The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-12
Taft's Henchmen IndOrsed and the President Repu-
 diated by Party
UNDERWOOD LEADERS
 MUCH ENCOURAGED
Result Shows Wilson Not So Strong as Claimed-Democrati Leader Believes New York Will Go
 to Oscar Underwood
Ky WALTER HARPER

Washington. April 11-Cspecial.) )-New l angles to the Illinois primaries are discovered as the politicians and obse | recover their senses sufficiently to alyze the situation One of the
 striking features that has develops
 the apparent inconsistency of the re | lican voters in turning down Taft, VT some of his staunchest supporters ir House are given even stronger sur
 than in former elections.
 Taft. Mckinley and Mann
 Take, for instance. that ilustrious tza, Cannon, Mckinley and Mann. They v all renominated, Cannon by much la
 majority than two years ago. Ye i, these same three districts Mir. Taft IS re- pudiated by the voters.
 The lnsurgent republican members of the House for months have been open in | their denunciation of these three stand- pat members, while at the same time they have been inclined to overlook the ex- cusable weakness of the President. The indorsement of the standpat congressman by republicans who repudiate Taft is one of the apparent inconsistencies that is hard to understand. The repudiation of all the Lorimer influences in both parties is looked upon with great significance by the politicians of both parties in Wash ngton. The Lormer case has not been finally disposed of in the United states Senate and the result in the Illinois pri- maries will probably have some bearing on the fight that is yet to come up in that body.
 Two Great Truths
 But the result in Illinois and the autici- pated result in Pennsylvania Saturday. where Roosevelt is expected to carry a majority of the delegates demonstrates two great truths that are of special in- terest to leaders in both parties. That Is. that Taft is as weak as the democrats lhave believed and Roosevelt is stronger than anyone but himself and a few | friends could believe. These facts bring about a condition that is exceedingly gratifying to the democrats. Taft will get the nomination of his party, but the split in the party will be so broad that he can never win. The Roosevelt faction will not bolt bodily, but thousands Of his follow CTS will either stay at home on the day of the election in November or they will vote for the democratic nominee. And that is not all Many people who favor the nomination of Mir Taft over Mr. Roosevelt will remain away from the polls or vote for a good democrat
 The nominations of MT. Roosevelt by any sort of chance would not save the party at this time.
 Underwood Followers Encouraged
 The conservative followers of oscar I'n- IL. ,l,sa,, ant in a Underwood stock in the Illinois and other movements. The defeat of Wilson in fiii- nois shows that that candidate is not as strong as his friends have claimed. Clark's success in that state is looked upon as a great encouragement by the Underwood people
 The democratic chairman of one of the most important committees Of the House said today: rThe result in Illinois, where Wilson was decisively defeated by Champ Clark, should be of great encouragement to the friends of Oscar Underwood 1t has been proven that Wilson cannot pos siby carry enough support to the con- ventlon to nominate him on the first bal lot
 While Champ Clark Is developing fine strength. 1t will be just as impossible for him to have a two-thirds majority in tho convention It is indicated that the New York democrats will instruct for Mayor Gaynor Underwood will have large bunch of delegates from the south Other favorite sons will have their home dele- cations and Harmon will have scattered delegates from a number of states over the country This scattered strength VIII represent the balance of power.
 Clark and Wilson may enter the con- vention with the largest initial strength. but when New York votes for oscar Un- derwood on the second ballot it will b.
 leI,r ff,t,a xxrlf,g aaF didates have been eliminated to follow.
 oscar Underwood charces for the nomination are better today than ever before. and 1t is my opinion that he will get the nomination