El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1912-07-13
HAS
CHANCE To BE
Defeated
Ramsey Men May Ride on
the Wilson Wave that
Has Hit the State.
JOHNSON TRIED
TO DUMP WILSON

Austin, Texas, July 13.-No question
is arousing more interest among the
Democrats of Texas just at this time
than what possible effect the nominal
ton of Woodrow Wilson may have
upon the campaign for governor. 1t ?
is claimed by the supporters of W. F.
Ramsey, who is the opponent Of gov
ernor o. B. Colquitt for the nomination
at the primaries to be held July %.
that the result of the Baltimore con-
ventiOn forecasts the Overwhelming de-
feat Of the states present chief execu-
tive. Colquitt belongs to the reaction
airy element Of Democratic politics in
Texas. while Ramsey is one of the
leaders of the progressive faction
which now seems to be in the saddle.
As an evidence Of how the lines were
drawn with reference to Wilson and
the candidates for governor, it is
pointed out that of the 40 Wilson dele .
gates who represented Texas in the
recent national convention, SO are sup
porterS OF Ramsey and one OF Coll
quitt.l This is the way the delegation
stood, according to a poll that was
taken OF it in Baltimore and wired back
to Texas These delegates, represent
ing as they do every part of the state,
political influence in their respective
sections, but IT is said they will, dur
ing the remainder OF the state cam
paign, use their best efforts towards
promoting the candidacy of Ramsey.
Ramsey Benefited.
Some Of the more enthusiastic Ram
Sey men who hold the view that the
candidate has been greatly benefited
by the victory Of the prOgressives at
Baltimore, assert that the nomination
Of Wilson means a loss. Of not less
than $4,000 votes to COlquitt Another
thing that is expected to benefit Ram
sey in the primaries is that the Demo-
cratic electoral ticket will be upon the
ballot At least, according to q ruling
made recently by one of the assistant
attorney generals it is deemed proper
and advisable that the name Of the
electors should be submitted in the
primaries.
Naturally, the Ramsey. contingent, all
over Texas, and they snOw are in the
ascendancy of political power are
making the most of the national proA
the loud cry that the fight should be
made all down the line.
Drive radicalism and bOssism out OF
Texas" they say.
Col. -JOhnsOn's Trap.
Campaign material in behalf of Ram
sey is also being made of the fact that
Col R NJ Johnston. the retiring state
Democratic committeeman from Texas.
l.
more by which he hoped, as a strong
antagonist of Wilson, to break the solid
phaIanx Of the Texas delegation in the
support of that candidate. According
TO published reports Mr.. Johnston.
when the fact became apparent that
Harmon was out of the running. aD-
peared before the Texas delegation and
urged II to change its vote from Will
son TO CulbersOn, telling them that II
such was done the senior senator from
Texas stood a good chance of receiving,
the nomination. It does not take much
OF political expert to see what might
have happened had the Texas deIega-
ton listened to his advice The break
ing away from Wilson BY the Texans
not only might have, but it very prob
ably would have, caused a general
slump In the Wilson vote and his nouf-
nation would have gone by the board
The Texas delegates to the Baltimore
convention, since their return home
are more impressed than ever with the
real purpose Of the trap which Col.
johnston attempted to lead them into.
The ReaetiOnaries DOUned.
Johnston is one of the CoIduitt Lead
ers- He is a reactiOnary OF the old
type. He is one of the men who lost
out IN the recent Houston convention
where the old guard was relegated
from the front ranks to political Obliv-
lon by the Oyerpowering strength OF
the new progressive element that held
-uu sway there and which carried out
the wishes of the people in sending r
solid wilson delegation to the national.
There are various other reasons
given why the men who believe in the
new political power that is behind the
nomination of Wilson should be placed
N control Of the state organization
rom governor down and the argument
nat is being made along these lines is
having a telling effect, it is said, upon
thousands of COlquitt supporters. 1t is
claimed that the growth of this pro-
5reSsive sentiment is particularly
aIlinS off in the vote for Colquitt as
compared with that given him two
Iears ago will be enormous, even in
he strongest of the anti-prohibitiOn
.ounties.
Republicans Factor.
Another factor that is expected to
weaken Colquitts strength is the prob
bInty that thousands of German Re
,ubl1cans. who participated in the
democratic primaries two years ago
ecause the prohibition question was a
lrect issue, viii not vote in them this
ear. From now on until the day OF
ne primaries, the campaign for gov
rnor will be waged with increased in
ensity.
According to announcement made
rom Ramsey headquarters many
peakers Will be placed in the field in
is interest within the next few days,
nd every county in the state viii be
thoroughly canvassed.
The managers of, COlquitts cam
align are using every effort to get
len of political prominence to take
he stump in his behalf. but so far,
title success has been met with. Up
o this time the principal COlquitt ora
Or is secretary of state c. c. McDon-
Id, who has spent very little time in
is office for several weeks