The Calumet news., 1912-07-11
PROHIBITION IS AN ISSUE
Believed Vote Of the Vets Will be
Badly Split up
ODDS In FAVOR OF The DRYS
Two OF Candidates Are Favorable 10
Liquor Foroes--Primsries in
Two Weeks.

Austin. Texas, July 11.-One OF tn.
hottest political battles the Lone Star
state has seen i'm years is rapidly ap-
preaching climax. Two weeks from
Saturday the Democratic voters Of
Texas will engage i'm state wide pri-
mary to determine, first, who is 10
succeed Joseph w Bailey In the Unit
ed states senate, ana. second. wheth-
err Governor Colquitt shall succeed
himself or be retired from office. AT
the same time candidates will be nam
ed for lieutenant governor and all 9th
er important state officers. for Judges
Of the supreme court and court of ap-
peals members of the legislature and
county officers But so far as the
general public is concerned the inter-
est is centered almost exclusively in
the fight for the senatorship.
Immediately SeDator Bailey an
nouncSd his purpose to retire last win
ter the canvass for his seat began.
The followers of William j. Bryan.
who had long fought Bailey, set out
tc get the place. Congressman Morris
Sheppard of the First district. ad,nit-
tedly one of the ablest members
among the younger Democrats In the
House. was chosen to lead. He start
ed out in determined fashion but
within month his health gave way
and he was compelled to announce his.
retirement
Another Candidate Rotircs.
With the retirement of Sheppard the
leadership of the radicals was taken
up by Cone Johnson, who previously
had been the center of several stormy
campaigns, having for their object the
unseating of Bailey Johnson found.
however that the pace set by his riv-
ais i'm covering the great distances
involved In a stumping tour of the
state was too hot. and after entering
upon round of speech making was
compelled to go to sanitafium at
Fort Worth. In the middle of April he
announced his retirement from the
race
hN Wtit III ~ ndflf
when the decision OF Johnson was
made known to them. But they were
soon relieved when word came to them
that Congressman Sheppard. after a
month or more in sanitarium. had
recovered his strength and would re
enter the race. Since that time Mr.
sheppard has been actively in the
fight.
Rival Radical Candidates.
Mr. Sheppard is for the initiative
and referendum and the recall as part
Of the states machinery of govern
ment He also stands with Mr.. Bryan
IN the demand that free raw materials
shall be part of the Democratic tar
if policy. The same policies are ad
vocsted by Congressman Choice s. |
Randell, also candidate for Senator
Pailey's seat, and whe has decline |
TO listen To the plea of the Sheppard
ties to withdraw from the race and
leave the field clear for Mr.. Sheppard !
as the sole choice of the radicals.
The conservative standard bearer Is !
Col J. r. wolters of Houston. who is
strongly ightlng the so-called radical
lleas put forward by the Bryanites. |
Col Wolters Is n born fighter and lac |
mas an acquaintance with Texas poll |
tics that makes him formidable op. |
ponent. Besides attracting the moder- !
ates Of the party. he is expected to
receive strong support from the sheep |
men and cattlemen who are opposed to |
'he free raw materials advocated by |
sheppard and Randell.
Prohibition An Issue.
notwithstanding the fact the state
wide prohibition question has no di- |
rect bearing upon the United States
senatorship. this Is one of the chief |
ISSUES OF the campaign wolters was |
chairman of the anti-prohlbitlon cam
paign last year. and naturally has |
asainst him the prohibition element |
Statewide prohibition was defeated b |
only little more than 5000 votes at |
'ne election. AT which men of all par |
ties voted
" Us claimed by prohibition leaders
tcst Of the strength of the Demo- |
.'''S alone on this question will show |
'e drys'' In a good majority. The
F,"hioluonists almost to man are
ewing their support to Sheppard |
"andei Is an anti -prohibitionist. al |
."oush he did not take any active part
~ :. the fight on that question in Texas
" - the general opinion. however the
u- prohibition vote will be divided