Birmingham state herald., 1896-01-28
BATTLING FOp PRINCIPLE. Not Winning Any Votes Here for Richard H. Clarke. JOHNSTON STRENGTH SAFE There Was a Small Rally of Clarke People
 Last Night. MONTGOMERY WILL VOTE FOR JOHNSTON Says Judge Richardson, Who Has Been Taking Observations There, and Ev-
 cry County in the Eighth Dis
 trict Sure for Him.
JOHNSTON STRENGTH SAFE
MONTGOMERY WILL VOTE FOR JOHNSTON

Contrary to expectations and hopes Tn some quarters, politics is quiet In BIT mingham and all the country rouho about in the land of Jefferson.
 The Johnston democratic people are going their several ways quietly, attend ing to business just as usual and smiling serenely at the efforts of the followers of Congressman Clarke to get up muss within the party, otherwise dignified by them as battle for principle"
 State Herald reporters continually hear expressions deprecating MT. Clarke's proposition to debate what he con ceiy,s to be the trouble within the party Some of these terse and pointed views have already been given, while not few which were no less emphatic in con demnation of Mr. Clarke and in approval of the effort of the state executive com mittee to clear the way for harmonious action by a strengthened and rejuve- mated party have not been given 10 print simply because the authors preferred to avoid any publicity. The real and potent truth of the effect of MT. Clarke's bold announcement and challenge for joint debate is that it is one of surprise. 1t is a theme of wonder upon what he can base expectations of strength in this county. which he has expressed himself as confident of carrying. There are some peculiar phases developing. One is that the battle for principle" is not unlikely to be turned into contest~betwecn gold standard people who support Captain Johnston and those of the, same way of thinking on the financial policy who think it unholy and highly improper not to support MT. Richard IT. Clarke A gold standard democrat rapidly counted over to State Herald reporter yester- day the names of prominent admiuistra- ton democrats here who he said could gather around them more anti-free silver democrats for Johnston than MT. Clarke could in Jefferson county.
 Judge J. J. Banks said you can quote me as indorsing the action of the state executive committee.
 John J. Moore, attorney-I am heartily with the state committee, and am op- posed to MT. Clarke whether he comes to Jefferson or not. am for Johnston.
 J. F. Miles, attorney-I was for Oates the last time; I am for Johnston now. Clarke has hurt himself badly not only in Jefferson county, but all over Ala bama.
 w. H. Stanley, president of the Trades council-Mr Clarke surely has hurt him. self by his course. He can hope for poth- ing in this district I believe nine-tenths of the laboring class are opposed to him. He has voted against every material in- terest of labor and of capital in this dis trict.
 w H. Wade, attorney-I am a single gold standard man. I was for Oates last election do not approve of MT. Clarke coming to this county, for he can do no good. He has hurt himself undoubtedly. I am for Johnston
 H. P. Hefin, attorney--Chambers and Randolph may be set down as solid and certain to go into the column of John- ston counties. The state committees work has helped us-it was wise and timely. MT. Clarke has hurt himself with his efforts which tend to stir up strife in the party.
 B. Steiner, banker-I think the state committee did exactly the right thing in adopting policy that will eomfnend itself to all conservative men. am sure they did right, too, in ealliHg an early convention. We certainly want to get rid of the load of politics we have to carry this year as soon as poSsible-get it out of the way so that we can attend to business. As to Mir. Clarke and Cap tain Johnston. am for the captain first, last and all the time. regardless of the financial views attributed to him. He has certainly shown himself a man of great business sagacity, and I believe he is admirably equipped for successful administration of the states affairs. am pretty well posted on the sentiment among the German element of our popu- lation. and you may say they share my aum1rdlIpH anu pdTtldIity TUT SdptdiH Johnston and they have been more pro- nounced that way than ever since MT. Clarke's impropriety and indiscretion in proposing to canvass the county of the candidate of their choice There are about 600 German voters here, and they are very nearly all for Johnston.
 B. Adler of Uniontown, merchant Captain Johnston will carry every beat in my county. He had fight for Perry last time but he has no warmer friends t., fI,a cfof fo hov hnr nd this time he will carry the county over whelmingly, and it's going to be the came way with our neighboring counties, Dallas and Hale
 Judge Richardson's Observations.
 Judge William Richardson and Capt. David D. Shelby, both well known attor- neys of Huntsville, stopped in Birming- ham last night en route home from the supreme court at Montgomery. Judge Richardson was seen by State Herald representative and interrogated as to his observation of the political condition just now to be confronted. He said: "There seems to be lively contest brewing in Montgomery and I believe from the in- formation given me by gentlemen who nre in the habit of being well posted that Johnston wilt carry the county II is said Captain Johnston could lose the city and still carry the county, but if ls claimed he will carry everything. As 10 my end of the state, every county Tn the Eighth district vii! go for Johnston, and would vote that way whatever had been done by the state executive committee.
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 WARRIORS FOR PRINCIPLE. With Music in Their Ears and Heroic De. terniipation in Their gosoms the Clartites Gathered.
 Hard, hard. Indeed. was the struggle and the band played on.
 About early candle light yesterday evening brass band began playing in front Of Seals hall, on First avenue. As usual the small boys crowded tn the front hut aoon ascertaining that lhere