The age-herald., 1897-10-05
BALL ROLLING l
Judge Sharpe Formally Announc-
 ed for Justiceship.
ANOTHER CONTEST IS ON
Judges Shape and Head Have Each Voted the Party Ticket. But Think the Money Issue
 Has no Place in Their Race.

The announcements or the canuludcy of Judge J. B. Head and Judge Fl. A Sharpe for places on the supreme bench In the Age-Hera1d of Sunday morning, created quite a buzz of excitement among the politicians and members Of the legal fraternity.
 The candidacy of Judge Head was not unexpected, but the announcement of Judge Sharpe came as a surprise to the majority of his friends in Birming- ham and the state at large. The promi- hence of beth gentlemen lends much interest to their candidacy, and already their friends are at work shaping the campaign.
 Judge H. A. Sharpe is a man over the average height, of somewhat slsn- der frame, yet square -sheuldered and evidently with the raw material of an athlete. Self-respect, yet not arrogance, is shown in his demeanor. Courtesy. yet not the subservience of the prospect i've office-seeker marks his intercourse with all.
 When seen yesterday by an Age-Her- ald reporter he announced positively that he was a candidate for the asso- cialte justiceship, and went on to say: T favored the platform of the democratic party in the last. national election. Then the free coinage of silver was demanded by the party, and I worked and voted for it. The office to which I aspire be- irg n-poHtical, I shall not attempt to define in advance of the coming con- vention what should be the policy Of the party in future campaigns"
 Judge Heiad, when requested lasit night ito give am expressGoin of oIdnfon as ito whether on nIdt rau1onal fsues of the democratic pla;fonm should be elimlnalt- ed from the sibsIte campaign, said:
 1T decline to speak om that question ats cam not see how itLlte Issue is dnvofv- ed in my earldidacy for the supreme court of AlaIbania."
 lWlgen asked fIow i1e voted irr rIhe last elections the judge neplied: 'T voted the demcoraglc tickea with Bryan at the head of it. | have alwayts alslded 'the party's platform since I cast my first vote for Seymore amId Blair in 1868, mo matter what my indsvpdual views were. Without gdlng into details wlll recall my aouion in standdlng by the regular panty monGnee i'm the Warnoclz- Van Hooss corltess1 for mayor, when MT. Van Hoose was a close personal friend of mine.
 Judge Head wals asked Whether or rlot he believed this goverrbmead could mlain- itan ithe bi-mettallic standard dndepend- elntly at a ratio of 16 ito 1. He decMned ito discuss lihe question at all.
 Judge Head is apparently in batter hsalth than he has been for a long time past. He is tall, clean shayen, with prominent features, and while rather thin, possesses considerable vitality. He fras issued the following announcement of his candidacy:
 To the, People of Alabama:
 It will not, hope, be deemed improper for me thus to make known to the peo- pie of the state that, if have senved lHeIn IdFIHluiy diiu WEI oS 1ii epSo'S-~'NS justice of ths supreme court, l would be gratified to receive their recognition of the same by reelection at their hands. I will, therefore, ask to be presented to tn convention of my party for re-nomi- nation.
 I regret that at an early period of my present term there was some delay in a pant of my work by reason of illness; however, it was only matter of delay, for by devotion of my vacations to ar- duous labor the tins lost has long since been recovered.
 At this time my hea1th is such that I have no cause to apprehend any further interference by sickness with the prompt discharge of the dutiss of judge.
 Very Respectfully,
 JAMES B. HEAD.
 The candidacy of Judge Sharpe for the supreme bench has precipitated a con- test for the office of senior judge of tha city court which will be made vacant in the event of his nomination for the higher office. Already two candidates have announced themselves for this of flee. They are Judge w. w. Wilkerson, who is now junior judge of the city court, and C.. R. Harsh, of the law firm of Bowman & Harsh.
 The candidacy of Judge Wilkerson will in turn create a contest for the off, flee he now occupies.
 MAYOR EVANS RETURNS.