The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-01-25
CHICAGO WATCHES
RACE.IN ALABAMA
C.. r. Pickard Tells How In
derwOod Is Regarded i'm
That Section

To the Editor of The Age-Herald:
Interest in the Alabama senatorial con-
test now being waged is not confined to
the former Alabamians living here, nor
is 1t limited to the many thousand
sodtherners residing within the borders
of what is destined to be the greatest
city the world has ever seen. Because
of the national prominence of Mr.. Under
wood, ard tse further fact that his op-
ponent has attempted upon at lease two
occasions, TO cir his cause unon the floor
of the House Of Representatives at Wash
lngtoii, the vi ole country mas had its at
tsntion drawn to the political situation in
Alabama.
One of the most prominent dcmoc1a attic
members of tie House answering n letter
in which l asked how the democratic
members Of Congress regarded the contest
between Messrs. Underwood and Ilobson,
III a reply received this morning, says:
Il say unhes'tatingly that from expires
sions made generally among the demo-
cratic members OF the House that % per
cent of the membership strongly favor
Mr.. Underwood for the Senate. This
preference Is not due to personal bias
or prejudice for or against either of the
candidates as individuals. because both
have pleasing personalities and are liked
accordingly as individuals.
Mr.. Underwood is considered one of
the very best equipped. trained and eff
cient legislators of this generation and
is sound upon every important question
| of legislation and policy of good govern
| ment. He possesses all the essential quail
tiles and qualifications, ability, experience
soundness of views, etc, and is one of
| the foremost statesmen of his time.
Captain Hobson is not looked upon
| as measuring up to this standard in
some essential respects; however. he is
a most likable person and | am very
fond of him personally"
Members of Congress who have
served with the two contestants are
certainly better qualified to Judge them
upon their relative merits than are
those who have but a fleeting acquaint-
ance with the two gentlemen. 1t will
not be a surprise to anyone well ac-
quainted with Mr.. Underwoods la
bors in Congress to learn that his col
leagues regard him so highly. but II
would be most unwelcome surprise to
the whole nation If the people of Ala =
hama failed to show by a large ma =
jcrity. their appreciation of public
servant who has proven his worth by
his work.
| The writer was in Washing gton at the
opening of the Forty y-seventh Congress,
which began its labors in December,
| 1881. When the republican caucus was
held by the members of the House of
| that faith and Gen. ]. Warren keifer
of Ohio selected as their candidate as
speaker L was the first to inform the
| late Honorable Thomas II. Herndon,
| then a member of Congress from tho
Mobile district, of General Keifers
nomination.
| In commenting upon this selection Colo
mel Herndon said that there was a young
| republican member. who was also from
Ohio, whom he personally would much
| prefer to have for speaker than any other
| republican, then in Congress; and added
/, that the member to whom he referred
would surely, IL he lived. because of his
| spotless character. great ability ant
| charming personality, reach the highest
| goal in public life
Fifteen years later, in 1896, Colone
| Herndon's prediction became a reality
when William Mckinley was elected
| President of the United States.
| To one who has known both men there
| are many striking similar traits in the
characters of William Mckinley and Os-
| car w. Underwood. One reached the
highest pinnacle of fame and the other
| is travelling In that direction and can
| only be stopped by those who should
| take the most pride in his achievements
the people of the state of Alabama.
| CHARLES r. PICKARD.
Chicago. January l6, 1914.