Las Vegas optic., 1914-03-30
HOBSON IS AFTER.
4 PLACE IN
SENATE
HE AND DEMOCRATIC LEADER
UNDERWOOD ARE RIvALs
IN ALABAMA

lOu6CSt dtlu ulOoJ SASlJluS pOliItSdA
campaign in the history Of Alabama
is near its close, One week from to-
day the democratic primaries VIII be
held for the nominae1on of candidates
foE Uited States senator for the six
year term, beginning March 4, 1915;
for United States senator for the six
.unexpired term Of the late Joseph F.
Johnston, for representatives from
each OF the nine congressional dis
tricts, for governor and other state
officers, judges Of the supreme court
and court Of appeals and members OF
the legislature The candidates nom
mated III the primaries WIN be voted
for in November. Nomination on the
democratic ticket in Alabama is re-
garded as equivalent to election
The contest for the long-term sen
atorship has almost overshadowed the
other features of the campaign. In
this contest Oscar w. Underwood, the
democratic leader in the national
house of representatives, is pitted
against Captain Richmond Pearson
Hobson, now representing the sixth
congressional district Of Alabama
Seldom in the history Of American
politics has there been more re-
markable campaign for the United
States senate, between two contest
ants of national interest, representing
wholly opposite traditions and the
ories of government,
Hobson's strength lies largely in
his success as a canpaigner. With a
realization Of this facJhe has been in
dustriously stlmping the state for
many weeks past, covering much
ground, making many speeches and
arousing considerable enthusiasm
among the ruralites. He has made
prohibition the leading issue Of his
campaign, supplementing it with at
tacks on his opponent as the repre-
sentative Of Wall Street
Through practically the whole Of
the campaign Mr.. Underwood has re-
mained in washington. He has per
sistently declined to take the stump,
lesving the direction Of his campaign
to his friends at home. During the
congressional holiday he returned to
Alabama and delivered one or two
public speeches in which he defined
his views on the liquor question. He
Preferred to his record in congress for
fproof cf the fact that he had advo-
Gated q prohibition amendment, to the
constitution, though he believed that
lin the various states more practical
and satisfactory results could be OBJ
tanned through local option, with the
county ais a unit.
The success or failure of Mr.. Un
derwood in the senatorial campaign
| is expected to have a more or less i'm
Iportant bearing on national politics
1.-THE democratic leader in the house
ana the franer OF the tariff bill which
bears his name is generally regarded
las the first nlanffrom a southern STATE
since the civil war who has been with
lin striking distance Of the presidency
His friends believe that if he Is elect
ed to the senate he Will eventual!
Ibecome candidate for the presidenc!
of the United States.
! There are several candidates in thu
field for the shortterm senatorship
lbut as the successful one will haVl
less than year TO serve the contes
lis attracting comparatively little at
Tention. Nearly all Of the presen
representatives in congress have op
position for denomination, but the in
dications are that the most Of then
will be returned.
/ Even more bitter than the Hobson
| Underwood contest is the battle fo
the governorship. The question Q
statewide prohibition, the policy o
.Ithe state railroad commission and |
number Of other active state Issues
lhave contributed to make the contes
Ian exceedingly spirited one.
Former Governor B. B. Conner ar
pears as the most conspicuous figllr
III the fight for the gubernatorial nom
ination. He claims to be making tn
race for the governorship against tn
field. The several others who ar
: seeking the nomination are conduc'
ling vigorous compaigns and the resul
of the primary, so far as the governor
ship is concerned, cannot be fotetol
} with any degree Of certainty.
Appearing as opponents Of forme
IGovernor Conner in the race for tn
} governorship are Walter D. Seed {
Tusealocsa tha present lisutena1
eovernor r.. N Ecsh cf Ascntgomer
5 long . notable ufe IA Alabama 20
Iitcs ala u % epmmisaiol
/. er Of agriculture and inaRetfies, an
ICharles Henderson, Of Troy who
now at the head 81 The state railroa