The age-herald., 1901-12-10
Political Gossip from Capital

Montgomery, December 9.-(Special)- Guessing at the probable candidates Tor the Democratic nomination for Governor in 1902 furnishes amusement for many of the politicians about the capital dur ing their off moments these dreary after moons.
 The word amusement is here used ad- visedly for it is fact that the averaged politician who becomes accustomed to entering the secret door of the holy of holies' in the north wing of the capitol building is amused the very moment any suggestion is made of opposition to the candidature of Hon. William Dorsey Jelks. It can be added here that the governor himself does not anticipate strong opposition, for the reason, as he puts it, that he believes the people of the state will be willing to reward an ef- ficent and faithful term in office. There can be TO douht that the present Gov ernor is trying to come up to these ac- quirements and so far he has succeeded to the apparent satisfaction of all the people ir the state.
 The supporters of Governor Jelks do not fear opposition from their opponents, as they do not seem to believe that man of sufficient strength can be found in the state who is willing to undergo the risk. But if there is tc be opposition they would like very much to know it's per sopality, calibre, etc. Almost every one anticipates opposition however, and that Is why they spend whole afternoons in gut ssing who will be wAling to lay him. self upon the altar for sacrifice. Some | very strong men have been mentioned as probable candidates, and there is but little doubt that overtures by the John ston- Shelley combination have been made to sometof these, but there is no evidence of fruit from such oyertures.
 Interesting rumors have been heard about overtures from the antis being made to Richard H. Clarke of Mobile, | William c. Oates of Montgomery and George P Harrison of Lee to lead their forces in opposition to Governor Jelks. These rumors come from such sources as to render their authenticity practically l without doubt. All thu ee of these distin- | guished Alabamians have been in Mont l of them talked Governorship it has not come to the surface.
 | The talk about General Harrison becom- ing a candidate has been indulged in for several months-since the adjournment of the constitutional convention. At that time General Harrison would not discuss the matter, preferring to wait until the result of the ratification election was known Some people took this to mean that in case of the defeat of. the consti- tuition General Harrison would announce | his candidacy, but those entertaining such | thoughts were put to guessing when he offered his services to Chairman Under wood and began vigorous campaign for ratification. His old time friends do not believe that he would agree to become l the candidate of the new ring, and conse- quently he is not much talked of as can didate.
 | There is a rumor to the effect that Col onel Clarke was quick to turn the back of his hand to the suggestion of his ac- cepting the leadership of the opposition. Colonel Clarke was the candidate against Johnston for the Democratic nomination
 
 most severe campaigns the State Demo- cracy has experienced. He was supported by many of the same men who are now aiding Governor Jelks. They are the men with whom he has always taught and he has not announced his intention to quit their ranks.
 General Oates letter to General Shell ly in reply to an invitation by the latter to be present at the birth of the anti movement gave rise to the belief in some | quarters that General Oates was in sym pathy with the movement and it's friends | openly asserted that an attempt would | be made to have him make the race for l governor against Mir. Jelks. It is not | known if such overtures have been made to General Oates and it probable never | will be known General Oates friends, | however, say that he has no desire to | again become governor and that his only | political ambition is seat in the United | State Senate The suggestion of the name Of E. L. Russell of Mobile for the gover- norship deals with this ambition. fnas- much as it suggests a combination with | Russell for governor and Oates for Sena- tor. local leader in the ranks of the antis said today that this was a probable combination and he thought 1t the strong | est to be effected by his side.
 MT. Russell Is perhaps the strongest
 man in the State that the Johnston
 Shelley element could place in the race He has been prominent figure in State