The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-09-23
Opposing Leaders Claim to
See Signs of Victory in
the Result
PROGRESSIVES SPLIT
50-40 IN CONTEST
While Democratic Candidate for Gov
ernor Received Small End, If Pro-
portion Is Maintained in No
vember Wilson Will Win
BY HUGH w. ROBERTS

AOAhs oCPlCiiIDtI NI-tSp6Cldl.J
Politicians in both camps are endeavor-
ing to determine just what effect on the
presidential campaign the recent primary
elections will have, or of what were
those elections significant.
AS is invariably the custom. republi-
cans, on the one hanc, formally declare
that the indications are that the progress
sives are again in camp, and that in
November Mr.. Hughes will score a
''walk-over," and on the other, demo-
Gratis, as result of the primaries, can
see the situation in only one highland
that light entirely favorable to them.
Governor Whitman received the nomi-
nation of the progressives, it is true. In
teresting deductions, however are pos
sible from the fact that, first, only a
handful of progressives voted, and, sec
ondly, of those who did vote, Judge Sea-
bury received about 40 per cent. If
Mr.. Wilson receives % per cent of the
progressive vote cast four years ago.
New York-and this would mean the
election-would easily tumble into the
democratic column.
THE TWO CONVENTIONS
From the fact that less than 81. 900
progressives voted both camps are able
TO find comfort. The republicans aver
that 1t is indicated that the great ma
Jority of the members of that defunct
organization have silently returned to the
camp fire of their masters On the other
hand, the democrats are prone to believe
that the bulk of the former progressive
vote, disguised no less with Roosevelt
since the great betrayal than with
Root Penrose, Crane and Smoot who
committed the theft of 1922 have
camps, and walked into the tents of
those who love the Lord
Another interesting straw is furnished
in the fact that although Colonel Roose.
yelt ordered his old following to trof
with limR in support of Robert Bacon. a
former ambassador swho wanted to cal
with senators. his old following failed to
hear the voice of its master. William
NJ. Calder, repudiated by the once fear
less leader. by Mr.. Root and even by
Mr.. Barnes, whose whip has driven more
oringing republicans to the polls than
that of any other man, won the nom-
nation. The victor, formerly a member
of the House-and regarded by newspa-
per correspondents as a Clever fellow
is 'standpat'' republican.
T. RS VOICE DEAD
Democrats find unusual significance in
the fact that the progressives who once
loved to live at the feet of Roosevelt
and drink from his trough, broke with
the dehorned leader in the senatorial pri
mares. For, as nearly everyone has
heard, the colonel. having failed to bully
rag the republicans into nominating him
in Chicago, humbly accepting the potion
served by Murray Crane, ordered his
nirelings to making the welllin ring with
the name of Hughes.
II they failed to jump at the crack of
his whip in New York, will they not fail
likewise to do so in every other state of
the union? Democrats are daily convinc
ing themselves that the progressiyes
who once declared their party independ
ent of the old slave drivers" are indie
pendent in fact.
r.
Hughes will find unavailing both his
whiskers and the frenzed support of fe
male politicians whom on every possi-
BILE stump he has brazenly embra ced
For in addition to the Deutschland T7ber
Allies machine, he is admittedly depend
ent on the force of Roosevelt's kick.
THE G. 0. P. STEW
FTharp lie
democrats who are anxious to win New
York for Wilson. Between the following
of Calder and Bacon there is little love
lost. And If that following is not forced
together like eve lambs. then it is a Ger.
tainty that William F. McCombs will win
the senatorshp, ana Wilson the state
of New York
Jefferson Levy. former member of Con
gress and very clever politician of the
''old schoor'a school which knows the
art of playing the. glme"-ln speaking
to The Age-Herald correspondent regard
ing the political prospectus, referred
pointedly to the republican disaffection
as democratic asset
1.-The republicans" he said, were very
we'll satisfied with Calder He is of
their kidney. They felt sure of electing
him. And then came Bacon with his am
bition. He announced his candidacy,
and Roosevelt, Root, Barnes and others
rushed to his standard The supporters
of Calder instantly perceived that friction
would perforce be developed, and that
as result, even if they nominated their
man, disaffection would probably mean
his defeat at the polls Bacon and his
following spoiled the game. There are
sore spots on the part of both contin-
gencies. Democrats will assuredly profit
MCCORMICK is CONFIDENT
Mr.. Mccormick, chairman of the dem
ocratic national committee. having just
returned from trip west, declares that
the republicans are welcome to any COM
fort they may be able to find in the re-
suit of the primaries. He feels inclined
to believe that every honest deduction
must be construed as favorable to Mr..
Wilson.
As matter OF fact. since the primaries.
the democrats are feeling better. They