The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-10-15
Lust for Office Has Spoiled
Force and Usefulness of
HObsOn's Career"
HOBSON ATTACK FALLS
ABSOLUTELY FLAT
Prohibitionist Says Underwood Has
Always Been Friend of Temperance.
Declares Hobson Has Demon
strated Unfitness for Senate

John w. slbley, who is at the present
time in Philadelphia, and who in politics
is a prohibition democrat, in letter to
the editor OF The Age Herald, expresses
regret that "lust for office has spoiled
the force and usefulness of nobson's ca
reer''
He makes the point that while prohibi-
tion is not an issue, Oscar w. Underwood
deserves the support Of prohibitionists in
that he aided in the enactment of the
Webb anti-shipping bill. He adds that
without Mr.. Underwood's assistance the
bill could never have become law
His criticism of the Hobson attack al
Wetumpka and his deductions are con
tanned in the following letter;
Editor of The Age-Herald:
There is an old adage that whom
the gods would destroy they first
make mad" This seems to be striking
ly exemplifed by the recent utterances
of Congressman Hobson regarding my
esteemed and honored friend. Mr.. Tn
derwood.
Up to the time of Underwood's an
liOuDttIltDi lOI Iilt StDdlt IlN tHOltt
had leaned strongly to Hobson, largely
because of the local environments and
backing of the other candidate.
Hobson's accusations against Under
wood as the tool of the whisky in
terests" are so utterly without foun-
dation of fact as to convince me that
a man who would be so reckless in his
aspersons is absolutely unworthy to
occupy the exalted position of United
I tI,.t
lust for office has spoiled the force
and usefulness Of his career. Mr..
Hobson has been on the right side, as
/ view it, SO long on all matters per-
tanning to civic righteousness that |
hate to see him besmireh his escutch-
con by mud Singing against man
whose record is spotless. Aside from this
incident ! am for Underwood first,
last and all the time for any office to
which he might aspire, but in order
that my host of prohibition friends
and fellow citizens may not he lead
astray by this foul attack of Hob
son, ] wish to say that Underwood
has always been fair and real
friend of temperance. He believes In
the cardinal principle of local option
and proved his faith by his vote on
the Webb anti-shipping bill. which the
liquor interests maintained gigantic
his conviction that ii was the most
genuine kind of local option. that the
federal government should not per-
nit one state to nullifY the laws of
another, which had prohibited the sale
of intoxicants Without Cnderwoods S
support the Webb bill could never have
passed While | do not conceive that
the question Of prohibition is an issue
in this senatorial race, no real friend
of the cause should withhold his vote
from Underwood on the false bug
aboo" raised by Hobson.
There are so many vital matters to
be handled by the Senate that Ala
bama needs the services Of wise
statesman and tried councillor
1T should be the pride and glory of
all true patriots to honor her illus
trious son, whose career has placed
him upon the pinnacle of esteem of his
countrymen all over this nation with
out regard to creed or party. Yours
respectfully, JOHN w. SfBLEY.
Philadelphia, October II.