The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-07
TOFLOOROF STATE CONVENTION BYUNDERWOODFOB Everything Being Put in Readiness for Democratic
 Gathering in Capital GOODWIN EXPECTS A MEETING Not Believed There Will Be Any Sec ond ChOice-Much Talk Concern
 ing Temporary Chairman.
 To Return Assessments
 

Montgomery, April 6.-(Speclal. )-Entree to the floor of the state democratic con vention. which meets In Montgomery on April T. will be had by means of an Underwood fob, which will be presented to all delegates to the convention, and to all others to whom the privileges of the floor will be extended. The fob will be an attractive little souvenir, bearing on one side the photograph of Oscar w. Underwood, candidate for President of the United States and on the ob- verse side the picture of a growing roost- er-designed as a symbol of Underwood victory.
 Heretofore. tickets have been issued to those to whom the privileges of the floor have been extended, and the fob will be d novel departure from that time hon ored custom. The fob was the idea of R. Tyler Goodwin, chairman of the state democratic executive committee, who de- clares that he thinks the convention this year will demand a greater display than formerly, particularly as the delegates to the convention will be instructed to sup port an Alabamian for President The fob will therefore, serve a double pur- pose-frst it will convey to its recipient entree to the floor of the convention and it will also serve as an excellent cam paign badge.
 Everything is being put in readiness for the state convention. The conven- ton will meet in the old Montgomery theatre, on North Perry street. a build ing in which the most famous actors of the country have displayed their tall ents, and in which public speakers and national leaders have addressed audiences assembled from all parts of the state. In this historic old landmark of the city of Montgomery, the state convention will meet in. biennial session, and oscar w. Underwood will receive the indorsement of his party in Alabama.
 What the Convention Will Do
 Delegates to the national democratic convention, which meets in Baltimore in June, will be named by the state con vention. The q delegates to be named will be instructed for Underwood for President of the United States. It Is not believed that there will be any second choice. The delegates will probably not consider any other candidate. Thoroughly imbued with the idea that Underwood is the man for the national party to nom mate, and with the fixed purpose of ad- vocating his candidacy to the final ditch. the state delegates will hardly consider any other andidate-certainly none other will be openly advocated for second choice.
 Much interest Is being manifested re- gardng the personnel of the presidential delegates and it Is likely that there will be an interesting fight in the convention on the election of these men. The dele gations elected to the state convention In last Mondays primary compose some of the most representative men in Alabama, and 1t is not regarded as probable that the delegates to the Baltimore conven- ton will be chosen without various con- tests.
 Regarding the six delegates from the state at large, to which Alabama is entitled, there has been considerable discussion and various names have been mentioned in this connection. Among those who have been suggested as prob able candidates for these six offices are Governor O'Neal. Senator John H. Bank head Senator Joseph F. Johnston, F. K. Campbell of Birmingham. George L. Sullivan of Mobhc, Maj w. w. Screws of Montgomery, Tyler Goodwin of Montgomery and others prominent in public life in Alabama It Is more than probable that the choice of the convention for delegates from the state at large will fall upon several of these candidates.
 Temporary Chairman
 During the past few weeks there has been much talk concerning the tenn porary chairman of the state conven ton. Con- gressman Henry D. Clayton of Eufaula has received a large share of consideration in this connection and he has been prominently mentioned the choice of the convention for this honor. Congressman Clayton has the indorse- ment of Chairman Tyler Goodwin for the office of temporary chairman and it Is believed that MT Goodwin will sug gest his name to the state committee for recommendation to the convention.
 Others who have been mentioned for temporary chairman are Hugh Morrow of Birmingham H. & D. Mallory of Selma and Governor C'Neal, any one of whom, it is believed. would fill the office to a high degree of satisfaction
 There has been little talk concern ing the convention's permanent chair man. which fact gives color to the sug gestion that the temporary chairman will be selected to preside throughout the day. The four men who have been mentioned for the office of temporary chairman are all recognized as able presiding officers. thoroughly familiar with parliamentary ce~soms and rules, and it is believed that the convention will be presided over by one of these men.
 May Return Part of Assessments
 The state democratic executive com mittee will probably establish a pre- cedent this year by returning a DOT ton of the assessments paid by the various candidates for congressi onal and state offices. This plan is favored by Chairman Tyler o-oodwyn of the state executive committed, who de- clares that he will u-e his influence with the committee to have all the money received from assessment fees returned to candidates except what has been actually needed for expenses. According to Chairman Goodwin the assessments received from the various candidates for congressional and state offices aggregated nearly S7000, not quite half of which amount has been needed for primary ana other expenses. Chairman Goodwin believes that what money Is left after all expenses have been paid should be returned to the candidates, and he declares that he will make a recommendation to that ef- feet to the state committees
 | have not yet ta.en this matter up with the members or the executive committed" said Tyler Goodwin, but shall do so. Under the new election laws the county has to defray the eN- penses of its primary and inasmuch as there is more money in hand than is needed l shall recommend that 1t he returned to the various candidates who qualified for office to be prorated among them. I anticipate that we shall be able to return about $500
 It is believed that this action on the part of Chairman Tyler Goodwin will