The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-09
Announced Early for Senate
in Order to Have Per-
feet Organization
WAR MAP IN COLORS
HANGS ON HIS WALL
"At First Blow Below Belt | Intend
to Destroy the Party Who
Strikes Me-" He
Says
BY c. E. STEWART

Washington, February s-=tSpeciaI1--
One of the big questions which the people
of Alabama will have to settle in a state
wide primary in April 1914 win be who
is to succeed Senator Joseph r. Johnston
in the United States Senate. The senator
himself is a candidate for reelection, and
has one openly avowed opponent. Capt
Richmond Pearson Hobson. now repre-
senting the Sixth district in Congress.
Other gentlemen prominent in the pollt-
icai destiny of Alabama have been mem
toned. and in some ways are yet to be
considered in the running Governor Co
mer has senatorial aspirations. as every
one knows, but as yet has not seen fit 10
take the people into his confidence con
cerning his Intentions next year.
Representative-eleet J. W. Abercrom-
bic is a conditional candidate for the SEN
ate--that is. he declares thar he will cer-
tainly be candidate if the state is ra-
districted, or It is assured that it will be
before the next general election. Repre-
sentative Henry d. Clayton. now chair-
man of the House committee on the judi
ciary, and prominently spoken of as At
torney General In Wilson'S cabinet may
enter the contest for the Senate. and Is
being urged to DO SO by = > friends.
Willing to Talk
But Senator Johnston-s one active and
open opponent at this time is Captain
, Hobson.
| II am perfectly willing 10 talk" said
the captain. Il do not believe In gufs/
shoe politics. but / believe that all
facts should be known to the peopr 1T
large.
Il announced by candidacy cay con-
tinued Captain Hobson. "prll y to
complete a thorough and compact organ
ization OF the state before the campaign
opens. MY announcement was not simply
for effect, bit marked the actual begin
ning oe trs v.ofl OF organization. Today
J there are 81 out OF the 81 counties thor
oughiy organized. This organization ens
braces about 5000 men. and the numbeA
is steadily added to, and when the cam
paign properly opens | expect to have
1o.000 men. The organization consists not
only of county chairman. but extends to
/ the beat organization, with chairman In
charge of the beat committees. Natural
ly from long service In the navy believe
In organization: II Is the foundation OF
| Stithbth oiN Nifai~Ht%-
Advantage of Early Announcement
~ am aware of the fact" said Captain
Hobson. that my announcement will lay
me open to attack, but also sec the adj
vantage OF giving the people time to dis
cuss and become thoroughly accustomed
J to the conception OF my candidacy and
to the new methods and ideas adopted,
and they will be able to weigh and meas
ure them from all standpoints.
| hau btIruQI m hri6gpa-H - he de-
clared. "In announcing for the Senate
| gave out the determination not to stand
| for Congress- which is III contrast with
| he other candidates. and incipient candf-
dates There Is remarkable unanimity in
which they all mold on to the opportunity
! for holding office. | have burned my
bridges as l did when | resigned from
the navy, from careful deliberation as to
| the opportunities for rendering service.
| II feel that the work done In the Sixth
| district has prepared me for wider work
| for the whole state. refer particularly
| to the development in agricultural lineE.
in preparation for the boil weevl. my
| district being practically the first district
| In the south to prepare for the coming or
| ihis pest Then there Is the work | have
done IN tick eradication which is pioneer
| work In the way | had IL adopted In Sum
| ter county: my work In carrying expedi-
tions OF experts from the agricultural de-
| partment; my stand on the large oues-
| tiOu not only or aSr1cuituIe put On tne
proper development of Alabama, having In
mind the great manufacturing possibli-
ties in possessing the raw materials. iron,
| timber cement coal and other raw ma
tarials along with the power necessary
! for manufacturing. coal and water power,
! I am particularly anxious to see that the
| great water powers of the state are rap
IDLY developed and thoroughly safeguard
ed as a great asset to all the people OF
/ the state.
Old Must Give Way to New
"I feel very deeply that the completion
of the Panama canal will open great
new era for the SOUTH" said Captain
| Hobson, 'and particularly Alabama. and
! 1t is passion with me to take part in
the empire building that is to go In
| fact / feel that the old should give way
| willingly to the new without further de-
lay, so that our own people of the state
may not be dsinherited. According to
my idea this empire building in material
(Continued On Page six)