The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-06-26
Sensation Caused in Con-
venti0n When Three Mem
bers of Delegation Prove
Recreant to Cause
MALONE, CARNLEY
AND STEAGALL GO
OVER TO ENEMY
Governor 0'NeaI Explains, However,
That Their Action Was Result of
Misunderstanding Under
wood and Bankhead
Appeal Ignored


ny HUGH W. ROBERTS
Baltimore, June s5.--tSpecial)--D
the statement of Senator Bankhead that
all possibility of I-ndcrwoods nomination
would be eliminated un'ess the Alabama,
dteeaeon ardently supported the report
OF the national executive cemmlttee
against the onslaushts OF William Jea-
nings Bryan; despite the fact that through
telegram an6 n verbal message Mr.
Underwood had requested his Alabama
friends to support Judge Parker as
against William Jennings Bryan and de-
spite an agreement 10 the effect that thu
members of the delegation would unan-
imously support tile report Of the exeeu-
tive committee. three members. each pos
sessed of half a vote. created a mild
sensation in the convention this morn-
irg by casting their ballots for the hith-
erto peerless Nebrasksn
The three were George Malone of Do
than, J. A. carnley OF Elba and Henry
8. Steagali of Ozark.
Alabama Case" Develops
As result of the detection of these
as was the case in the republican, there
developed an Alabama case" When the
Alabama vote was called Governor
O'Neal. because there had been an agree
nent, cast "a votes for Parker. His right
to SO act was challenged. Chairman MACK
then inquired as 10 whether or not the
delegation had been instructed to vote
as a unit Governor oNeal replied that
such had been the case. Mr.. Malone de-
nicd. Credentials werv called for with
the result that the instructions were read.
II was then discovered that the Alabama
convention had instructed its delegation
to vote as A unit on all matters affecting
the nomination of Underwood As the
one and one-half votes cast for Bryan
were permitted 10 stand, the convention
evidently held that Ia the contest be-
tween Bryan and Parker, nothing was
involved which could affect the nomlna-
ton Of Underwood.
Result OF Misunderstanding
Following the, adjournment of the con-
yention Governor ONeal stated that
while there is no doubt Dgt that tb| sree
members violated the agreemen sch
the delegation had made, he believed enat
their action had been the result of a mis-
understanding. Inasmuch as Bryan was
defeated, II is not believed that the slight
detection In the Alabama ranks Will
necessarily result In permanent injury to
Underwood But II is generally admitted
that the Alabamian would now be elm
mated had the Nebraskan won against
Parker not because Parker Is a supporter
of Underwood but because Underw0od's
only enemy is William, Jennings Bryan.
Prior TO the beginning of the con-
the Alabama delegation held
meeting at the st. James hotel. The
election of national committeeman was
entered into, after James G. Oakley's
motion to postpone had been defeated.
Mr.. oakley nominated Bibb Graves of
and Gen. Brandon nomi-
mated William u. Jelks of birmingham.
The latter was elected by a vote of %
TO 1a.
How the Fight Arose
But the live fight occurred as a re-
suit Of H. s. d. Mallory's Initiation of
the discussion of the report of the ma
tional executive committee, which re-
port was to recommend the election OF
Judge Alton b. Parker as temporary
chairman. A strong minority of the
was unwilling to swallow
the famous swimmer of the Hudson,
even though as members of the delega-
ton there was still smaller minority
Of dyed In the wool Bryanites.
When the discussion waxed exceed
Ingly warm, Senator Bankhead took the
hoor He made this statement: Il tell
you with all the strength that l can
that 1t Is my earnest opinion.
based on careful study of the situation,
that unless the Alabama delegation
,rdently supports the report of the
our candidate will be elm
mated deem the vote of this delega-
lion on the report OF the comittee of
tar INN ri x.rfl he.
It's vote In favor of the nomination cs +
Messages From Mr.. Underwood
Just at that time Capt. w. p. Lay of
raped on the door of the
of the delegation, and gave
INTO the ear Of Gardner Greene word
from Mr.. Underwood. The leader had
authorized Captain Lay 10 state to the
delegation that in his opinion
Il was necessary that Bryan be de-
ieated, Following that report, Sena-
tor Bankhead read a telegram which
he had previously received from Under
wood, the telegram urging Underwood's
friends from Alabama hrmly to support
the report of the committee.
Thereupon Senator Bankhead re-
quested that the delegation by unani-
nous action authorize Chairman O'Neal
TO cast "a votes for Judge Parker, The
consent was granted, aitnouBn IL was
the understanding that following the
debate on the floor OF the convention.
any delegate. II he desired could de-
mand roll call for the purpose OF
finding out II a majority was In favor
of Bryan or Parker The agreement,
however. was plainly made that the
unit rule, applied by a majority vote
of the delegation. would obtain on all
matters.
Counld Not Understand Significance
All members of the Alabama deiega-
tion declared themselves heartily in
favor of the nomination of underwood. :.
Many, however. prior to the agreement.
expressed themselves as being unable
to understand how the nomination OF
the Alabamian could possibly be at
fected by the election OF either Parker
or Bryan.
The Alabama case" created mild
sensation, at any rate. As the settle
ment of the case delayed the roll call
on the only issue OF Che first days
session. II attracted the attention Of
every delegation. There is now some
little discussion on the streets as TO
whether or not the Alabama delegation
Is composed OF men who will fight to
the limit for Underwood and swallow
any medicine, however unpleasant. II. BY
tcontinued ON Page Nine.l