Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-01-15
FOR THE OLD TICKET
Kolb Again to Be a Candidate in
Alabama.
BEGINNING TIE CAMPAIGN EARLY
Contest for the Democratic Nomi-
nation.
A LIVELY CANVASS ASSURED


nouncement that he was SUCH He has
only said that he would accept the nomi-
nation were it rendered him by the demo-
cratic party.
His friends feel sure that the nomination
is his If he but announces his candidacy,
but 1t is said they have discovered that
Col. Oates silence on that point has been
construed by many to mean that he does
not desire the nomination, and will there
fore not be a candidate.
1t is probable that Judge William Rich
ardson of Huntsville, a distinguished North
Alabama democrat, will also soon enter the
race for the gubernatorial nomination. He
has a large following among Tennessee
valley democrats, but owing to the fact
that he comes from a remote section Of the
state. he is looked upon more in the light
of a possibility than probability.
This same rule applies to Mayor Rich
Of Mobile, who is an avowed candidate.
He is a leader among young democrats in
extreme South Alabama, but his leader
ship does not extend beyond his immediate
section Of the state.
The Fight for the Nomination.
The real contest for the nomination lies
between Col. Oates and Capt. Johnston.
The withdrawal Of either would undoubted-
ly mean the nomination Of the other. With
both In the race, the contest will be a
lively one, and the race very interesting
and close.
Capt. Johnston was a candidate for the
nomination in $780, when, by a combination
Of forces with Richardson, Crook and JONES'
the last-named was nominated over kolb.
who was. up to that time, the strongest
man in the race, but lacked q dozen dele
gates having enough to nominate him.
Next to Kolb. Capt. Johnston was the
strongest man. but Jones had to be select
ed in order to defeat Kolb, as all Of Jones'
delegates were instructed to vote for kolb
on second choice, and had Jones withdrawn
from the race in favor of Johnston or any
body else his strength would have gone to
Kolb. and the latter would have received
the democratic nomination. The combina-
ton was made to defeat kolb, and on that
account the kolb men delight in referring
to Governor Jones as his accidency."
Until very recently, when assurances
have been received that Col. Oates will
positively enter the race. Capt. Johnston
has, to all appearances. had the CALI on
the nomination. He stands nearer the JEFF
fersonian democrats or kolb wing of the
party than any other prominent democrat
&c leader, and 1t has been argued that were
he nominated, as he is an anti-Cleveland
and free silver man, and comedies, to a
great extent. in his views on national issues
with the kolb faction, a great many Kolb
men could be induced to vote for him.
Johnston, few days ago. declined re-
election president of the Alabama Ma
tional Bank of this city. of which institu-
ton he has been the head for years. i'm or
der to devote all his time to his canvass for
governor. He is a very active political
worker, and was. at one time, chairman of
the state democratic campaign committee
His free-silver anti-Cleveland views are
drawing card among the alliance men, as is
also his hearty Endorsement of an income
tax. Should he get the nomination, he
would undoubtedly make serious inroads
into kolbs ranks on account of these prin-
ciples. Many democrats contend that as the
race between the regular democratic nomi-
nee, whoever he may be, and Kolb is sure
to be very close with the chances, perhaps
favoring kolb's election. 1t Is the duty of
dawn pv~lfC tn aivpof
account of his views on the issues Of the
day, can draw largest from Kolb's strength
and thus be able to save democracy from
defeat. 1t is set forth that Capt. Johnston
is the man who can do this.
Col. Oates candidacy is being pushed by
the old line democrats. that is, the admin
istration faction of the party, those who
favor Cleveland and are opposed to free
vertiser, the leading morning newspaper
in Alabama, Is the champion of this fac
tion who are termed the 'ins.'' Col. Oates
is an uncompromising democrat. and If
he Is nominated the fight will not be on
conciliatory line, as 1T would be were
Johnston the nominee, but will be war to
the knife between the regular democrats
and the kolb wing. The alliance which
makes up the principal part of Kolb's fol-
lowing. has fought Col. Oates bitterly and
he has returned the compliment oy de-
nouncing some of their leaders in his dis
trict In bitter terms.
be&unn1n8 tne F1Knt EARLY.
The democratic leaders have determined
not to be behind their opponents in OPEN
ing up the campaign. The Kolbites and
populites will hold their state conven-
ton in Birmingham on the Sth of next
month. Chairman Smith of the democratic
committee has called a meeting of that
body for Montgomery on the I'D instant
to decide upon a time and place for holding
election does not occur until the first Mon
day in August. 1t has been the custom OF
the party heretofore not to hold the state
convention until early in June. But as the
contest this year will be the bitterest ever
known, both sides have determined to open
the battle in order to present the issues
well to the people. Therefore, the demo-
cratic convention will probably be held
during the latter part of March or early
in April. This is the opinion of Chairman
smith.
1t Is a foregone conclusion that the con-
vention of Kolbites and populites which
meets here February 8, will nominate Kolb
for governor. with the same ticket that ran
with him in 1892. County conventions of
the Jeffersonian democrats the Kolb
wing call themselves, are being held now
in all parts Of the state In every instance
the delegates are being instructed to vote
for Kolb and the old ticket. The county
conventions of the populists are taking
similar action. The Kolb faction OF the
democratic party and the populists pooled
issues last November. when the execu-
tive committees of the two parties met here
agreed upon a basis Of cooperation, if not
actual amalgamation. and called the joint
state convention referred to above to be held
in Birmingham February s, to put out a
Joint state ticket.
The Kolbites and populites are already
making a very active canvass of every nook
and corner of the state. They have in
fact been holding cross roads meetings
and going from one farm house to another
in their zeal for Kolb's candidacy for the
past three months Their leaders declare
that they have raised sl5O,0OO as a fund
with which to conduct their campaign
Some of the most fiery of these leaders de-
clare further that they propose to buy
$4,000 worth of rifles and ammunition
with which to protect the poles on election