The age-herald., 1899-03-28
Formal Letter VIII Likely Be
 Sent Today PARKER 4 SMITH SUPPORTER Drennen Men Hold Rally in
 Ward 1. THE COMMISSARY QUESTION Miller Said He Did Not Believe in Such Institutions, But the Law Should Be Changed and Owners
 Not Abused
THE COMMIssARY QUESTION

The three features of the municipal cam-
 paign yesterday were a Drennen rally near
 the rolling mills, the decision of Ross c. Smith to challenge MT. Drennen for a joint debate, and the public announcement of Alderman John l.. Parker that he would support MT. Smith in his race for mayor. Alderman Parker has been considered a
 Smith supporter since his retirement from the mayoralty contest, and yesterday he gave the following statement to the press: Since my retirement from the race. 1 which was due solely and entirely to the
 causes have previously mentioned in pulp
 lie print have carefully considered how I should cast my vote as between Smith and Drennen, and I have determined to vote for MT. Smith, believe the city's interests
 will be well cared for In his hands. He is a young, active intelligent and progress sive citizen, and will make proper repre- sentative of the city on all occasions. Both Smith and Drennen are my personal friends, but l found myself compelled to choose between the two, and, all things considered I have decided to vote for Smith," Meeting at Smiths Headquarters
 The ward committees held joint meet
 ing at Smiths headquarters last night and
 after the routine business was transacted
 several speeches were made. Among those
 making addresses were H. B. Gray, A. G.
 Smith, John c. Pugh, D. A. Green, Rich
 ard F. Johnston, w. H. Kettig, D. K
 Campbell, Judge Garretson, s. L. Weaver
 George c. Whatley and Captain F. P.
 O'Brien.
 After the meeting it was given out that
 MT. Smith would challenge his opponent
 for joint discussion on the issues of the
 campaign. A letter will probably be sent to MT. Drennen today and the plan is to
 have the speaking in the open air on some principal thoroughfare.
 Manager Pearce said that the reports of
 the ward committees were eminently satis- factory.
 "In one ward" said he, house to
 house canvass shows 262 voters for Smith,
 5S for Drennen 40 non-committal and 150
 yet to be seen. We are getting such re-
 ports from every ward in the city" The GambilI Issue
 Six months ago it was predicted by poli- ticians that A. A. Gambil, the street and
 poll tax collector, would be the subject of
 much comment in the city campaign. It
 was alleged that his methods of collecting
 taxes were not pleasing to the public. An effort was made to oust him at the last election held by the board of aldermen for city officers. Three aldermen of those
 present voted against him and the remain ing ones in the affirmative. Those who voted against MT. Gambill were represent atives from the wards where the labor ele- ment predominates. At Smith headquar- ters 1t is said that two of the anti-Gambill
 aldermen are for MT. Smith for mayor. MT. Drennen's friends have charged Smith and his supporters with favoritism to Gam bill at the same time attacking the tax
 collector. MT. Smiths friends answer this
 by alleging that Alderman Drennen has
 voted for Gambill three different times. Drennen Rally in Ward Drennen rally was held in the First ward last night and about 100 voters were present. The meeting took place in vacant store in First avenue next to Four teenth street, and was well liquidated with freshly tapped beer. The beer arrived little ahead of the speakers and the crowd quickly gathered and proceeded to enjoy themselves while waiting. Speeches were made by MT. Allen, Mr. Miller, Tom Ca son and several others. Seats were ar
 ranged by placing blanks across empty
 beer kegs, the speaker being provided with an empty pine box.
 From this pedestal MT. Allen opened the meeting with short pointed speech on the issues of the campaign. He began his
 remarks by saying that 1t was fight be- tween two young men, one of whom was politician and the other a business man. Tt is not the man who says the hardest things about the other," continued MT. AL len, 'who appeals to the voters, but is the one who shows the best intentions of run ming clean administration
 .'Mr. Smith can't be mayor unless he gets the votes. They're going to be count ed this time and the man who polls the
 largest nuRber of votes is going to be may or This has not always been the case as you all know. There hasn't always been fair elections in Birmingham I say to you now that if you can't get your vote count
 ed you are no better than the ignorant ne-
 groes in the black belt" (Applause) Mr. Allen then said: "They are accusing MT. Drennen of great many things that
 are not true, and there are some unfair
 paign. They came out in their organ The
 News, and raised a great cry as to who
 shall sell groceries to the city, etc. The bills
 that were sold by Drennen\& Co. were
 sn tad 1xM Mr t,1