The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-10-12
GRATEFUL
THAT CLAYTON WILL
NOT LEAVE SERVICE
UnderwOOd's Success Inevi-
table = HObsOn's Attack
Regarded as Ludicrous.
The Nation Interested
By T.. $. nErvry

BY l.. $. BETTY
Montgomery October 11.--(Special.)--It
was with a peculiar sense OF qualification
that the people of Alabama learned OF
Representative Henry d. Clayton's retire.
ment from the senatorial race. Mr. Clay
ton is man whom the voters of the
state do not wish to see leave the public
service, yet had he continued in the race
for the Senate that result would have
been inevitable.
Next to Oscar w. Underwood, the rep
resentative from the Third district is the
biggest man who has represented Ala
bama in Congress in number of years,
and his retirement from public life would
have been particularly unfortunate. Mr..
Underwood has served in the House longer
than Mr. Clayton, and he has achieved
more than any other man has achieved
in Congress during the past 20 years. Mr..
Clayton has likewise rendered valuable
service to his state and country, and holds
the craftsmanship of the committee on the
judiciary. next in Importance to Mr.. I'M
derwoods committee.
But in point of service and in the
character of work he has performed, Mr..
Underwood was regarded as the legitimate
SUCCESSOR to the next senatorship, and
thereris little doubt that he would, even
in q three cornered race, have achieved
that goal.
On the other hand, Mr.. Clayton's defeat
would probably have meant his retire
ment from public life for the next few
years, and none Of his friends wished
to see him retire.
Underwood's Success Inevitable
The possibility OF Mr. Underwood's de-
feat Is too remote to even contemplate,
for should ~the people Of Alabama refuse
to elect him to the United States Senate
it would be declaration to the country
.damental principles Of the national demo-
cratic platform. Mr.. Underwood, as the
leading democrat In Congress. was dele
gated the task of carrying out the party
programme, and after months of arduous
labor, during which time the attention
of the nation has been centered upon his
efforts, has nearly completed his under
taking. That he has performed his task
we'll rs the opinion of leading newspapers
and journals throughout the country, ir-
respective of their political views, and
that he should be able to call upon the
people of his native state for any office
in their gift is so very patent to the de-
mocracy of other states that any other
view of the situation would appear ludi-
crous.
Mr.. Underwood has done more than any
other man Alabama has produced to bring
fame and prestige to her name. and he
stands today as the most conspicuous
figure in the nation. with the possible ex-
ception of President Woodrow Wilson.
The people of Alabama are proud of Mr..
Underwood's record, they glory IN his
achievements. and they will show their
admiration and gratitude by electing him
to the United States Senate by the largest
vote ever accorded candidate for that
office.
National Interest in Campaign
1t is not likely that political campaign
will be conducted in any state in the
union during the next one or 1two years
that will attract SO much national inter
est as will the present senatorial race in
Alabama. With the entrance of Mr. I'm
derwood into that race, Alabama will be
largely in the public eye during the next
less overshadow any other political move
ment in the entire country.
The people of the country at large have
no wish to lose sight of the peerless Ala
bamian, hence they will watch the prog
ress of the campaign in the state with
peculiar interest. though with no less
confidence in the final outcome than win
be felt by the people of Mr.. Under
wods own state. Were the outside world
able to do so. they would very probably
make the campaign of the popular House
leader a national issue, inasmuch as the
political fortunes of Mr.. Underwood tram
scend In Importance those of any other
man in the public eyestodas.
Hobson's Attack Fruitless
Captain Hobson is believed to have
made a very serious mistake in attack
ing Mr. Underwood, and the erstwhile
hero of the Merrimac has accordingly
been subjected to much sharp criticism. In
the opinion of officials and local political
leaders the unprovoked attack upon Mr..
Underwood will fall far short Of having
the effect whiGh Captain Hobson. desired.
fnasmuch as II Is calculated to give the
democratic leader In Congress q more im-
pregnable position W the estimation Of the
people of his state than he has heretofore
occupied.
The attack has, of course. provoked
much comment, yet 1t has allsbeen unfav-,
orable to Captain Hobson, whose state
ment appeared 80 ludicrous that none has
thought it worth while to speak In de-
fense of Mr.. Underwood. Yet, having dts
covered the tactics which the gallant cap,
tain will doubtless pursue in his efforts
TO caiole a certain class OF the voters OF
the state, the friends and admirers of
Mr. Underwood are more determined than
ever to bring about the former naval Of
ficer's defeat. The attack has had the
effect OF arousing people. not only in
Alabama, but throughout the entire coun-
try. to speak in Mr.. underwood's behalf
- la<a la<a of Ina In