The age-herald., 1901-04-04
PRESIDENCY IF THE CONVENTION
  MT. Knox, General Oates and Mir. Lomax Candidates. MUCH SEETHING POLITICS Talk of the Day Was That MT. Knox Stood Best Chance To Be Presi- dent of the Constitutional
 Convention.
MUCH SEETHlNG POLITICS

It has been long since there was sucn bama in Birmingham as took place yes terday in response to the summons from Chairman Lowe for the State Democratic committee to meet here.
 Politics, politics, politics, there was pol itics to spare. United States Senatorship, Congressional representation, Governor ship, and almost every other high office was considered, discussed and variously reviewed; but the most live subject of all was the presidency of the forthcoming constitutional convention, there being great many nominees for delegates pres ent and a great deal of electioneering done by the presidential candidates or their friends.
 All three of the leaders who are de- clared candidates for the distinction of presiding over the able body which shall frame the organic law, namely, John B. Knox of Anniston and former Governor William c. Oates of Montgomery both nominees for the State-at-large, and Ten nent Lomax of Montgomery, nominee Tor the Montgomery Senatorial district, who was first of all to be announced for the presidency.
 MT. Knox.
 This will be MT. Knoxs first elective office, his membership of the convention. Although young man, he has been for many years an active worker in the Dem- ocratic party, one of it's most influential young leaders and in 1896 was chosen chairman of the State committee of the party, of which he had long been an ac- tive member. He served as chairman un- til 189S when he was succeeded by Robert J. Lowe, the present chairman, elected for the second time in 1900. MT. Knox is one of the most eminent lawyers at the bar of Alabama.
 It is very generally believed that he will be chosen president of the constitutional convention, the chances for the honor appearing to be strongly in his favor. At least, that seemed to be the prevail- ing opinion amongst the visiting public men in town yesterday.
 General Oates.
 General Oates served fourteen years in congress and dozens of times was called upon to temporarily preside over the house of representatives. a duty for which he showed peculiar fitness. He served one term as governor of the state, from 1894 to 1896, and was appointed a brigadier general in the Spanish American war. So far as public experience goes, that is, the higher experience, General Oates will be easily the first man in the constitutional convention.
 Tennent Lomax was made secretary of the state democratic committee when he was mere boy, place he adorned for many years and until his election as the states solicitor for. Montgomery, county, an office he has held for fourteen years and which he still holds with consummate ability. He is accounted as one of the ablest men in Alabama. and Is young man of commanding influence.
 MT. Lomax's Vote.
 It is argued by the political gossips that the vote of South Alabama may be most ly divided between General Oates and MT. Lomax in the contest for the presi- dency while the vote of Northern Ala bama will be almost solid for MT. Knox, and will be strong enough to insure his election. The contest promises to be most inter- esting one.