The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-04-04

Mr.. CraWfOrds Statemehb
Chairman w. W. Crawford, of the pri-
mary committee, gave out the following
statement when told of the charges of
fraud that had been made:
1.-THE committee has done every thing
possible to insure fair primary. 1t mas
given each candidate for mayor representa-
ton at the polls and II has acceded to every
reasonable demand made by Mr.. Drennen
and his friends. He has a manager and a
clerk at each box. The committee could
not possibly allow each candidate running
for Office an inspector or watcher Inside
the voting places. This would mean Is or
80 men inside the polls, besides the repre-
sentation that has already been provided
for there. / don't remember a primary that
has ever been held under such plan.
Such a mode would cause no end OF wrang-
ling, and 1t is doubtful IL an election could
be held II every candidate were allowed to
send his friends inside the polls. Certainly
Mr.. Drennen has no right to complain for
he already has q clerk at 60 ch box which
was more than he had a right to demand"
In reference to the Drennen circular. Mr..
Crawford commented on the fact that only
four out of the probable fifty candidates
had signed it.
ITO have placed" said he, "a represent
ative of each candidate In the box would
have certainly resulted In fraud, and posi-
bly, a riot"
When asked about the matter Manager
Pearce said that II was one for the COM
mittee to discuss They were gentlemen of
established reputation for honesty, and Mr..
Drennen's charge was reflection on them.
He saw no objection to the plans for the
primary, and saw no reason why a fair
election could not be held.
The Hebrew Circular
Mr.. Smith and his managers were at
campaign headquarters until midnight. The
greatest confidence prevailed and Mr..
Smiths friends feel that they have moth
ing to fear.
Asked about the Hebrew circular which
the Drennen people have circulated, Mr..
Smith said:
"Mr. Drennen and his friends have
charged that / have tried to bring re-
ligion into politics. This Is clearly
falsehood. No attempt at coercion has
been made or thought of. II some over
Jealous partisan of mine distributed a
few OF them to the Polish Jews, can't
see why I should be held responsible
for it.. Mr.. Drennen was very quick to
= discaim; any responsibility for utter
ances of Mr.. Bowman which he thought
calculated to iniure his campaign. /
have never attacked Mr.. Drennen for
his action in this matter.
1.-THE Drennen people have made much
ado about the matter, and have placed
every false construction possible upon
1t. But then this is not the first false
impression they have tried to create.
1t has been circulated that had
pledged several offices to friends who
are working for me. / could not pledge
an office if I attempted to do so, be-
cause II elected mayor / would have
only one vote on the board of aldermen.
If elected mayor today ] will go into
Office without having made any pledges
to any man.
Myself and friends feel perfectly con-
fdent of success"
Rabbi Newfield's Statement
Rabbi Newfield of Temple Emanuel gave
out the following statement in regard 10
the circular:
I am, of course, very Indignant that
such a circular was printed and circu-
lated. If it Is true that Mr.. Ross Sr,lth
and his people had nothing to do with
the printing or circulation of the card,
as they have assured me and as / be-
iieve, would consider II very unjust
and wrong for any man, who had here
tofore intended to vote for Mr.. Smith,
to change his vote on account of this
circular. With the establishment of the
fact that Mr.. Smith was responsible for
,ne circular 1t would be an injustice to
him to vote against him on that ac-
count. feel this way about 1t and
have SO spoken to members Of the Tem-