The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-03
Primary Election Decides That Bailey Shall Be Delegate
 to Denver
BITTEREST CAMPAIGN
 EVERY FOUGHT IN TEXAS
Senator Bailey Wins the Greatest Vic tory of His Life In Receiving the Majority Vote For Conven-
 ton Delegate.

Dallas, Tex, May 2.-After probably the most spectacular campaign known in the political history of the southwest, dating from March 2S and ending last night par tial returns from the democratic primaries held throughout this state today to name delegates at large to the national con- yention, 145 of the 245 counties reporting, indicates that the ticket headed by United States Senator Joseph w. Bailey has re- ceived a majority of from 15,OO0 to 200OO votes.
 Following the charges and subsequent investigation of the alleged connection of Senator Bailey with the Waters-Pierce Oil company and other concerns before the state legislature which resulted in the discharge of the committee of the Senate before a decision was reached and Sen ator Bailey being exonerated by the lower house, special interest was lent to todays election in that the result will carry the indorsement or disapproyal Of the senator by the voters of the state. In a speech during the investigation Senator Bailey promised unrelenting warfare against his political opponents and it is said to have been this speech, in which he also declared that none of his op- ponents should attend the next democratic national convention, that caused the fight this spring.
 The ticket probably chosen is:
 Joseph w. Bailey of Gainesville, M M. Brooks of Dallas, James L. Story of Lock- hart and Andrew J. Baker of San Angelo. Alternates-B. F. Looney of Greenville, J. R. Kubena of Fayetteville, J. R. Bow man of Amarillo and c. l.. Bracnfield of Henderson
 silan ie tIlosRaaa seeaaAea were made in the dampaieIa and skinteresr was at white heat during the last few days of the struggle.
 MT. Baileys chief opponent in the fight was Cone Johnson, prominent lawyer of Tyler, Tex.
 Spectacular Campaign.
 The campaign was opened by his op- ponents when the democratic state cen- tral committee met in Fort Worth in February. A primary was demanded for 8 test of strength. The friends of the senator voted down the proposition, but Bailey, in Washington, ordered different ly. He commanded his friends to array
 
 Meanwhile at Waco there assembled from all quarters of the state 2500 of those who have condemned the senator. They nominated a ticket headed by Cone Johnson, the man who had nominated Bailey in the Dallas convention and had since been convinced that his hero had fallen, for delegate-at-large. They placed on that ticket Cullen Thomas the man who had helped prosecute the original action against the Waters-P Pierce Oil com pany only to see his efforts go for naught when the senator is said to have inter- vened.
 Senator Bailey returned to Texas. As sembling his cohorts he announced great convention at Fort Worth, said to be his stronghold. Six thousand men at tended and his ticket was placed in formal opposition. The lines were definitely drawn.
 Then opened the battle. Already Texas was at fever heat politically. Speaker after speaker took the stump. From every corner and on every train the fight went on. Great meetings were held in almost every city. The senator, always picturesque. attracted thousands upon thousands to hear him speak at every place he stopped.
 Night and Day Struggle.
 Night and day, necessarily, the struggle has been carried on, never once lessen ing in it's ferocity. Senator Bailey is a man with friends as strong and as open in their advocacy of his acts as his opponents are bitterly opposed.
 It has been like case in court with the entire suffrage of the state as jury. Bailey stands charged with treachery to his people, and his opponents have the documents. The senator says some of them are forged, but admits having bor- rowed money from H. Clay Pierce 15 off ha it1tr hu Governor Francis of Missouri.
 The prosecution has been vigorous. The defense has been remarkable. The great est political battle of it's kind ever waged in the United States has been the result.
 Senator Bailey declared he would be vindicated by a majority of 100000. His opponents said that he would never go to Denver.
 If don't it is because I am assas- sinated,' he replied.
 About him constantly lowered the se- cret service men of his bodyguard as he travels over the state.
 Judge Gerald of Waco dared him to fight 1t out with pistols but Bailey declined
 Col "Bill'' Crawford of Dallas de- nounced him as thief and a liar and walked the streets armed and ready for the fray.
 Cullen Thomas of Waco challenged Bailey to use his name in denuncation just once after his Houston speech and escape retaliation in blood.
 For a month Texas has been literally divided into two armed camps. It was the same during the investigation at Austin in the winter of 1906-19O7 when every one of 20 men allowed in the com mittee room sat with revolvers in their pockets, ready for the fray that was but narrowly avoided on several oc- casions
 HAILEYs STRONG RACE.