The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-11-17
Thought This City Had
Gone For Roosevelt In
the Recent Election
COMMERCE COURT is
FACING SURE DEATH
Democrats Have No Love for 1t and
1t Will Likely Go Out of Ex-
istence March 4-0ther
Washington Gossip
BY C. q. STEWART

washington, November 16.-(Speclal.)-
In some way William ]. Bryan got the
Idea that Birmingham went for Roose-
velt. did Birmingham go against Will
son?'' said Mr. Bryan. Il was told that
when about half of the city vote had been
counted that Roosevelt was leading by
about 100 votes" Mr.. Bryan seemed
quite relieved when he was told that Bir-
mingham went for Wilson by a majority
of over 5000 votes, and Jefferson county
| By over 4aS0 votes. II was pointed out to
him that Roosevelt led Taft in the city
by about 700 votes. and he said that was
where he probably got the idea.
Mr.. Bryan will not discuss the possi-
bility of his connection with the Wilson
administration in any way. He declines
to make any comment upon the reports
that he will be offered the post of the
| secretary of state, and says that he is
perfectly content that others have all
the pleasure Of forming Governor Will
sons cabinet
He is, however, more communicative
upon other subjects. He fayors a law
calling Congress in session Immediately
after the inauguration of the President
for each succeeding administration. He
believes that the sooner a new admins
tration gets to work on legislation that
it has proposed. and for the enactment
! of which the people have shown favor,
the better
Will Be Free With Advice
1t is quite evident that it is the Com
moner's intention to be very free with his
| advice TO the administration. whether
he participates with it in an active way
or not. There are many innovations that
he would like introduced, and he will not
be slow in urging them upon the Presi-
dent and Congress. He is in favor of
admitting all former Presidents and Vice
Presidents. and former speakers of the
house of representatives to the floors of
the two houses of Congress with the priv
ilege of debate. but not that of voting
upon pending measures. He does not,
however, favor paying them for this priv
| ilege, as it is to be simply a privilege.
| He thinks. though, that the country
might be benefited by thus utilizing
their experience and accumulated in
| formation" and that 1t would afford
them "a dignified means of keeping in
communication with the public"
| This idea of Mr.. Bryans is not likely
to be accepted with any very great en-
thusiasm. it is believed here, by Congress.
Teddy on the floor of the House or the
| Senate, whether he could vote or not,
| is not a realization that is calculated to
| set many members wild with joy. He
can kick up big enough rumps at long
| range to suit most of the members, and
If he was allowed to run around loose
in the capitol no one would feel safe.
This idea of Mr.. Bryan's If it were to De-
come a law, would allow Colonel Roose-
welt and President Taft after the 4th of
March. and former Speaker Joe Cannon
| and former Vice President Adlai E. Ste
venson, Chas. w. Fairbanks and Levi
P. Morton seats either In the House or
the Senate, or both.
No Opposition to Clark
There will be no opposition to the re-
election of Champ Clark to the speaker
ship. Representative Henry of Texas.
who entertained an ambition to be speak
err, and from whom the only opposition
to Mr.. Clark was expected, declares he
will not be candidate. Mr.. henry was
strong pre-convention Wilson man, anu
IL was Thought LOT d Wfill6 lndL ne WOQlQ
use this fact and the fact that he is very
close to the Presldent-elect as a basis
for making his fight for the speakership.
Mr.. Bryan, however, favors Clark. and
the members of the House almost to a
man are for the Missourian, and while
| Mr.. Henry says that he has received
| requests from all parts of the country
urging him to become a candidate, he
will not do so, because unity of action
| u hanever nossible should be the first am
bition of all good democrats. Governor
| Wilson and those acting with him cannot
| afford to begin the administration with
| a factional contest against the present
speaker. Whatever our personal ambi-
| tions they should now be subordinated
| to the good of the democratic party and
the peoples cause" Which on the whole,
and considering that Representative Hen
| ny could possibly muster dozen votes
| against Speaker Clark, is very harmo-
NOUS and patriotic view to take of it.
Death Ahead for Commerce Court