Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-04-26
IKE NOTE. GEORGLAMSI

politicians have calculated securing Alabama's
Complimentary vote for Congressman Underwood
and then, at the decisive moment of the Baltimore
convention. delivering the states support bodily to
an anti-wilson candidate of their particular choice,
who might stand some chance of being nominated
AT no stage of their design, have they seriously
sidered Mr. Underwood himself as a possible nomi-
nee. They have simply used him a handy instru-
ment to divert divide the Souths natural fealty
to Woodrow Wilson. Long ago they realized that as
among Harmon and Clark and Wilson, Alabamians
would be overwhelmingly for the last named there
FORE as the one and only means of conserving their
end these politicians launched 'favorite son" cam
paign Apparently, this rather a cunning stroke;
for as they figured if they could get the states
support away from Wilson, they could keep it away
from him; they could work the Underwood ruse up
to a certain point and then, with the delegation
snugIy in their pocket, proceed to bargain as their
own interests directed
But as Scotlands plow-boy bard long ago re-
minded us
"The best laid schemes of mice and men
Gang aft d-0Iey."
And especially is thus true Of just such clever
plots as these particular politicians have spun. They
have awakened to find that despite all their maneu
vering the AIabdmG delegation t0iH Uote for Wood
ron Wilson on the first opportunity they can fairly
do so; and such an opportunity, it may be added,
tOiH undoubtedly arise.
It is thoroughly established and unchallenged
fact that majority of the delegates selected to cast
Alabamas twenty-four votes in the National Conven-
ton are staneh supporters Of Governor Wilson, as
against Harmon or Clark, and that when they have
fulfilled their obligations by giving complimentary
ballots to Congressman Underwood and his name is
withdrawn as undoubtedly it will be, they will swing
to the Wilson ranks. And thus the very state in
which the Fictitious Underwood candidacy originated,
will join ardently with the remainder of the South
and the remainder of the Union in nominating the
one real Ieader-Woodrow Wilson 51si
This is not a matter of hearsay surmise. 1t is
simply a condition which everyone conversant with
the sentiment and purpose of the Alabama delegates
knows to exist The situation clearly set forth
in last Thursdays issue of the Montgomery Times,
as follows: ~, aeE
Wilson delegates tcere about lehat toent
through yesterday at the meeting of the state
convention There. is no t0Gy of getting around
it. There l0ere yeIIs and pdndemoniun1 and
Jesse StdIlings tried his utmost to undermine
the Governor NVjlsonJ, but tdiEed The loyal
acre there and those 10ho l0dnted to the
AIdbamidR get the Uote of his adopted state
stood By him, but they kneto at the time that
he had no chance. As the matter stands
there are forty-eight delegates from this state,
and all for Underwood as long as he is In the
race. And then, the Jump i0iI be into the VIII
son camp"
The people of Alabama would naturally be very
proud to their own congressman the Democratic
nominee Likewise the states delegates to the Ma
tional Convention are cordially pleased compli-
ment him with their votes in the preliminary stages
of the convention; and, if he we're truly candidate
and had a chance of winning the nomination, they
would stand by him to the end.
But Alabamians are no more willing than Geor-
gans that their influence in the convention shall be
pocketed by political clique and used to serve the
selfish ends of such Interests. In Alabamas presi
Dental primary, held April the first Congressman
Underwood's the only name that appeared on the
ballot The voters denied the right of express
ing an alternate choice Had they been given this
right they would unquestonably have declared Will
to be their preference after Underwood. No
perceived this keenly than the politicians to
whom have referred. Accordingly. they strove
by hook crook to eliminate Wilson from oonsidera
ton. His name was kept from the ballot and it
was planned that it should be kept utterly from the
state convention and the minds of the ehosensdele
gates But 1t just here that the people and the
politicians parted company just here that the true
mettle and determination of the Alamaba delegates
became evident and overpowering.
Our good neighbors are willing enough to pay Mr.
Underwood the tribute of first, second or third
ballot at Baltimore; and, as have said, if they
thought he had chance of the nomination, they
would stick to his cause. But they not willing
that their votes shall be bundled together and traf
feed by political ring that has interest in Mr..
Underwoods candidacy, that does not dream of his
being nominated and that is merely using him a
mask for their own design.
And So when these delegates have discharged their
duty to Alabama's nominal candidate and to the
really important business before themthat Of choos
ing a who will make the, best nominee and the
best presdent-they will vote virtually unit for
Woodrow Wilson. 4.@Et .,asF {,
The Democrats Of Georgia will do we'll to reflect
this situations for the Interests that sought to
entrap Aabamas vote have laid their snares in this
state WELL They trying to wheedle us into
a hoax which Alabamas Democracy has already de-
tected and set at naught. They asking us to