The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-08
INDICATIONS ARE
UNDERWOOD WILL
SWEEP THE STATE
Majority Ranging from 30
600 to 10000 Predicted
for House Leader
VAST GAINS MADE IN
ALL PARTS OF STATE
Gubernatorial Race Narrows Down
Between Conner and Henderson.
Two Strong Reasons for
Underwood's Strength
by l.. :. BETTY

by l.. 8. BETTY
Montgomery February 7-(SpecialD
Every recent development in the sem
atorial race has pointed to but one in
controvertible and impregnable con-
clusion. has brought home to the voters
of Alabama one indisputable fact. and
that is that Oscar Underwood will re-
ceive the nomination for United States
| senator in the April primary by a ma
jority ranging from thirty to forty
thousand votes.
Another fact which is staring the
voters of Alabama in the face. praeti-
cally as self-evident as the first. is that
the race for governor is between b. B.
Conner and Charles Henderson. Regard
| ing the various other races 1t Is mani
fest that they have not yet aroused
much enthusiasm, the senatorial and
| the gubernatorial campaigns occupying
| the center of the political stage.
With respect TO the senatorial cam
| paign, the only new developments
which have characterized 1t during the
past two weeks are noted in the vast
state. Reports from all the counties,
with the exception of one or two in
Captain Hobsons district. declared that
Underwood will receive from So to 30
per cent of the votes in them, and that
every day the popular House leader is
gaining additional strength. 1t Is eX-
ceedingly doubtful that Captain Hobson
will be able to cary his home district,
various estimates giving Underwood
from so to so per cent of the votes In
the nine counties composing the Sixth
district
Reasons for UnderwOOds Strength
Two strong, pertinent reasons may
be assig gned for Underwood's remarka-
BILE strength throughout the state. The
first is that the people of Alabama
recognize his faithfulness to any public
trust, and the second is that 1t has been
proven that his representa- tions to the
voters of the state are all true and
based wholly on facts In other words,
they know he will remain on "the job,
and they know that his best efforts and
energies will be directed in behalf of
their interests
There is still another reason for the
strong tidal wave of Underwood senti-
ment which is sweeping the state, and
that may be explained by reference to
Captain Hobson's method of campaign
+, ing. The people OF Alabama. like
| Anne ricans everywhere believe in fair
play, and they do not regard Captain
Eobson's charges against Mr.. Under
wood, since they have been proven un-
| true, to be consistent with the true
conception of fairness.
Captain Hobson has gained thousands
of votes for Mr.. Underwood during the
| l. H.
that if he pursues the same methods he
has followed in the past that he will
win for him many thousands more.
From all quarters of the state reports
are received that Captain Hobson has
lost friends by his relentless and bit
ter attacks upon his opponent.
Tries to Tie to Corners Apron Strings
Captain Hobson has made it very evil
dent in a number of his recent speeches
that he is trying to tie himself to Mr..
Comers apron strings. Several times he
has declared that he and Mr.. Conner
stand for the same principles, his most
recent assertion of this nature being in
a public address at Wetumpka, the sec
ond he has delivered in that city since
he began his campaign.
The gallant captains declaration that
he and Mr.. Conner stand on the same
side. while doubtless Objectionable to the
lOT1neI BONeTIOI. 1IldkeS IL very eNlUenJ
that he is seeking popular favor by
dclaring for the leading prohibition can
didate in the gubernatorial race. On the
other hand. it is evident that Mr.. Conner
is not at all anxious to help Captain
Hobson fight his battles. for, in the
vernacular of the day. he has troubles
of his own, and could ill afford to as
sist a candidate recognized as already
defea ted.
1t is certain that Mr. Conner has no
intention of aligning himself with Cap
tain Hobson. for while the former gov
ernor is now believed to have a good
chance, any affiliation with the Merrmar
hero would mean his Inevitable defeat
And Mr.. Conner knows it.
Henderson Conner
Developments in the governors race
have made it very apparent that the con-
test is between Mr. Henderson and Mr.
Conner. both of whom a~e conducting
vigorous campaigns in behalf of their
candidacy. Interest in Mr.. Hendersons
campaign has revived to a remarkable
aegree during the past three weeks, and
II Is now believed that he STANDS an
equal chance with Mr.. Conner.
Mr.. Henderson is making tour of
the whole state, and will speak in every
county In Alabama before the date of the
primary. His addresses, while lacking In
eloduence, are cellar and forcefuI and
they are creating a deep and widespread
interest. Every report received in Mont
gomery indicates that he is mating large
gains. and practically every report de-
clares that the race is between him and
Mr.. Conner.
The Troy candidate is known to be
leading the race in large number of
counties OF the state. Practically all the
remainder are conceded to Mr. Conner.
In the first primary 1t is expected that
the vote will be close between these two
candidates. friends of the two sides each
claiming the victory. In the run-off. with
Mr.. Henderson and Mr.. Conner in tho
race, 1t is generally agreed that the for
mer will stand an excellent chance of Sc
curing the nomination
The three remaining candidates for gov
ernor do not seem at all deferred by tne
fact that they are not considered sin tbe
running" and are making vigorous ef-
forts in behalf of their interests Can't.
Reuben F. Kolb. John H. Wallace. .Jr.
md Walter D. Seed seem determined to
rtay in the race to the bitter end. and
nave made speaking engagements which
will carry them up to a few days before
the primary.
Notwithstanding the fact that there is
apparently little interest manifested in
the various races for other offices, the
candidates are displaying an unusual
amount of activity. and they are present.
ing their claims to the voters in every
quarter of the state.
Both C. Brooks Smith. state auditor
and Malcolm Graham of Prattville are
claiming the lead in the treas,Irer's race
They are opposed by Judge r. l., Brad