The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-12-30
TILLMAN DISCUSSES
DEMOCRATIC CHANCE
1t Is Too Early to Predict Who VIII Be
the Nominee In 19o8-Some
National Questions.

Senator Til1man, who delivered a lecture
last night under the auspices of the Uni
ted Charities, is the guest of his cousin,
John P. Tillman at his home on High
land avenue. At the residence Senator
Tillman talked on several subjects which
are interesting the nation at present, and
which he but touched slightly in his
speech last night
In reply to questions, Senator Tillman
said that it was too early now to discuss
the possibilities for the democratic pres
idential nomination in 1908: that things
were happening so rapidly that the man
mentioned today might be an impossible
ity in two years
Senator Tillman spoke of President
Roosevelt stealing democratic thunder,
mentioning the income inheritance tax
among other things, which he said was
democratic doctrine. He said he thought
that if the President continued to use
these questions as original with him, 1t
would result in a wave of democratic
feeling over the country
In regard to the Brownsville affair, Sem
ator Tillman said that it only went to
strengthen the democratic party in its
white supremacy but doubted if it would
have any great effect on national politics
unless taken up and pushed vigorously.
He also discussed the recent Japanese
troubles in California. He stated that he
did not think that the matter would bring
on international difficulties, and that he
had not heard any public men in Wash
ington express themselves In favor of the
attitude of President Roosevelt in inter-
fering. He said that they did not indorse
his message on the subject.
This Japanese trouble, Senator Tillman
said. was only another side of the race
problem, or the matter of caste. He
thought it was a matter with which the
state of California should deal, and not
the national government. He stated that
the constitution specifically sets aside po-
lice duty as belonging to the state, and
not the national government, and stated
that the question of the management of
the schools was certainly one of police
duty.
Senator Tillman said that if this ques-
ton were taken up by the democrats on
the Pacific slope and properly handled, it
would probably swing the slope states
into the democratic column.
This race question is bobbing up on
all sides all the time" said the senator.
"Other states and sections have their
troubles with the race question as well
as the south. / think that there VS. quite
a change in sentiment throughout the
north in regard to the negro problem. |
bava heen featuring for three months in
the north. and l find a marked change.
The people are studying and understand
ing the negro question better, and are
obtaining much more intelligent view
OF 1t.
1.-THE south and the west might get to-
gether on this race question, so to speak,
and with the change in sentiment in the
north the democratic position should be
greatly strengthened"
In regard to Birmingham and his visit
here, Senator Tillman had little to say.
but what he said was enthusiastic.
II have only been here few hours and
have had little opportunity of seeing your
city but l am most favorably impressed
with what have SEEM he said. Il see
on all sides evidences of material pros
perity and of growth, which are always
encouraging in any city. From what little
] have seen l am very fayorably inn
pressed with Birmingham / hope to see
more and then can tell better about it."