The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-08-07
NEWS OF CENTRAL CITY
POLITICAL CAMPAIGN IS IN
 FULL SWING.
Race for Members of the Board of Revenue of the Greatest In- terest-Pettus and Bowie
 Endorsed.
Advertiser Bureau,

Advertiser Bureau, Selma, Aug. 6. The meeting of the Democratic Execu- tive Committee of Dallas County in the Hook and Ladder rooms in this city yes-
 terday was the signal for the opening of
 the local campaign all along the line. It
 was expected that those who wanted the
 members of the Board of Revenue nomi- mated by districts instead Of by the vote of the entire county, would make a fight
 in the committee, but they did Lot do so.
 The bill, passed by the last legislature.
 returning to the people the right to select
 their own Board. was so drawn that
 one member would have to come from
 each of the four divisions of the county.
 This was donc so as to give each sec-
 tion of the county representation on the
 Board, and they were made elective by
 the entire county so as to prevent inde-
 penderts from springing up in the diff
 ferent divisions. after the rominee of the
 party had been chosen. There were some
 who contended that each division had the
 right to nominate its candidates and put
 him up for the rest of the county to vote for.
 Chairman w. W. Burns asked Colonel H. s. D. Mallory for his construction of
 the law. written opinion was read
 from Colonel Mallory and ne took the position that as the entire population of the county was to vote for members of the Board of Revenue at the general Move mber election. he thought that the entire Democracy of the co-lty should participate in naming the candidates, just so the law was compiled W. h and one man was chosen from each of the four grand divisions. When Colonel Mallory's opinion was read there was no longer any fight made along that inc and each voter who goes to the polls an. deposits his vote on the 18th of August will have the right to vote for four members of the Board
 Since the new constitution gives to the Boards of Revenue or Commissioners Court the power to transact sll local legislation for the different ct unties in Alabama. these places are being sought after by the very best men ai.d lively scramble is now going on for the places in Dallas. In the Southside district there are three candidates announced, J. A. Minter and Miles Hardy of Oldtown beat and Robert Meyer of rilden. 1here is some talk of Robert Hamilt on of Pleas ant Hill becoming a candidate, ut those closest to him do not believe that he will run.
 A. c. Coats announced yesterday again"t Colonel A. J. Martin of the West Dallas district It was thought for a long time that Colonel Martin ", uld have a walkover and a considerable political furry was created when MT. Coats made it known that he was to become a Candi- lot ia nf hD wealthiest landowners and merchants in Central Alabama and has been mem Der of the Board for many years. MT. Coats is a planter and stands high for honor and integrity wherever he is known. He will make an active canvass of Dallps and the fight between these two | promises to be lively.
 Sam Lacy, a young planter, is measur- | ing swords with Dr. w. c. Phillips, the | present member from the Fork district | while Captain S. M. Kirkpatrick, who | represents the city, is as yet without op- | position. There were a good many quiet | rumors affoat today. however, tEat there | are several dark horses tied out, and | that he Is liable to have opposition in the | next forty-eight hours. Who the dark | horses are cannot, at this time De sur missed
 The contest for members of the Board of Revenue has overshadowed all other issues and the candidates for the legis- lature are playing second fiadle.
 No formal effort was made to test the strength of the gubernatorial candidates in the committee, but 1t was wei known that the sentiment was overwhelmingly for Governor Jeks Several members of the committee informed your correspond ent that there was not a Johnston man in their beats. The Johnston men in Selma are talking a great deal and making all sorts of wild claims. Some of them even go so far as to claim the county for Johnston; others say he will get 750 votes, but this is being done to influence other sections of the State. Conservative men, who look at the situation in a perfectly manner think that Governor Jelks will carry the county by vote of five six to one. This estimate seems to be pretty generally concurred in. Now and then an enthusiastic Johnston man, either for a bluff or from over zeal, will bob up with a proposition to bet, bu he generally wants all the odds in his favor and your correspondent has not heard of any but few small bets being made even at odds. The Jelks men in Dallas have heretofore let the Johnston men do all the talking, but the friends of the present Chief Executive now propose to get to- gether in dead earnest just to show the other fellows how big majority they can roll up.
 The sentiment in the Democratic Ex- ecutive Committee between Jelks and Johnston was shown yesterday when the resolution, unanimously en- dorsing Col. H. s. D. Mallory, was passed:
 Be 1t resolved by the Democratic Ex- ecutive Committee of Dallas County that the name of Hon H S. D. Mallory is hereby presented to the rest of the Fourth District as a suitable Dem 1crat to be elected a member of the State Executive Committee from said district. This committee takes pleasure in com his course during the years he has so faithfully held the responsible po- sition as member of the State Committee, and urges his reelection"
 It was generally known all through poi tical circles all day yesterday that Ma jor D. NJ. Scott who is managing Gov ernor Johnston's campaign in Dallas, would run agairst Colonel Mallory as a member of the State Committee Major Scott Is an elegant gentleman and num- Ders his personal friends by the score, not only in Dallas. but throughout the state, and he was in the committee room when the above resolution endorsing Col ,nel Mallory was passed but no test as o the strength of Johnston and Jelks in