The Washington times., 1911-09-12
BAILEY MOVE SEEN
AS HELP TO WILSON
BOON IN THE SOUTH
Texas Senator's Withdrawal
Takes Strong Support
From Harmon.
By JUDsoN C. wELLryER

With the withdrawal OF Joseph W.
Bailey from the Senatoriaf race In
Texas, stock in the Woodrow Wilson
Presidential boom has gone up at a
rate that has startled even the mos.
enthusiastic supporters OF the Jersey
governor.
Mr.. Bailey was regarded as the man
who would provide the biggest single
increment of brains and management
at the back of the Harmon movement
in the South. But his colleague and
dearest enemy, Senator Culberson, turn
ed trick on Bailey just after the ses-
sion of Congress ended that left, the
ition, and not impossibly aided in de-
Gliding Bailey not to be a candidate
again for the Senate.
Senator Culberson went home and IS
sued a statement favoring a Presi-
dental primary, in which all Democrats
should have opportunity to declare dl-
rectly their choice for President, and
instruct their delegates. This was ex-
actly the thing the Wilson people fav-
ored. and the Harmon people did not
want.
Liked Idea.
Apparently, the Texas Democrats liked
IT, for expressions have been given By
the dominating elements in the Demo-
cratic State committee favoring the
Culberson plan. A meeting of the State
committee Is shortly to be held, at
which the details will be arranged, and
the primary ordered.
Net Texas alone, but several other
States in the South, are already feeling
the effect Of this move. The Presidential
primary idea Is very popular save with
the organization politicians, and most Of
these dislike to oppose 1t lest they Of
fend their constituents. Oklahoma Is
going to try out the same plan. Sena-
tor Owen, who Is making a hard CAM
2aiGn for Senatorial reelection against
former Gov. Charles N. Haskell, haR
come out squarely against Harmon.
Haskell was running strong until he
allowed the story to get abroad that
he liked Harmon better than anybody
else in the field fhis brought. matters
up with q round turn. The owen forces
are for the Presidential primary, and
the Haskell force has been melting
away because of the suspicion that Has
kail-a former Ohioan, Incidentally
represents the Harmon plan for cap
Arkansas and Tennessee have caught
the same fever. The masses of Demo-
Gratis in both States are represented to
be against Harmon Arkansas con-
hood sentiment inclines 1t toward
Champ Clark. Much the same is true
of Oklahoma, but neither Arkansas nor
Oklahoma looks with any favor at all
on Harmon. The Wilson people insist
that all they ask is fair expression Of
the popular voice, through the Presi-
Dental primary.
Favored In Georgia.
In Georgia there has been serious
to have Hoke Smith put q
primary law through his
Legislature, which IS now in session.
this shall prove feasible, it is
promised that the Smith forces will
favor some sort of primary expression
that will give the mass of voters a
chance to express their opinion as a
guide to the Georgia delegates in the .
convention.
From Oregon comes the report, also,
that the Wilson movement is lately
gaining ground there. oregon has been
the habitation of stronger sentiment
for Joseph w. Folk than could be dis
covered in any other state, not even ex-
cepting Missouri. Folk long ago and
committed himself to the
radical Oregon reform measures. in
itiative, referendum, and recall.
He has been a good deal in the State,
Is widely acquainted, his reform work
in Missouri was widely advertised there.
and he has been giving the Wilson
people real worry.
Recently, however. the Oregon people
have been brought to understand that
Folk is hopelessly out of 1t; that he
cannot get his home State away from
Clark, and that II would be merely a
sorry bit Of humor for Oregon to at
tach itself to the tail of his kite. Con-
vinced Of this, the Oregon Democracy
Is reported to be lined up behind WIZ