El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1910-07-04

ode on behalf of each of the
Hdates. While II is the opinion
many close observers of the political
situation that William Poindexter VIII
be the fourth man in the race, this con-
clusion is strongly disputed by his
chief Supporters who assert that his
chances OF receiving the nomination are
better than any of the other candidates.
It is unques:Ionably true that Mr.. Poin-
dexter has developed a much greater
siren 9Th than vas expected early in the
campaign In fact. it is claimed by
the men who are charging that this
candidate was placed in the field at
the lnstigotion Of senator J. w. Bailey
to divide the support of the prohibit
tionists anu thereby help to bring about
the nomination {: O. B. ColQuitt, the
candidate of the state liquor mems asso-
citation, that Poindexter is making such
different race from what was expected
that the parties 10 the scheme are
much alarmed 1t is stated that Poindex-
ter is not only receiving the support of
a big share Of the Bailey prohibition
vote but he has made considerable in
roads into the Bailey anti-prohibition
vote which would otherwise have gone
II Colquitt
Bailey May Defeat CoIquitt.
The unexpected strength of the po
liticaI support which Mr.. Poindexter
has developed has given rise to an in
teresting but improbable report to the
effect that should Mr.. Bailey enter the
campaign in behalf of that candidate
upon his return to the state and show
a real sincerity in his efforts to bring
about his nomination, his action would
cause q reallignment of many Bailey
men, and. further. that the saloon and
brewery interests are now making a
close investigation of the situation with
the view of throwing its support al the
last moment 10 Poindexter, abandoning
Mr.. ColQuitt- This would be brought
about through MIR. Bailey's influence, it
Is said 1t is pointed out that such ac-
ton on the part of the saloon inter
cStS would probably save them from
legislative harassment, and. at least pro-
tect them against statutory prohibit
ton. Just what influence Mr.. Bailey
would have in bringing TO Mr. Poin
dexter the support Of the liquor inter
ests, should he seek to play the part,
is. OF cOuse, unk outside of the in
ner circle of politics. 1t is a PROPOSE
tion that is very unreasonable upon its
face. but stranger things than this have
happened in Texas politics.
WOlterx Not Well Pleased.
1t is known that Jake VOTERS, of
Houston. manager of the anti-prohibi-
tion campaign on behalf of the liquor
interests is not well pleased with the
political situation as regards Mr.. Col
quits chances of securing the nominal
ton 1t is stated that Mr.. Wolters is
uneasy over the inrOads which z. V.
Davidson is making In the rank and
file of ti-prohibitionists. not only in
south Texas, but all over the state.
It was originally expected that Mr..
Colquit would get the solid support OF
this vote. 1t is claimed by the man
ayers of Davidson's campaign that there
has been a big breaking away of the
ColQuitt followers to Davidson during
the last two or three weeks, and that
this new Alignment is becoming more
pronounced every day. This change of
support is probably over estimated by
the more ardent Davidson men. 1t is
unquestionably true that Mr.. Davidson
has made heavy gains in south Texas
and other parts of the state, but the
new a9cessions are not all from the
ranks of former Colquitt supporters
Mr.. VOTERS is busy urging the Col
quit men over the state to remain
steadfast in their support of that can
didate. He IS visiting the more doubt-
full communities and lending his per-
sonal efforts TO repairing the alleged
damaged parts of Mr.. Colquitt's polite
al fences
Bailey's Fight on Davidson.
1t was recently reported that the sa-
loon organization Of the state was con-
siderfng the advisa bility of throw ing
its support to Mr.. Davidson in the
event that it was considered that his
chances for receiving the nomination
were better than Colquitt. 1t is now
explained that while such action may
have been discussed by the anti-prohi
bition leaders, it met with such vigor-
Gus opposition on the part OF Mr.. Bal
ley that it was dropped. Whether it will
be taken up again later on in the cam
paign remains to be seen. 1t may be
that this report, like a good many
others, has little foundation in fact
1t serves to enliven the campaign, but
it is doubtful if its circulation among
the Democratic suffragists has any eff
feet one way or the other on the stu
alton.
There are certain straws which indi-
cate the changes that have taken place
in the general situation during the last
few weeks. In the early part of the
campaign Colquitt was quite generally
picked upon as the prospective winner
against the field of three other can
didates. Johnson and Davidson are
now looked upon by many nonpartisan
and unbiased political observers, whose
opinions on the situation are entitled to
great weight, as having better chances
than Mr.. COlquitt of receiving the nom
nation
Bailey Row Leads.
While the surface issue of the cam
paign is prohibition the lineup for the
different candidates is based chiefly on
the row over senator Bailey. The pre-
diction that the Bailey question would
be the influencing factor of the cam
paign was made several weeks ago. 1t
is stated that in all parts of the state
except the German communities of south
Texas the real question at issue is
whether a Bailey Or anti-Bailey can
didate shall be elected governor.
1t is this fact that is giving Mr..
Poindexter his unexpected strength. it
is a bone of contention between Da-
wilson and Johnson as to which shall