The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-02-19
ALL ARE UNITED
ON TOMLINSON
From the Entire State Come Endorse
mentS Of His Candidacy.
WILL SURELY BE APPOINTED
Unless all Signs Of the Political Zodiac
Are in Error.
HALF OF DEMOCRATIC NEWSPAPERS
OF Alabama are Urging the Free Silver
Leader for Railroad Commissioner
Reasons Why He Should
Be Elected.

Montgomery, February. 1S.-(Special.)-
Since the disposition of the commissioners
court bill, the railroad commission fight
is the all-absorbing question here. There
are all sorts of rumors. The governor,
however, is saying nothing. He will, in a
judicial way, pass on the endorsements of
the different candidates, and announce his
decision on Monday. 1t is stated every
where that John w. Tomlinson will GER
tainly receive one of the places. His en-
dorsement is overwhelming; more than
four fifths of the democratic state execu-
tive committee, more than a majority of
the democratic county chairmen, and more
than half of the democratic newspapers of
the state have strongly endorsed him,
which, as there is a candidate from nearly
every county in the state, is a very strong
showing. Today many of his friends in the
house and in the senate called on the gov
ernor in his behalf. At the same time
friends of other candidates were not idle.
1t is observable that the fight is good ma
tured and no bitterness has been engen-
dered.
No Fight on Jefferson
All talk about Jefferson having too many
ofi.srs has been stopped since the edi-
torldI in last Sundays Age-Herald called
attention to the fact that the last DEM
ocratic state convention, the supreme pow
er OF the party, gave Birmingham the at
torney-general when she already had the
governor and a railroad commissioner, and
that the appointment of Mr.. Tomlinson in
the place of Mr.. Ross Smith, who is now a
candidate for mayor of Birmingham, would
only be allowing Birmingham to keep what
she has and is entitled to as the railroad
center of the state.
Party Services Remembered
1t is also being urged by Mr.. Tomlin-
sons friends that he deserves the appoint
ment for party services; that he was Sc
lected by a conference of democrats at
Birmingham in 1895 as a member of the
national democratic bimetallic committee,
at which more than hundred prominent
democrats attended, among them peing
such men as Johnston, Crook, Pugh, Lowe
Bankhead, Stallings and others. How well
Mr.. Tomlinson performed his duties On
this committee in organizing in Alabama
in giving his time and means to the cause
has been recognized and mention IN the
splendid endorsement accorded him by the
press of the state. From all indications
it is certain that Mr.. Tomlinson will re-
ceiye one of the places. AS to vino Will
get the other place, it is hard to say, but
it is believed to be between three men.
Judge Aston ketires
There was a new move on the political
chess board tonight by which there is one
less prominent candidate for railroad COM
missioner At the afternoon session the
senate by a vote of 16 to passed the house
bill providing for a supernumerary Judge
| for the state whose duty it shall be te
answer any summons of the governor t6
| hold a special term of court or to serve
where any Judge or chancellor is disqual
| flied The position carries salary OF
| s., 600 per annunm.
Tonight Judge A. H. Aston, of Barbour
| a leading candidate for railroad commits
| sioner, withdrew from the race and is nov
| a candidate for supernumerary judge Judg'
| Aston is one of the strongest men In tn
wire grass section and his nomination II
| almost a foregone conclusion. He is {
| staunch free silver democrat, without an,
| prefixes There will be joint caucus o.
| the house and senate held Monday or Tues
| day night for the selection of a candidate.
| KERSH.