Birmingham age-herald., 1894-09-22
In the Fourth District, but Is Still Ready to Fight
 for the Cause.
An Insane Woman's Action. Turns Fire Bug for Re- Venge--A Treat for
 Christians.
AGE HERALD BUREAU,

SELMA, Ala. Sept. Fl.
 There was fiutter among the politicians and mem bers of the press in Selma today whcn it was known that Mardis l.. Wood, the democratic nominee for congress from this (the Fourtb) district, had wired let ter to Dr. Ayers, chairman of the congress sional committee, offering his resignation and asking that another democrat be nom- mated.
 The rumor was kept secret except amoug the close friends of MT. Wood and the newspaper men.
 The cause of the resignation is said to be reasons of private nature. All who know MT. Wood are well aware that no fear of defeat could have weighed in his decision. He is not one of the kind who fears the enemy, and the true cause of his resigna- tion is a question that cannot be answered until some further development.
 This morning he wired the following letter to the chairman of the committees: Hon. T. W. Ayers, Chairman Democratic Congressional Committee Fourth District of Alabama, Jacksonville, Ala.-
 DEAR SIR: On the 4th instant the democratic convention for the Fourth dis trict named me as the democratic candidate for congress in this district.
 The nomination was great honor. 1t was highly appreciated and was accepted in good faith. Democrats in all parts of the district have given me assurances of their hearty support. No democrat, so far as know or have heard, has expressed hls h. tention to withhold his support from me in Novem Der.
 At no time have had doubt of my elec- ton, and have none now, but Tor reasons that are purely personal and which did not exist at the time the nomination was made prefer to remain in the ranks of the party and to do whatever can for the promotion of others.
 For this reason, and for this reason only, l hereby resign my candidacy for congress and ask you to take the proper steps to have named another democratic candidate in this district.
 That the candidate named by our party will be elected does not-admit of a doubt. In advance pledge my hearty support.
 Beyond expression am grateful to all the democrats of the district for the em- ph expression of confidence in me im- piled in the nomination for this high place. can never forget the partial and per sonal friends whose zeal for me has gone beyond brothers. Respectfully yours
 MARDIS l.. WOOD.
 It cannot be learned who will be a candi- date from this county for nomination in Mir. Woods place.
 AN INSANE woMAN'S WORK.
 The fl re alarm was turned in from the Fourth ward this morning at II o'clock, to which Selma's efficient department promptly responded. The cause was dis covered in Bakers quarters, adjacent to the Selma Oil mills. The flames were soon extinguished on arrival of the engines. The blezs originated in one of Bakers cot tages and was the work of an insane woman in attempting to destroy her neighbors.
 A TREAT FOR CHRISTIANS.
 The religious work committee of the yM a e (yh rie a aaqO1jqtiOn nf fhIq city has arranged a programme for next Sunday afternoon which is looked forward to with interest by the church -goers of Selma. The meeting will take place at the First Presbyterian church. MT. F. |. Willis, state secretary, and H. P. Ander- son, international secretary for the south, will be present. Mr. Anderson will ad- dress the meeting, and MT. Willis, whose magnificent tenor voice is known to the people of Alabama, will sing a solo. MT. w. H. Smith will render selection on the cornet. Music will be furnished by the regular choir of the Presbyterian church. A general invitation is extended to the public.
 MT. Sprott Bridges is chairman of the committee which arranged this splendid programme, and in so doing he only added another testimonial to his sterling worth BE one of the leading members of this worthy association in our state.
 DON'T BE AFRAID, COLONEL.
 CIANToiI Sept. 2.-[Special. .]-The dec- lination of Mardis Wood seems to boost the populists here. Colonel Knox, chair man of the republican convention, prom ises that H. Dudley Coleman of New Or- leans and Gen. Thomas L. Rosser of Virginia will canvass this district for Aldrioh. The colonel adds that the dis trict will tote it's skillet.
 JOHN NJ. CALDWELL A nm
 FOR THE NOMINATION..
 lANNIsToN, Sept. 21.--TSpecial. News oi the resignation of Congressional Nominee