El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1910-04-30

Austin. Texas, April 3O.-Some OF
the prohibition leaders in the state
Democratic party. who are supporting
Cone Johnson, of Tyler, in his cand<-
dacy for the nomination of governor,
and who are strongly opposed TO sena-
tor J. W. Bailey, claim to have made
an important discovery. They say that
they have convincing circumstantial
evidence TO show that William Poin-
dexter, of Cleburne, who is also making
the race for the Democratic nomina-
ton of governor on the prohibition is
sue is the victim of a conspiracy be-
tween Mr.. Bailey and his leaders and
the antiprohibitiOn organization 1t is
asserted by them that Mr.. Poindexter is
merely in the race as pacemaker, and
to divide the prohibition vote, so that
O. B. .Colquitt, of Terrell, who is the
avowed candidate of the antiprohibi-
tionists, may win the race in the pri-
maries that are TO be held on July g.
BaiIey's Hands Tied.
The well known fact is cited that Mr.
Bailey is under the greatest political
obligations to the antiprohibition fac
ton of the Democratic party in Texas.
The undisputed charge is made that but
for the order that went forth from the
headquarters of the ntiprohibitionists
Just three days before the Democratic
primaries two years ago for all mem
bers of that organization 70 support Mr.
Bailey for delegate at large to the ma
tional Democratic convention, he would
have been beaten by a big majority
by his opponent in that contest, Cone
Johnson, the same man who is now
formidable candidate for governor. 1t
is charged that Mr.. Bailey clearly owes
his socalled vindication in the last
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS TO the rallying of
the liquor interest," 10 his support, and
that it was a part of that political deal
that Mr. Bailey should use his influence
to defeat state wide prohibition when
that issue was presented to the people
for determination
POindexter a Victim.
1t is regarded as significant that it
was Mr.. Bailey who opportuned Mr..
Poindexter TO enter the race for gov
ernor. and thatSit was through his in
fluence and that of some of his leading
supporters, who happened to be promi-
nent in the ranks of the antiprohibi-
tioEists., that the Cleburne man finally
ccnsented.to become candidate for the
office. 1t is not limited that Mr.. Poin-
dexter was party to this political trans
action. which is said to have been made
between Mr.. Bailey and the Socalled
liquor interests. He is Unwittinsly lend
ing himself TO their purpose of defeat
ing prohibition, iS is asserted, and by
doing so, Mr.. Bailey is able to pay a
political debt that was incurred at
time when his public career was at
stake.
johnson the Man.
Since the report of this alleged deal
between Mr.. Bailey and the antiprohl-
bitionists became noised about over the
state, the prohibition leaders have re-
doubled their efforts to concentrate
their forces upon Johnson with the
view of making his candidacy the sole
representative of the prohibition issue,
and to force the withdrawal of Mr.
Poindexter from the race. In his po-
litical addresses over the state, Pom
dexter makes the claim that statutory
state wide prohibition would be uncon-
and that he is strongly op-
posed to that character of an attempt
being made to drive the liquor traffic
from the state. He believes that the
only method is the adoption of an
to the state constitution pro-
viiing for statewide prohibition. Mr.
Johnson takes the opposite view of the
statutory statewide prohibition propo-
sition. He declares that such a law
would be constitutional, and further
more it is a step that the prohibition
lists should take, irrespective or the |
question of submitting the proposed |
amendment to the constitu- !
ton to a vote of the people.
1t is a significant fact that the pro- |
are assured of a majority i
Of members of the next legislature, |
which would enable the enactment OF /
a statewide prohibition law, while IL 4
IS by no means certain that this ele- !
nent will have the necessary two-thirds |
that is required to pass a con- /
5titutional amendment resolution. In (
other words, the legislature will be able
10 carry out the prohibition proposition /
as advocated by Johnson. but may not 1
De able to do that which Mr.. Poindex- |
ter is urging. 1t is claimed by men
who are in close touch with the politi- |
al situation that Poindexter'S half ]
way position on the prohibition propo-
;ition is causing him the loss of many
supporters who are alligning them
selves with Johnson in the belief that |