The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-06-12
WHO WILL PRESENT UNDERWOOD s NAME Question of Nominating Speech Arouses Interest NAMES SUGGESTED Not Yet Definitely Settled Who will Have Honor of Nominating
 Alabama's Candidate at
 Baltimore
By HUGH W. ROBERTS


 The man who nominates Oscar W. Un- derwood in the Baltimore convention will in all probability make history.
 By no manner of means has 1t been def initely decided to whom this honor will fall But the man, whoever he might be. has been discussed for sometime. At the present moment the proposition Is prov ing an exceptionally live wire.
 Congressman Thomas J. Helfn has been suggested. So has Congressman Henry D. Clayton Much consideration has been given to Governor O'Neal Alabamians in private life have been deemed worthy. Judge William w. Brandon has been reck- oned with. Perry Thomas, John A. Rog- CTS. Joseph J, Willett, Robert N. Bell and others have been given thought
 There is little doubt but that the ma jority of those who have discussed the proposition favor Congressman Heflin. He has the appearance and he has the voice. There are others, however, who fear that the intensely southern temperament of the congressman would arouse sectional feel ing against Underwood were that speaker to nominate the Alabamian. The Boston Transcript has identical fears. Whether O. not this fact will cause public opinion to swerve remains to be seen.
 On account of his powerful voice, Con- gressman Clayton is popular with those who ardently desire that Mir. Underwood be properly presented. However, should Congressman Clayton be made temporary chairman of the convention he could not nominate Underwood. Governor O'Neal hns the presence and has the ability to make the speech. The fear is expressed ! in regard to ONeal, however, that he has not the strength of voice sufficient to drive his remarks Into every corner of the convention hall
 Tn Birmingham, Robert N Bell is said to be the very man. Apparently, he has every requisite. He has the appearance and the voice. He has the experience in speechmaklng.
 Were the honor thrust upon him, how ever, he might hesitate before accepting He does not relish the idea of appearing in a Prince Albert coat He declares that garment would take him too far from home.
 In favor of MT. Bell, however, another argument is advanced. He is of tho type of the original southerner. He is of the cast of Andrew Jackson. He has the build of an Abraham Lincoln.
 
 Of course the man who makes the speech will not be troubled to the extent of preparing it. The honor will be great | because the occasion is great. But the i effort will not require a superabundance Of originality It is certain that the speech of nomination will be prepared by q com- mittee of MT. Underwood's warmest per- sonal and political friends. and that the man with the voice and the presence will 1 be used as if he were machine The matter is of interest however, be- cause the time is short A selection will be made. 1t Is thought, within the next few days.
 Inasmuch as a result of his steam roll CT" it is reasonably safe to predict the nomination of William Howard Taft it Is a practical certainty that Elihu Root will be the chairman of the republican conven- ton.
 The man who will preside over the dem ocrats at Baltimore, however Is doubt full Senator OGorman of New York perhaps stands the best chance There has been considerable discussion concern l ine Representative Henry of Texas And at the present time Henry D. Clayton of Alabama is receiving favorable mention
 
 MT. Clayton was chairman of the demo- cratic convention at Denver in 1908 He made an excellent presiding officer Alabanians naturally would be delighted were he chosen.
 And he Is a staunch friend of Under wood. O'Gorman, however, Is not un- friendly, and despite recent clashes be- tween the Alabamian and the Texan, Rep resentative Henry is not considered an