davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-04-20
Southern Leaders
and the Tariff

No sensible man, certainly no one
friendly to the South, wishes to see the
tariff made sectional question. The
course of Mr.. Clark and Mr.. Under
wood tends to prevent this. They stand
not only with their own party through
out the country, but with the strong
public sentiment in support of tariff re-
duction that has divided the Republican
party, and thrown the House into the
hands OF the Democrats. When we say
that in this they arc serving their own
section, we have in mind the important
fact that they arc bringing to bear on
national affairs the intelligence and
strength of their section, and giving 1t
the opportunity to take leading part
in the affairs Of the Nation. They are
undermining the unfortunate section
alism that has. perhaps unavoidabiy,
pervadcd Southern politics for long
time. They are ranging the South on
the side of progress and in the line
of the most significant movement OF
national opinion that has manifested it
self in years. Nothing is more certain
than that our vast and intricate and
oppressive tariff system is to be
reformed, and its reform is bound to
be the one task of craftsmanship in the
next few years. 1t can be determined
and under certain conditions it can be
led bv the men of the South.-Neli
York Times, January 81, 1911.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-04-20

ton even thus early. 1t is the fact
that Mr.. Underwood is a man of South
crn birthta Representative from South
c-n State. There is a feeling, rather
than definite opinion, which finds ex-
preston more often in his own section
than in the North, and perhaps more
often in his own party than in the OPP
posite party, that this fact would be a
source of weakness if Mr.. Underwood
were named by the Democracy.
Of course, this is matter not easily
to be decided with confidence in ad-
vance. There has been no occasion for
a distinct expression of public sentiment
regarding it. 1t is a half century since
a Southern candidate for the presidency
came before the Nation, and a good
deal longer than that since one was
elected. Great events have interviewed
and left their impress on the minds
and hearts of men, the depth and di-
rcction of which TO one can surely es-
innate. Our own Judgment is that a
candidate from the South-other things
being equal-would not be weaker and
might even be the stronger for that fact
In a broad way, it may safely be said
that there is in DIR people now a sense
of tried and proved and established
nationality which might, and probably
would, welcome an opportunity for
manifesting itself. This sense of ma
tionality has grown progressively ever
since the close of the war for the
Union. 1t has been steadily strength
cncd by the conditions of Our National
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-04-20
DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP

The most salient fact connected with
the story of the bill in the present Con-
gress is the remarkable strength OF the
Democratic tactics, and the high quail
ity shown by Mr.. Underwood, the leader
of the party OH the floor The farmers
free list" bill was master stroke, and
Mr.. Underwood utilized it in The debate
with an effectiveness that left nothing 70
be desired. What gives real strength 10
the Democratic position is tia; the party
is graphing with big and difficult
question in a spirit tina: is al once
courageous and practical. Il there is to
Re IN era D: such leadership as that rep
resented 'Ay Mr.. Underwood, the term
practical politics" may be rescued from
the ignominy into which it has fallen
and recover the meaning to which it is
lcsitimately entitled-Ncav YORK Eve-
ning Post! reproduced in The Ell Dorado
Snn (Weekly), Fl Dorado Springs, Mo.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-04-20
gScsSScr@w or Axe

That with the Democratic party al
ready in power in the House, and hav-
ing visible chance Of coming into COM
plctc power in the National Govern
ncnt, it is of interest to learn from
what viewpoint the actual pilot-in-charge
Of the Democracys Legislative ship looks
at his task and by what stars he shapes
his course. =,
Arc they fixed and stcadfast lights OF
the political armament or are they mere
" those will-o'-the wisps that flame up
as paramount issues" for this year,
ONLY TO be forgotten next year? We
get a comforting light on this question
from another remark By MIR. Under
wood: -
Il think the big question is the tariff:
II is the question OF the development OF
the industries and commerce OF the
nation"
From q Democrat that is remark
well-nigh startling. 1t exhibits SUCH an
unusual viewpoint. 1t is almost like
hearing Andrew Carnegie confess that
there might be such thing as a right
cous war. Heretofore, our Democratic;
statesmen have so uniformly declared
that there was nothing to the tariff
question but stopping robbers" from
robbing.
Thew never seemed to think OF tariff
as having anything to do with the de-
veloonent OF industries and commerce.
Mr.. Underwood docs: He says we
should reduce Our tariff because with
the settlement of the West we have lett
behind the DAYS when Our home mar ct
absorbed the products Of Our factories
and left us no surplus for which we
needed to look for a market abroad.
He holds that Our industrial develop
mcnt has outstripped the increase IN
domestic demand, and that we arc pro-
ducinc. or at least have the existing ca
pacity to produce, a great surplus OF
manufactures for which we must ma
markets in other countries. therefore,
and since "wc cannot trade with other
people unless we permit them to trade
with u.s." reduce tie tariff to Z compet!!-.
tive basis-to tic Lowest rates that Will
raise the revenues ti.ar tie exlgencies
Of the Government REQUIRE.
One may agree ~ G..'~rce with that
theory of tariff-nlaHing. ere may disoe-
licve that its cffcc;5 will be develop.
rncnt of the Industries ard commerce OF
the nation" But at last it is theory
consistent with itself and processing
constructive aims and not merely clam
orng for destruction.
And its proponcnt is no doctrina;r,e
freeh from academic halls with his nod
die crammed with solutions" Of every
hing Neither is he the freak product
Of easing popular delight with tie latest
novelty among political entertainers. oe
.~hi-c~n Irtrr-Ocean. September 20
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-04-20
UNDERWOOD IN THE WEST

~ am gratifed to see this State NOV
ING onward in almost every line and I
note the wonderful growth of Birnmg-
ham, I observe that The Agc-Rerald
has kept full step with the progressive
spirit and has led in tie work.
The growing strength of Oscar On-
derwood in the minds OF the people
throughout the United States has gwen
Alabama kind of publicity that the
State could obtain in no other way:
particularly on the great question OF
the tariff, for it was not thought that
one would come out of Alabama with
its varied interests who would De
David 70 DEFY the trusts. Oscar Un-
derwood is regarded by many men as
the best equipped, clcanest, fairest man
to-day mentioned for the presidency. II
he is nominated, he will undoubtedly
win II any strong sentiment of the
South demands his election he will be
nominated Ont in Colorado, with its
thousands Of visitors from all parts
OF the United States, he is the first man
named BY most OF them The prom
inence given 10 his candidacy by the
magazines and the public press has
caused strong tide to rise which I
hope and believe will carry him to the
White House. I took much pleasure
in aiding in organizing the Underwood
Club in Denver, and it is doing good
work Internationally. "-Harry Hawkins,
of New York, in the Birmingham, .Ala
Aec-Herald, January s, 1912.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-04-20

In this mornings magazine section
of The Times our readers will find the
very interesting report Of an inquiry
BY staff correspondent into the record
and rcpute, in his own home, OF the
Hon. Oscar w. Underwood OF Ala
bama, who has recently been discussed
as a possible Democratic candidate for
the presidency. 1t is needless to say
that The Times is not concerned TO ad-
vance the interests OF any gentleman
in this direction in preference to any
other. It is concerned only in laying
before its readers such information
carefully gathered and impartially pre-.
scnted, as will aid in the formation OF
sound public opinion and a choice that
will be to the greatest advantage OF inc
Nation. -, IT,.
any party may be congratulated among
whose prominent men, to whom the
ewes of the party arc directed on the
I'VE of a presidential campaign, there
;s one with such standing among those:
who know him best rs Mr.. Underwood
has. Plainly he is man to be trusted
because he is trusted, for his integrity,
ouritv, civic courage, and ability, by his
own people. Whether, when the time
comes for a choice, he will be consid-
cred the best man is question winch
i is now too early to decide. But there
= o-n element that will enter into the
problem which may well receive atten-
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-04-20
"a Voice
From Florida

Oscar Underwood, however, has
more friends than any man mentioned
for the Democratic presidential nomi-
nation. He is more popular throughout
the country with all the Democrats than
the others. He is almost the unanimous
second choice. If you ash; the Harmon
men who they would be for in case
Harmon could not be nominated they
will say Underwood; when you ask the
Wilson men the same question as to
Wilson, they reply that if Wilson can
not be the nominee, Underwood is their
choice; and the same thing is true OF
the Champ Clari; men."-T. A. Jennings,
National Committeeman from Florida,
in the Pensacola Ea,c,ing Nc1ps, Friday
evening, January y, 1912.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-04-20
INTEGRITY, PURITY
CIVIC COURAGE AND ABILITY

life and especially by the intimate, ex-
tensive, and increasing intcrcommunl-
cation within our borders. Our people
have for forty years literally lived to-
gether, and always more and more
closely. They have gradually ceased
to think in terms of sections, and the
South is to-day no more distinct and
apart from the East or the Middle
West or the West in the minds OF those
who dwell elsewhere.
In the next place, no one under sixty
has any personal experience of the
civil conflict, and that means not mere
" that the majority but that the great
BODY of voters are without this en-
pcrience. 1t is more than quarter OF
a century since the Southern Cues
ton" entered even nominally into a
National contest. If it were raised
now by any party, and those who would
be influenced by it had to stand up
and be counted, we believe they would
be ludicrously few. On the other hand,
we arc confident that, were the issue
made, great many votcrs-cfiietiiy
among those who were most earnest IN
their loyalty in the civil war-would by
a common impulse Of generosity and Ct
sclf-rcspcct incline toward the Southern
candidate. If forced really to think OF
the matter, and 70 act on their conclu-
sions. It would seem too absurd to act
in the present on the issues long since
settled settled in their favor, and set
tied forever.-The Ncdu York Times,
November 26, 1911.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-04-20
Underwood
a Real M an

The Democrats of the House have
reason to be proud of their floor lead
er, Chairman Underwood, Of the Ways
and Means Committee. Mr.. Underwood
has given ample evidence OF the pos
session OF the qualities of mind essen
tial to the position. He has also dem
onstrated most corclusively that he is
man who cannot be cajolcd or bull
lied from the course ne considers right.
In the debate ever the Canadian rec
iprocity bill former Speaker Cannon
made the bluff that the steel trust ia
vors the enactment OF the measure
Mr. Underwood called the bluff very
effectively by producing a telegram
from his home district saying that the
United States Steel Corporation has
stopped work on important mills there,
giving as their reason that Underwood
stood in Congress advocating the tariff
reductions on steel included in this bill.
Mr. Underwood added that two years
ago the steel trust opposed his election
because of the tariff views and threat
ened to turn him out of Congress if
he voted for reductions on steel duties.
Il voted for them just the same" he
stated, "and they failed in their efforts
to turn me out OF Congress"
Underwood is every inch man, and
the people have more respect for one
such as he than for a whole battalion
of orporation-controlled stardpatters.--
The Ocala Daily Banner, Florida, April
%, 1911.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-04-20
UNDERWOOD LOOMS UP

Whether the disclaimer of Represen-
tative Oscar w. Underwood of candl-
dacy for the Democratic nomination tor
president is to stand or not, there is no
question that he is looming large and
seriously, no less at the North than at
the South, as a possibility. if not this
lime. then in the near future. Mr.;
Underwood is making a widespread and
distinctive impression, rot only as the
honest, bold, sagacious leader Of the
House majority, and not only as mas
terful Southern Democrat, but as an
American publicist and statesman-a
man of affairs and broad concept OF
his responsibility to the whole people
Richmond, Va, TimesDiSfdtch, re-
printed in the Birrninghani, Ala, Age
Herald, January p, 1872.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-04-20

His name is Oscar w. Underwood {;
his wears are on the sunshine side OF
fifty. AS chief of the Ways and Means
and chairman OF the Committee on Com
rnittees, he is Speaker Clarks right arm
in the House.
Mr.. Underwood's cry is Tariff for
revenue only!" When Mr.. Bryan, eaten
of rule-or-ruin spirit, came to wash
ineton at the beginning OF the special
session to trouble the waters OF party,
hone with an attack upon the wool Dill
as proposed by the Democrats, MT. I'm
derwood. in going after Mr.. Bryan,
stated his own tariff position. Said he:
"Thc Democratic party stands for a
tariff for revenue. The Democratic
nartv does not stand for free trade,
and do not believe the people will
be misled by the statement OF MI
Bryan"
That Mr.. Underwood is against pro-
lection, and fights it, evinces his cour-
age. He comes from the Birmingham
district in Alabama breeding ground
of protection. In Mr. Underwood's dis
trict there are nine railroads, one hun
dred and forty-cight miles of street-car
tracks, $15O0OO000 of invested indus.
tries. an annual pig-iron output OF
100000 tons, and a production OF
100000 tons of coal. The city OF
Birmingham has an annual payroll OF
5OO9OO0O. The Tennessee Coal & Iron
Company, which is a part Of the Steel
Trust, controls third of all the prod
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-04-20
ERWOOD-HOUSE LEADER
CLEAN COURAGE, HIGH HONESTY
FAITHFUL IN HIS FRIENDSHIPS

Committee, Mr.. Underwood has shown
himself to be the right man in the right
place. What advances are made by the
party in 1912 will be due largely to him.
He knows tariff in all its schedule
windings, as a man knows the, Railways
of his own house. He has wisdom. He
has temper and spirit but is neither
unreasonable nor vindictive. have
faith in the tariff thoroughness of Mi.
Underwood If I owned the revenues
of the Government, I shouldn't hesitate
to employ him as night-watchman.-
Alfred Henry Lewis, in the CosnioPol-
itan, January, 1912 =.
Mr.. Underwood is faithful in his
friendships. To those whom he casually
meets, he is afable, albeit non-com-
initial, keeping his own counsel. He is
never rude nor hard; never violent,
even with blood foes. For the stranger
within his gates his air is gentle and
frank. He is easy to see, and, speaking
generally, has been ever careful to keep
himself within the reach of all. News
paper folk, sent to Mr.. Underwood by
some stress of duty, never fail to like
him. He has his dignity, but there IS
no reserve. He maintains no distances
between himself and them. He answers
a question with a round readiness, or
says plainly that he can't answer it and
tells why. He expedites the business in
hand, and will even anticipate the pur-
pose of ones coming, and put questions
to himself.-Alfred Henry Lewis, in the
Cosmopolitan, New York, January, 1872.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-04-20

ucts of the district. One-third of all the
iron-ore holdings OF the Steel Trust are
in and around Birmingham. Surely, at
lirst glance, a bad outlook for tariff
rcformcr! And yet Mr.. Underwood
succeeds and rc-succeeds himself with
ever climbing majorities.
1t is the Underwood honesty that
does it-that, and his clean courage.
The dominant quality in Mr.. Underwood
is honesty, and folk have found it out.
Honesty is among the scarcest of earth
ly commodities, and when community
has discovered it in the possession of
an individual, it guards it and works it
like gold-mine for every final ounce.
Mr.. Underwood is honest: His cleo
ton was not the work of money. He
was not chosen as either the pet Of the
railroads or the first-born of the trusts.
His seat was given him by the people,
and because they believed he would fill
it to the best of public advantage.
This emanation of the popular gives
Mr.. Underwood the House high ground,
and he is so far military in his genius
that he knows how to fortify and hold
it. From his place as peoples repre-
sentative, he can overstare and keep IN
check the Paynes and the Dalzells and
the Crunpackers, who are present mere.
" by the grace of pirate money, and
dwell, therefore, on House levels much
lower than his own.-Alfred Henry
Lewis in the Cosmopolitan, New York,
January, 1912.
X 4
AS the head of the Ways and Means
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-04-20
q Southern PreSj-
dental Possibility

In the mention of Oscar w. Under
wood, of Alabama, for the Democratic
Presidential nomination resides a good
deal more than suggestion that we
have got too far away from the Civil
War era to regard statesman as nee
essarilv unavailable" because he comes
from a commonwealth that was MEM
Der of the Southern Confederacy
OF the men now before the country
IS possible or probable Democratic
candidates for the Presidency, Under
wood is certainly one of the strongest.
He has Fad iinc training IN Congress,
and is in himself a man of natural force
and large capacity for work-and work
ers are what we want in executive posi-
tons. eIc has been member of the
House oi Representatives for some MT
teen wears, and has risen by force of
merit, and nothing but merit, to posi-
ton which made it inevitable that he
should be Chairman of the Committee
on WAYS and Means when the Demo
Gratis came into control OF the popular
Branch OF the Government. lie has the
youth, the environment, the enthusiasm,
the courage the political sagacity, and
the statesmanly qualities fully to Justify
his consideration in connection with the
Presidential nomination.
Mr.. Underwood is conservative man,
who is capable of entertaining pro.
pressive ideals and at the same time OF
realizing fully the duty and the nc
cessitv for conserving substantial inter-
ests of the community. The Democratic
party might go farther and do vastly
worse than if it should nominate him
as its standard-bcarer of l9lZ.-Man-
sev's MagaSinc, January, 1872.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-04-20
UNDERWOOD
AND THE PAPERS

The careful reader of the newspapers
is surprised at one notable feature of
the papers from practically every Sec
ton Of the country. This feature is the
general notice nd attention paid to Con-
gresham Oscar Underwood as candi-
date for the Democratic presidential
nomination, and the uniform praise
which invariably accompanies the men
tio:. Of him and his candidacy. This is
all the more surprising because Mr. I'm
dcrwood maintains no press bureau. On
the other hand, prominent candidates
for the Democratic nomination like Gov
ernor Harmon of Ohio, Governor VIII
son of New Jersey and Speaker Clark
of Missouri. maintain large and active
bureaus, which are continually sending
out campaign literature to the papers
Of the country.
Notwithstanding this, at the present
time Mr.. Underwood is receiving more
attention than any other, We might say
any other two, presidential candidates
combined. The attitude OF the votcrs
towards Mr.. Underwood may be doubted
until that attitude is made clear in an
election, but it cannot be doubted that
his record and his strong personality
are admired by the newspapers of the
country. For now he is receiving more
free ard favorable advertising than any
other public man of the country
Montgomery (Alabama) Advertiser,
January S, 1912.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-04-20
Underwood Among
1912 Possibilities

The threatened breakdown Of Ma
iority Leader Underwood as 4 result OF
long hours of hard work on the tariff
in the WAYS and Means Committee, put
many Democrat in nervous state OF
mind. There developed suddenly fu!!
appreciation OF the worth OF the Ala
banla Congressman as leader. For
Mr.. Underwood to become disabled Or
10 be removed from the scene OF MS
usefulness at this critical time would be
like pulling a corner post out from
under platform on which was heaped
most OF the political treasures OF the
party, Democrats quite generally are
willing to admit.
Credit for the achievements Of tho
Democratic House bearing the stamp Of
constructive craftsmanship is given
readily to the majority leader. Due 70
his success as a legislative manager--his
ability in most tests TO keep tho House
Democracy unitcd-and the fact that
Civil War wounds have been allowed 10
heal because OF the scarcity Of publ:
men of the type Of Senator Hepburn,
Of Idaho, Souti.crncr is being, Sc
riously considered Nor:h and South as
presidential material. The Underwood
ior-Ircsident movement tas been at
ling volunteer workers steadily
since last spring, when the ncwiyl-in-
stalled Democratic House assumed its
responsibilities. An Underwood boom
for the Democratic nomination tor
President put on long trousers at the
beginning OF this, the national campaign
year.-Austin Cunningham, in the San
antonio Express, January ), 1912.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-04-20
PRACTICAL DEMOCRAT

St. Louis honors Oscar W. Under
wood for his character. for his achieve
,nents and for his Democracy.
The Chairman Of the Ways and Means
Committee is practical Democrat. His
leadership in the House OF Representa-
tivcs shows that. Ee possesses the
ability to enlist men Of varying ideas,
plans and moods in support of desirable
and feasible objects. Men who agree
on basic principles may be involved in
bitter hostility by antagonsms which IN
their essence amount to little.
Mr.. Undcrwood's example as leader
of Democrats in Congress is worthy OF
emulation elsewhere. 1t makes for toll
erance. Tolerance makes Tor unity.
Unity makes for progress. There IS no
other way to render Democracy ct
fective. :.
The young Democrats OF St. Louis
who persuaded Mr.. Underwood to be-
come their guest will find il, his. policy
as well as his principles the best hope
OF party achievement and party life
The ST. Louis Republic, October II,
1911.