The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-03-01
Question of Registration of Not
ers Agitating the Aspirants.
PEARcE FAvoRs THE SCHEME
Contends That tits Only Way to Secure
Foir Election-Wan Meeting of
Executive Committee Call
ed This Week.

The first trial heat for the big mayor
atty handicap which takes place on April
4, was run last night at the race course
OF the German American union, and was
won by Mel Drennen, who came under the
wire nose In front of his competitors in
an exciting finish.
The meeting was held in Turn Verein
hall in Third avenue, and was large and
enthusiastic. President E. Lesser was in
the chair, and announced that the first
business would be the report of the COM
mittee, which was appointed at the last
meeting to see the several candidates for
mayor and get their views on certain ques-
tions.
The committee announced that 1t
was ready to report and read the questions
which had been propounded to the candi-
dates, with their answers. The report was
made without recommendation, and a full
and free discussion was had. The friends
of the several candidates made strong
speeches in their behalf and not until the
vote was taken was it known who would
receive the Endorsement The fight for Mr..
Drennen was led by Lee ]. Marx. After
the vote was polled it was found that Mr..
Drennen had received a majority, and the
Endorsement was made unanimous
The other Candidates
The question of indorsng an aldermanic
ticket and a ticket for police commission
ers was discussed and a committee was
appointed to confer with the Railroad
Mems Political club with view of con-
solidating interests in naming these tickets,
Ill I,at
izations.
Mr.. Lesser, who was indorsed for po-
lice commissioner at the last meeting of the
union, made a speech OF acceptance, in
which he extended his thanks to the Ger
man-American union and to the Railroad
Mems Political club for their support.
via Make Aggressive Fight
The German-Ameriean union propose to
make an aggressive fight in the interest
of their candidates and on motion the chair
appointed the following campaign commit
tee: d. S. Bandman, e. Peterman, Lee j.
Marx, A. Stockmar, Henry Behrens, M.
Karpees, H. Hentschel, e. c. Bloombergh,
Zeke Solomon and F. Rathenhoper
On motion the meeting adjourned subject
to the call of the president when the report
VI LIS COluLnillSC oh SoilSiShSO WIN ~ -
ceived
After the meeting a number of Mr. Dren-
mems most enthusiastic friends called upon
him and notified him of the endorsement
he had received at the hands of the Ger
man-American voters of Birmingham.
W. ]. Pearce the campaign manager for
Gu of Primary
Hon. Ross c. Smith, is in favor of requir-
ing the voters who will take part in the
primary to register. He says that the pri-
mary election will be the main election, of
course, and to prevent fraud all voters
should be required to register.
To do this it would be necessary for a
meeting of the city executive committee to
be held some time this week. The most
favored plan now is for the registration to
start on March 20 and end March rs. This
would give the candidates a week to look
over and examine the poll lists.
The schedule meeting of the committee is
for March II. At this meeting the plan of
the primary will be discussed. A commit
tee will be appointed In few days to frame
this plan.
Several clerks were busy all day yester-
day at Mr.. Smiths headquarters and it
could be seen that campaign was opening
in earnest.