The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-10-20
UNDERWOOD AND HOBSON

A TLANTA CONSTITUTION. My
~ record is the record of the demo-
4 cratic party Oscar Underwood
made use of that challenging epigram in
answering the charges brought against
him by Representative Hobson in the
recent running debate in the House. The
non-partisan nature of the applause that
met his statements Is significant. The
men associated with him in the public SER
vice of the nation are the men who know
him best Their judgment is not apt to
he an erroneous one.
The Constitution does not undertake to
interfere in the Alabama senatorial con-
test or to pass judgment upon the relative
fitness of the candidates. But regarding
the achievements and worth of the floor
leader of the House no question has been
raised in any quarter. 1t is due to his
generalship, to his faculty for discipline
and his genius for compromise that the
democrats of the House have been able
to keep party pledges as to the tariff and
other issues. He has given the nation a
new conception of southern statesman
ship. The thankless and stupendous task
of framing a new tariff law was cheer
fully accomplished, though it brought him
to the verge of breakdown.
All this must be said in sheer justice to
the man who has laid the democratic
party under obligation to him. However
bitter may be the exchanges of personal
politics and clashing ambitions. Under
woods contribution to the constructive
4. L.
imized.
Jackson Clarion-Ledger Hobson plays
to the sgrandstand wheh he talks about
Ryan's contribution to Underwood's CAM
paign fund. He didn't think, however, to
mention the contributions of Harvester
trust officials to Wilson's campaign fund.
Columbus Ledger: Naturally Hobson
does not want Underwood in the ,sena-
torial race. Would you want somebody to
"uncineh" your game?
Augusta Chronicle. Hobson will find
that tackling Santiago harbor with col
lier is easy In comparison with getting
into the United States Senate by attack
ing other mems characters.
New York Sun: In his attack upon the
integrity of Oscar Underwood, Captain
Hobson has overshot the mark--Tusca-
loosa News.
Yes his trajectory was very high.
New York sun: Hr Hobson after maxi
ing his attack on Mr.. Underwood left last
night to deliver ctures.-Dispatch from
Washington.
Imagine Perry stepping from the Nj
agara with a cash register slung across
his shoulders. Patriotism is far more
profitable than our ancestors ever
dreamed.
Syracuse Herald Representative Hob
sons foolish and unjust attack upon
Leader Underwood in the House, the cli-
max of his bitter personal campaign
against Mr.. Underwood In the Alabama
senatorial contest, ended, as it should
have ended, In victory for the cool
headed, amiable and resourcefu chairman,
OF the ways and means committee. Mr..
Underwood demolished his assailant as
completely as he demolished our even
more distinguished opponent and critic.
william j. Bryan, in the last session Of
the Sfxty-third Congress.
Something over Is years ago Mr.. Hob
sons daring exploit in the harbor of San
tiago gained for him the laurels of
naval hero; but his public career since
his retirement from the navy has added
nothing to his fame. His vanity, eccen-
tricity and fanaticism have more than
once subjected him to the penalty that
is always dangerous, and often fatal, to
ambitious public men-the penalty OF rid
icule. Nothing could better illustrate his
ment than his choice Of his latest target;
for there is no man in either branch of
Congress who commands the respect and
confidence of his colleagues of all parties
in a greater degree than does Oscar W..
Underwood, and he has deserved that dis
tinction by his graces of manner and de-
cency of method, as well as by his excep-
tional talents as a constructive Statesman
and q parliamentary leader. Indeed, his
attractive qualities were finely exemplified
| In yesterdays debate, when he routed his
enemy without any sacrifice of his good
| temper or dignity. by defense that
| lacked no element of frankness and rnanli-
ness. AS result. Mr.. Hobson lowered
himself another peg in the public esti-
nation. and the sympathy Of the House