The age-herald., 1900-11-12
The Contest is the AIl-AbSorb-
 ing Topic
ARE THREE AvOWED CANDIDATES
General Harrison May Announce Other Contests Are Not Lo Sight of Many Members Arrived
 on the Scene

montgomery, NoVemDer l1.-(Speclal) - With practically all of the candidates pres ent, Montgomery is truly political Mecca just day prior to the assembling of the General Assembly of Alabama.
 The Senate presidency Is the all-absorb- tng topic as there is no other contest of especial State interest.
 What gave promise few days ago to be a walkover for one candidate tonight seems a close race. The possibility of the Senate president ascending to the chair of Chief Executive of the State may be as- signed as the cause of this condition. There are practically four candidates for the po- sition, though the candidacy of only three Is avowed They are Senators Jelks of Bar bour, Rather of Morgan and Meador of Marengo Gen. George P Harrison of Lee Is the probable candidate, and to his rivals a dangerous one. General Harrison reached the city tonight in company with number of his home friends. He said that he would not determine before tomorrow whether to announce his candidacy, but added very significantly that should the announcement come 1t was sure to follow that he would be-the Senate's next president. General Harrison's friends say that his strength 
 a majority, and that other recruits are probable for tomorrow. Senator Jelks still seems to be the favorite in the contest, and he and his friends are claiming an easy victory Senator Rather stated tonight that he considered his chances equal with any other candidate, adding that in his opinion no man had the position "cinched."
 Senator Meador could not be seen tonight
 .i,, ne headache and retired early that he might be equal to the morrow's task. His friends claim for him good prospects of success.
 Tonight-a prediction as to the new presi- dent cannot be made with a pledge of &C., curacy.
 The Speakership.
 The contest for Speaker Of the House does not promise much interest. The pre- ponderance of opinion is that Francis l.. Pettus of Dallas will win easily. Mr. Pet tus arrived in the city tonight He said that he was satisfied with the condition Of the contest; that he was certain of four fifths of the votes. w. F. Hogue of Perry, who is opposing MT. Pettus, is also here. He was asked concerning the contest to- night. MT. Hogue stated that he was still in the race; that so few of the House mem- bers had arrived that he had not yet cluded a canvass. There are scores of candidates for minor positions present.
 For secretary of the Senate and clerk of the House, Fillmore Garrett of Calhoun and J. c. Adams of Dale, respectively, are with out opposition. For assistant secretary of Ine Senate, J. A. Kyle of Jackson, MT. Sowell of Escambia and F. I. Purifoy of Tuscaloosa are contesting. Each of the candidates are here. Colonel Johnson of Cullman, candidate for reelection as door keeper of the Senate, is also present Prom inent among the lobby figures two old Confederate soldiers each of whom left a limb upon the battlefield. They are Robert Hason of Etowah and John T. Fain of Dale. They seek reelection as doorkeeper and assistant doorkeeper of the lower House, and both are unopposed. J. N. Williams O. Barbour is unopposed for reelection as enrolling clerk of the House.
 Lively contests are being developed in races for solicitor of the Gadsden City Court and judge of the Tuscaloosa City Court The candidates are all on the scene, and their several friends are working with a vim.
 Leaders Present.
 There are many leading Democrats from over the State here tonight. Among them are noted: Congressmen Bankhead, Under wood Clayton, Bowie Wiley and Thomp- son, State Chairman Lowe, Treasurer-elect