El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1912-12-21

By ". D. HOrnaday.

Austin, Tex. Dec. elf the persist
ent report that senator Joseph W.
Bailey will submit his resignation to
governor o. B. COIquitt early next
month proves correct, one Of the first
things which the legislature will have
before it when it cOnvenes in regular
session January 9, will be the election
Of someone to fill the vacancy until
March 4 Whoever is thus hOnOred will
enjoy but a brief period Of distinction
unless the favored one should be Nor
Tis Sheppard, the senatOr-nOm1neey
whose election by the legislature viii
take place early in the coming ses-
sion. Mr.. Sheppard's regular term as
senator will begin March 4
In explanation of the delay Of sena-
tor Bailey in carrying out his 1nten-
ton of resigning, to which he gave
expression to q number OF his close
political friends in Texas, a few weeks
ago. it is stated that he has been
waiting to see if a majority OF the leg
islatUre would confirm the proposed
appointment of R. NJ Johnston, Of
Houston, to the prospective vacancy.
Governor COlquitt publicly announced
when the report of Ba1leyS con-
templated resignation recently became
current that II event OF SuCh action
on the part Of the junior senator, he
would name Mr. Johnston to the office.
Mr. Bailey, however declined to carry
out his part OF the program until
pledges had been received from a ma
jOrity of the senators and represen-
tatiyes that they would confirm the
governors appointment Of Mr. Johns
ton
1t is known that many Of the leg
islatOrs favor the election Of Mr..
Sheppard to the unexpired term
should Mr.. Bailey vaCate his seat Ever
since Bailey signified his intention II
quitting the senate in advance Of the
expiration Of his regular term, pO-
litical emissaries Of Mr.. Johnston have
been busy trying to obtain the neces-
sary number of pledges from members
Of the legislature to insure his cleo
ton It is said that special pleas that
he be given this recognition at the
hands of the Democratic party were
made and that the campaign for votes
has finally won over enough OF the
opposition members to insure him a
majority on joint ballot
BaIIey's Resignation.
According 20 the political program
as now understood here, Mr. Bailey's
resignation viii reach the governor
on or about January L The governor
will Immediately announce the ap-s
pOintment of Mr.. Johnston to the va,
cancy- On January 16, the matter OF
elecung a successor to Mr.. Bailey
both for the uneXpired and regular
terms will come before the legislature
Mr.. Johnston and Mr.. Sheppard win
be nominated for the unexpired term,
with the chances in favor of the form
er'S election. Mr.. ShepDs rd's election:
for the fun term will then take place
He was nominated for the office in
the Democratic preferential primaries
last July.
Mr.. Johnston's alignment with the
anti-prOhibiuOn faction of the Demo-
cratic party and his strong endorse
ment Of Mr.. Baney's political course
have made him many enemies among
the dry and anti-Baney elements OF
the party and his election to the
senate, even though the term Of ser
vice be ever SO short will not be &C
cOmplished without strong protest on
the part Of those who are opposed to
him. When it comes 10 the party's
national affairs he is outside of the
breastwOrks- He bitterly opposed the
nOmipatiOn of Woodrow Wilson for
president before the Baltimore con-
YentiOn, and ii is known by men who
are close to him that he has not
his opinion Of the New Jersey
governor since the election. He will
have no voice in the disposition Of
public patronage in Texas, even should
he be sent to Washington to perform
for a few weeks upon the senatorial
stage.
The SpeakeFsnip Fight
Next to the question Of who shall
be elected to fill the uneXpired term
of senator Bailey. should he resign,
public interest in the proceedings Of
the next legislature is centered in tne
speakership contest The candidates
for this office are Chester Terrell, Of
Bexar county; T. D. Roweu. of Marion
CONTINUED on next page.)