Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-04-02
KENTUCKIANS DEAL
ALL HIS ASPIRATIONS
A HARD BODY BLOW
Friends Where He Was Born
Concede That He Cannot
Hope to Beat Woodrow
Wilson
By RALPH SMITH.


WASHINGTON, d. c., March SO.-The
body blow to the presidential aspira-
lions Of Congressman oscar w. Under
wood. of Alabama, by rejecting his can
didacy. His friends have turned to
Speaker Clark, merging with the sup
porters of Governor Harmon, of Ohio,
in the hope Of keeping Woodrow Will
son from winning the Kentucky dele
cation to the Baltimore convention.
Congressman Underwood is native
son of Kentucky. He was born in Louis
willie and spent his boyhood in the Blue
Grass state before moving to Minnesota;
where he remained until 1884. when he
settled at Birmingham, Ala, and there
by qualified as simon pure son of the
south. 1t was believed of course that
Mr.. Underwood would have the indorse-
ment and unanimous support OF the
Democrats of his native state and the
rejection of his candidacy in Kentucky
has come as a great surprise.
Mr.. Underwood has accepted the situ-
alton in Kentucky with dignity and COM
placency and will make no further con-
test for the delegates. He is perfectly
willing that his friends shall support
Speaker Clark if by so doing Woodrow
Wilson may be deprived of the delega-
ton.
The situation in Kentucky is unusual
and significant; it is unusual in that
seldom it happens that a southern state
rejects the candidacy of a native son,
and it is significant as furnishing fur.
ming together like brothers" in the hope
Their proof of the contention that Har-
mon, Clark and Underwood are run
of beating Wilson for the nomination.
When Mr.. Underwood consented to be-
come a candidate for the presidential
nomination it was taken as a matter of
course that his friends in Kentucky,
the state of his birth and boyhood,
would rally to his support.
All might have gone well, had not
Gov. Woodrow wilson's name been be-
fore the Democrats of Kentucky. Large
numbers of these Kentuckians thought
so we'll of him that they refused to be
diverted by Mr.. Underwood's candidacy.
The Kentuckians wanted a southern can
didate all right enough, but they wanted
southern candidate who had some
chance of nomination and election.
Wherefore. the Kentucky Democrats
decided that woodrow Wilson filled the
Kentucky and addressed the legislature;
this strengthened him, and when the
Underwood people. becoming alarmed.
tried to perfect an organization they
found II useless.
Governor Harmon, of Ohio, who halls
from and rules Kentuckys sister state
Just as Mr. Underwood halls from
Georgia's sister state of Alabama, was
trotted out as the next best man to beat
Wilson in Kentucky, but Governor Har-
mons candidacy made no Roadway.
The "son-of-a-sister-state" racket didn't
get very far I'm Kentucky.
In the meantime, Col Henry Waiter
son. becoming much alarmed over the
strength of Wilson, re-opened fire on the
Jersey executive, and persons who know
Kentucky politics will understand why
Colonel Watterson's attacks strength
ened Wilson some more.
WHERE CLARK GOT ON.
Speaker Clark entered the game here.
He, too. is a son of Kentucky, and has
stumped the state in many campaigns.
He has a large personal following; and
his leadership Of the house made 1t pos
sible for him to command the support
of Senator-elect o. ]. James, one of the
strongest men in tn estate. Mr.. James
has just recently declared for Speaker
Clark, although he served on the ways
and means committee with Mr.. Under
wood; Mr.. James is a sagacious politi
clan, and he may pull Clark through
Kentucky over Governor Wilson, but he
has a fight.
WILSON IN THE LEAD.
Just at present Governor Wilson has
the better of IT, His friends are demand
ing a May convention for the election Of
delegates to Baltimore and the Clark
people are insisting on delaying the con-
vention until June Is, only eight days
before the national convention meets.
The Clark people realize that they are
beaten as things stand today, but they
are hopeful that If action is deferred
until the middle of June, they may be
able to overcome Wilson's lead.
Former Governor Beckham is manag-
ing Governor Wilson's campaign in Ken
lucky.