The Washington herald., 1913-10-09

RACE FOR SENATE
IS WAKING warm
Contest In Alabama Is Likely
to Attract National
Attention.
STRONG MEN RUNNING
Judge Clayton and Representatives
Underwood and Hobson All Have
Powerful Backing in State.

Some extremely interesting complica-
lions in connection with the Senatorial
situation and the membership of the SEN
ate after the expiration of the terms of
thirty-two Senators in 1915, have arisen
IN the several States. Probably the most
acute situation is in Alabama. 1t has
been long time since this Southern
State has developed symptoms of a char
acter grave enough or interesting enough
TO attract National attention.
The motto on the armorial bearing of
the State of Alabama is: Here we
Rest or words to that effect in Latin,
The State has come pretty near carrying
out that principle and has been resting
easily for a considerable season. Now,
however, there are political wars ana
rumors of wars in the peaceful State to
the southwark and their echoes are re.
Yeroerating through the halls OF Congress
TO say nothing Of the hotel lobbies) Of
Washington.
For the politicians in Washington are
pretty we'll informed concerning what
happens in the States. Let a man an
nounce his candidacy for ofice way out
West somewhere or far to the Southwark
and the word comes to Washington as
spark Of fire leaps along a train of
powder. Sometimes there is an explosion
when the fuse burns to the CAPITOL ;some-
cumstances in the case and, as Robert
Louis Stevenson used to say, ION a num-
Der of things"
Dignity Is Upset.
Now as to Alabama: The State aiEays
has maintained that sort OF dignified at |
titude which one unconsciously associates |
with mint juleps, shady plantation YER
andas and elderly gentlemen who can, |
he 70 |
thing about the war. Alabama rests End |
does her spinning quietly as a rule. But |
this year IL seems that the yarn has be-
come tri1e tangled. That il should /
snap and greatly embarrass the spinner
Is not considered altogether impossible.
Senator Joseph Johnston of Alabama /
had been in the Senate since 1907 al the I
time of his death not long ago His de-
mise came at critical time. With the
in debate OF its height and with the
sugar Senators and other Democrats
threatening to abjure their political faith,
every Democratic vote was needed
Wherefore Gov. O'Neal Of Alabama
designated Henry D. Clayton. who haG
served as chairman of the House Com
mittee on the Judiciary throughout the
present Democratic ascendancy in the
House. to fill the vacancy caused by Sen
ator JOhnston's death and serve until
the State should elect a Senator in the |
regular way. Incidental music at the
time was the warm discussion as p
Gov O'NeaTs right to designate a Sen
ator, inasmuch as the statute books
boast a direct election of Senators
amendment to the constitution. This
discussion is not yet hushed. the case |
anguishing in the Committee on rivi- |
eyes and Elections OF the Senate.
Question Is Live One. I
50 the Alabama Senatorship is rather l
i've question for Alabama. Former Gov. {
William d. Jackson of Alabama has an
nounced the candidacy of Mr.. Clayton
or the seat in the Senate. Thus the S
Congressman has two hooks out fer the s
Alabama Senatorship; TO wit: the COM '
mission of Gov. O'Neal and a fair fol-
owing to support his candidacy at the
polls. Judge Clayton has served nine
continuous terms in the House of Rep
'esentatives and has attained to the
hairmanship of one of the chief COM
nittees Of that body. Naturally he has
strong following in his State.
But there is another candidate in the Il
ield who is entitled to consideration. q
lie is Oscar Underwood. majority leader
Il the House of Representatives. A "
in Congress for nine p
erms, leader OF his party on the floor 81
( that body when his party was in the a
majority, near Presidential candidate, h
nd in many ways looked upon as a h
aader, Mr. Underwood looms up as an g
ntagonist not to be despised in any pO-
tiCal race. In a recent telegram to c
'ictor Henson. in Birmingham, Mr.. I'm
erwood said:
4 am disposed to enter the race. but