The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-12
Of Current Interest and Other7vise
By A MAN OF LEISURE

or third ballot New Yorl's delegation o1 90 would come to him, and following New York would be other eastern states. Then would come the whole south to Under wood.
 The final ballot will probably run about this way: For Underwood, the solid south 372, New York 90, Connecticut IA, Rhode Island 10, Pennsylvania 76, Ohio 4s, In diana 30, Illinois 5s and Minnesota "A These total 722, 14 more than enough to nominate.
 Yes, MT. Bryan will fight Underwod. Il 1 looks to me as if the Nebraskan were soheming for the nomination himself, bu' | an effort on his part in that direction | would be ridiculous in view of what has l happened recently. He will have some fol- lowing among the populistic element III the west, but whoever is nominated Will owe the honor chiefly to the south and the east.
 If Underwood is nominated I think his election will be practically assured. In the electoral college it only requires 26s votes to decide. Underwood would carry the solid south and New York, Connecticut New Jersey. Indiana, Arizona and New Mexico. which would make 213 votes seven more than necessary for a choice. The Champagne Salesman l have been personally acquainted with many distillery agents and representa- tives of wholesale liquor houses, and while some of them have been moderate in their drinking, although they had am pie expense money allowance to pay foi drinks, the champagne salesmen whom have known, with one single exception have been high flyers, and what might be called "big boosers.''
 Champagne being rich mans drink the men who go on the road to introduce it or drum for it are as a class well bred gentlemen entitled to cards at the most exclusive social clubs. I have known score or more of these champagne men, and every last one of them was at- traetive in hls address and most com- panionable. But oh, what drinkers they all were. I felt sorry for them, for ] thought it was only a question of short time when they would be nervous wrecks. The one exception among champagne salesmen of my acquaintance is Burr Fer guson, who is selling a very high class article. Mir. Ferguson in accepting the flattering offer made by the concern he now represents resolved that he would be total ahstainer. and that if he could not succeed without drinking a drop he would quit the business. Well, he has succeeded beyond his brightest expecta- tions. He tells me that the old notion tHdt d iiidH stiilfS WltlcS UT otiici liquOi had to do a great deal of drinking was entirely exploded so far as he was con cerned.
 Government statistics show that the liquor traffic is on the increase in this country in spite of total abstinence socie- ties and prohibition movements; but I be- lieve it is true, as I have heard 1t stated by men of the world in a position to ob- serve social customs among various rrra of o0ra1o hot 6rtf -ay ,ra . on the decrease.
 I know from casual observation that there is much less drinking among busi- ness men in cities than there used to be. Those who drin'- in moderation and enjoy the sociability of it abhor the noisy tip pier. Public sentiment is more down on the abuse of liquor than ever. and the time will come when champagne agents like MT. Ferguson will be the rule, in- stead of the exception.