. 81 am not to blame,"
said he this morning. 81 did my
best. have the pleasure of
knowing that l have done earn
est work for the Sixth district for
a long number of years, and that
Is s. remarkable consolation. My
defeat, | think, was due to money
expended, the populist vote, and
q strenuous campaign that has
been waged for two successive
years. wish Captain Hobson
success.
When asked concerning his fu-
ture plans Colonel Bankhead
said:
"I have no political plans. -
He did not make a statement
concerning entering the race for
the senatorial succession. In
this connection, however, he
stated that he had received sew
eral letters from Hobson men
proffering their support in case
he saw fit to make the race to
succeed either Senator Pettus or
Senator Morgan.
The colonel takes his defeat
most philosophically, and tc a