The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-02-28
viii Not Suffer An Opponent
Among Them,
CANDIDATES COMING OUT
Talk of Race Overshadowing the
MayoraIty Contest.
RUMORED CHANGE IN THE PLANS
1t is Said That the Governor Wants
Them Selected by Convention Hon.
Robt. J. Lowe is Considered an
Avowed Candidate.

Avowed Candidate.
The mayoralty contest seems doomed to
share divided public interest For two or
three weeks pending bills in the general
assembly at Montgomery have distracted
the public of the city and county, and now
that the legislature has adjourned without
day, comes in the matter of Delegates
from Jefferson to the constitutional con-
vention.
The general public yesterday seemed
more interested in the convention than in
the matter of the mayoralty. They talked
about the former more, and appeared to
almost lose sight of the very important
question as to who shall succeed Frank
v. Evans as mayor of Birmingham.
The governor of Alabama is in the city,
He came up from Montgomery Sunday
night. The object of this visit Is not
known. Why the ge5ernor did not come
7 UP Saturday to spend Sunday with his
family is question of some interest. Why
he remained over yesterday is matter of
further interest.
governor johnston IS Sdlu 10 De Out lor
"b-l-u-dp-the red gore of those who dare
to oppose his progress towards the undis-
puted Tsardom sAaeama.
Governor johnston nau- :.
= pei Jefferson county td351.EasFs<s ri
delegation to the constft1tiIa4 - ~
ton, so the story goes. He WI -
suffer any opponent of his to sit
= amongst those who are to frame the or '
ganic law. 1t is a proud proposition
"a singularly defiant one, In view of the
existing temper of the public mind in
Jefferson county.
VIII Try and Change Plan
There is rumor current that the gov
ernor intends to try to induce the county
democratic executive committee to change
the plan of nominating constitutional con-
vention delegates from primary election,
as already provided, to a county conven-
ton; but In official party circles nothing Is
known of any such proposition. There has
been no call for an extraordinary meeting
of the county committee and the only way
to bring about such meeting would be for
the members who voted for primary to
petition the chairman, or failing that for
a majority of the committee to formally
request that an extra meeting of the COM
mittee be called. Neither step has been
taken, and there is no Indication at the
moment that either is in contemplation.
Effect of Governors Stay
This is the fact of the situation at this
instant The effect of Governor Johnston's
II. Ia.
ton with his friends is problematical.
Nothing more The public may be taken
into the governors confidence today, to-
morrow, or next week. Meantime his ex-
cellency is playing his own game; and he
appears to have adopted the methods of
the immortal Joseph Bagstock-he is sly,
sir-devilish sly!'
The governor might take counsel of his
fears now, if he ever has the discretion to
entertain fears. For years he has been in
the minority in Jefferson county, and his
following here was never before so small
as 1t is now.
Candidates for the Convention
Meantime there is public talk of numerous
candidates for delegates to the constitution
al convention. Presumably they are neither
for or against Governor Johnston-they are
merely for the convention. But In truth,
The Age-Hera1d reporter is not authorized
to speak for any candidate; and it is
doubtful If any candidate is taking part for
or against the governor.
AS to who will be candidates for dele
gates, that is not definitely known. 1t is
practically certain, however, that Hon.
Robert ]. Lowe, chairman of the state dem
nd taa
chairman of the jefferson county demo-
cratic executive committee, will be a cam
didate, and Mr.. loves nomination is
conceded In advance. His official position
in the party and his eminence as a man Of
public affairs assure his nomination.
Whether he will elect to seek representa-
ton from the Jefferson senatorial district
or from the county he has not yet himself
determined.
Senator Cunningham will ask to be chosen
a delegate, and his request of the public
is in no sense likely to be denied. 1t is
believed that Mr.. Lowe and the senator will
amicably agree that their aspirations shall
not conflict.
There can be no reasonable doubt that
Mr.. Lowe and Senator Cunningham will be
two of Jefferson's seven delegates.
Likewise it seems to be assured that Reu-
ben f. Kolb and John p. Tillman will lie
delegates. The concensus of public opin.
ion is in their favor.
Reference to the announcement column
of The Age-Herald will demonstrate that as
yet no man has declared himself to be
candidate for delegate. But ii Is under
stood that amongst those who desire to rep
resent Jefferson at Montgomery are:
ROBERT j. LOWE.
RUSSELL M. CUNNINGHAM.
JOHN p. TILLMAN.
WILLIAM H. benson.
EDWARD H. CABANISS.
ROBERT H. THACH.