Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1929-01-25

statesmanship and a marked capacity
as a leader.
Concededly one OF the ablest men
Of his party, his name was brought
forward repeatedly Tor the demo-
cratic presidential nomination, but
geographical boundaries were re-
garded as barring the way despite
the fact that he received much Of
his support from the North and
East. Although born in kentucky
and reared in the Northwest, he was
wholly associated with the South
since all his public service had been
as a representative and senator
from Alabama.
Unlike those OF some Of his con-
~temporaries, his career was mark
ed BY little Of sens%ationallsm but
his long public life nevertheless was
not wholly without its dramatic mo-
ments. lie was the first OF the
young democrats TO break Ianees
with William Jennings Bryan when
the Commoner still was a command
ing force in the councils OF the
party. Their differences arose over
the Underwood tariff, and the
stand taken by Mr.. Underwood re-
quired = courage which again was
demonstrated a few years later
when in the then prohibition south
tie met and yanqulsned for the sen
ate Richmond Pearson Hobssn, Z
leader OF the dry cause and a ma
tional hero Of Merrimac fame.
Served Country
The senator's friends declared II
was this same courage that led MIN
to publicly denounce the hu Alux
Khan in 1924 when he was seeking
the presidential nomination.
A desire to serve his country
wherever possible led Senator I'm
derwood to accept membership on the
American commission TO the wash
ington arms conference. This SER
vice, taken from the hands OF a re-
publican president while all Of the
bitterness Of the inter-party fight
over the League Of Nations still
ranked, undoubtedly cost him the
democratic leadership in the senate,
a leadership he was not loath to
surrender since his party had lost
control Of congress.
First elected 10 the house Of rep
resentatives from the Birmingham.
district Of Alabam in 1894, Mr.. IN
derwood assumed leadership Of the
democrats there when they took
control Of the house in 1911 and on
the record he made within a year
his friends advanced him for the
presidential nomination at Baltimore.
Mastering nearly 100 votes, he re-
NAMED IL the fight until the forty
sixth ballot when his name was
withdrawn without either his knowl
edge and consent and his strength
thrown to Woodrow Wilson.
Retires From Senate
Refusing TO be considered for the
vice presidential nomination with
Wilson, he continued his service in
the house and through his parlia-
mentary skill and his tact OF leader
ship he contributed very materially
toward making Wilson's fl. I four
years Of administration a period Of
far-reachiag legislation. At the same
time he brought countrywide recog-
milton to himself as the author OF
a tariff bill which supplanted the
famous Payne-Aldrich act.
After 20 years in the house, he
moved over to the senate. His fame
had preceded him and with the
death OF Senator Thomas Martin Of
Virginia, he was chosen democratic
leader. a place he held until 1921.
Reelected to the senate in 1920,
he announced just before the ex-
piration Of his second six years
term that he would not be a candi-
date TO succeed himself in 1926.
Meantime, he had purchased Wood
lawn, on the Potomac river, a part
Of the original Washington estate at
Mount Vernon. and there he made
his home part OF each year.
Entering congress in the days Of
iron rule of republican speakers, IN
derhood had a part in breaking the
power OF Uncle Joe" Cannon and
later in liberalizing the rules Of the
house. BY his industry and energy
he had gained a place On the Judi
ciary committee and later served on
the Ways and Means Appropriations
Committees. two Of the most power
full Of the house.
Writes Tariff Act
Leadership in the house of repre-
sentatives as il is known today be-
gan with the selection Of Under