The Washington herald., 1908-04-11
SEEK BAILEY'S SCALP
Opponents of Texas Senator
Open a Death Struggle.
POLITICAL FUTURE AT STAKE
Democratic Primary OF May TO
Select DeIegates-at-Iarge TO Dem
yer Convention VIII Also Settle
Fate OF Party Leader-Leading
Democrats Against Bailey.

Austin, Tex, April 1e.-The question of
whether Senator J. W. Bailey shall be
sent TO the Democratic national eonven-
ton at Denver as one Of the delegates-at-
large from Texas will rs determined at
the Democratic primary, which is 10 be
held On May for that purpose.
A fierce fight is being waged upon him
by an element of the Democratic party
in this State. Intense bitterness is dis
played on both sides. Mr.. Bailey is in
the State to remain until the contest is
closed. He has speaking dates covering
all the time between now and the date
OF the primary.
It Is life-and death fight with him. po-
litically speaking While he was elected
10 the Senate for another six-year term
only a year ago, II is admitted by his
closest friends that his defeat In the pres
ent contest would be equivalent 10 a de-
mand for his resignation. In his public
addresses at the time his reelection TO
the Senate was pending, he said that If
a majority Of tse Democrats OF the State
should declare themselves as opposed TO
him in primary he would resign his seat
The men who are leading the present
ltEtAN against MN EdE ne VIII nave an
opportunity TO fulfill that pledge.
A Close Contest.
Both sides are already claiming victory
The campaign managers for Mr.. Bailey
say that he viii be chosen a delegate-at-
large to the national convention by d
majority of 5000. The anti-Bafley mar a.
gers claim that Cone Johnson, who hea Is
the ticket as Mr.. BaIley's opponent, will L e
named by a majority Of $1,000 to 1905
There is no way Of arriving at a reliable
estimate Of how the vote will stand
Bailey and anti-Bailey clubs have been
organized in almost every town and VIII
lage in the State. IN some localities the
campaign is already at white heat In
the larger cities, such as Dallas. Waco
Houston. Galveston. and Adstin, the sen
timent OF the Democrats IS overwhelming
" anti-Bailey. II IS said that IN San An
tonic and Fort Worth the Bailey sup
porters are probably in a small majority
The more thlckly populated counties in
the agricultural belt OF the State are said
to be strongly opposed to Bailey, while in
the ranch territory of Western and
Southwestern Texas, where the voting
population is principally stockmen. Bailey
Is the favorite.
1t is claimed by the managers Of the
anti-Bailey campaign that an enormous
amount Of money is being expended on
behalf OF Mr. Bailey, and that the trust
interests. WHICH they say Mr. Bailey has
represented for several years, are putting
up the funds At the recent rally of
Bailey supporters at Fort Worth SIS coo
was subscribed by those present for the
expenses OF The campaign. The anti
Bailey people have raised about $500 for
the same purpose.
Leading Democrats Against Bailey.
Some of the leading Democrats Of Texas
are on the side that Is fighting Bailey
Among these men are ex-Attorney Cen
eral c. r. Bell, Judge a. ". Terrell, ex-
minister 10 Turkey; Horace Chiffon, ex-
United States Senator; ex-Attorney Cen
eral NJ. n. Crane; Roger Q. Mills, former
United States Senator; Repres aatatfve
Albert Burleson, of Austin: Attorney
General r. Y Davidson, and many others
of less prominence in the political affairs
of the State Gov. T, N. Campbell Is on
the fence, but he is generally classed as
an anti-Bailey sympathizer.