The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-06-26
CAFFEE'S CANDIDACY
STATE HOUSE OFFICIALS DO NOT THINK MUCH OF IT.
If caffee Carries Beat, I'll Stand on My Head in Red-Hot oven," Says
 One.

ernor, I'll stand on my head in a red | hot oven."
 This statement made yesterday by a
 well informed public man. who is some
 thing of wag, fairly indicates the views
 of State officials and other Democrats in
 Montgomery and at the State capitol,
 regarding yesterdays announcement from
 Birmingham.
 This announcement was a surprise to
 even Judge Caffee's intimate friends in
 Montgomery and at the State capitol.
 said they could not offer an explana- ton of his course.
 The present political situation in Ala l pama IS closely watched by, public men.
 Friends of Governor Jelks and his admin
 istration are naturally alert. Governor | Jonnston, who is supposed to lead the
 opponents Of Governor Jel1s and his ad- | herents. are equally as watchful of the ! administration Governor Jeiks being a candidate for the Democratic nomina ton
 Tor Governor, it has all along been ex-
 pected that the friends of Governor
 Johnston would have one or more can | pose Governor Jelks
 It has been understood that the oppo- nents Of Governor Jelks, or the anti Constitutionists. would induce Governor | Johnston to become a candidate Judge A. E. Caffee of Birmingham, has been
 classed as one of the devoted political
 friends and admirers of Governor John
 ston. He is serving as a Railroad Com | missioner by appointment of the Birm- | ingham ex-Governor, and is also editor | of The Alabamian, a weekly newspaper
 in which Governor Johnston Is said to | be interested.
 That Judge Caffee should announce himself candidate for Governor of the | State, and declare in his card that this action was wholly without the advice or knowledge of Governor Johnston. is I beyond understanding. if being believed that Governor Johnston and Judge Caf- l fee were as close in their political af- | filiatioh as the Siamese twins. A report has reached Montgomery, however. that sweet peace does not hover over the quarters of the Johnston faction any more. It Is said that the serenity which once pervaded the sanc- tum of The Alabamian has flown far away. and all is now confusion therein. This report has it that a storm had been brewing several weeks over the house of Johnston and the house of Calf fee. The storm broke in all it's fury the | report goes. by Governor Johnston. acting as one of the owners of The Alabamian, denying to Judge Caffee the right to open and read letters which reached the office | of The Alabamian
 The son of the former Governor, p. D. Johnston is business manager of the ] weekly newspaper venture, and it is said | the former Governor declared with that peculiar emphasis that characterizes him, that E. D. Johnston should open the mail | or there would be no mail, or words to l that effect
 Judge Caffee then got mad, so the story goes. He had been the editor of The
 Alabamian, it is said he declared. He had exerted all of his great influence and editorial facility in demanding a primary | in Alabania Moreover, it is said, he in dicated to Governor Johnston, that he,
 Judge Caffee. was leading the movement
 instead of the former Governor. After delivering himself of these re-
 marks. it Is said Judge Caffee pondered. Then he decided to become a candidate for Governor of Alabama. He would show Governor Johnston that he. Judge Caffee, was something of leader. The announcement followed.
 Opinion of public men is divided as to
 the meaning of the announcement, how ever.
 Watch the course of The Alabamian"
 said one we'll known Democrat yesterday
 and you'll find out which is the boss.
 Johnston or Caffee."
 This Democrat, who is a friend of the
 Jelks administration. predicted that the
 announcement of Judge Caffee for the
 Governorship would bring out the an-
 nouncement of the candidacy of Gov ernor Johnston within a week.
 One of the best known Democrats of Autauga County. who was in Montgom- cry yesterday. expressed his great sur prise at the announcement of Judge Caf- fee
 He has been i'll some time" said this Autauga County man. And I fear he does not understand the real sentiment in Alabama I am his friend. and I am sorry to read his card. He could not carry beat in Autauga County, ano I doubt if he could do much better ir Lowndes County, his old home. am political friend of Governor Johnston, and l believe the card of Judge Caffee was as great surprise to him as 1t was to me"
 A Montgomery County farmer, who takes considerable interest in politics, and | is friend of the new constitution. said:
 Judge Caffee is uncertain in his poli- | ticse Of course no one treats his candi, l dacy seriously. and he should know he | has no strength. Personally I am of the opinion that his announcement is the | result of a desire to see the opposition to the present administration do some. thing. Judge Caffee couldn't carry beat in Montgomery County"
 personal friend. but political oppo- nent of Judge Caffee, who is well in- formed on the political situation, gave it as his deliberate opinion that Judge Caf- fe assumed that he had himself won a victory for a primary election in Ala bama.
 "He has worked himself up to such pitch" said this gentleman that he ac- tualTy believes the people want him tc run. Any one reading his card can see It was the result of impulse and was i'll !"
 State officials and other public men about tho capitol yesterday refused to discuss the candidacy of Judge Caffee | Some of them advanced the I opinion that it was the result of split oetwen Governor Johnston and Judge Caffee. Others said Judge Caffee was always extreme in his views and hasty n his treatment of public questions.
 He seems to have reached the conclu ,ion to go it alone" said one official and shouting "I'll be the goat he shies his ,astor In the ring. There is absolutely 10 political significance to the announce nent as I see it" There are others, however, who do not l believe there has been any split between 1 ! Judge Caffee and ex-Governor Johnston.
 That announcement" said one of these 1 appears to me to be designed to draw orth other candidates; and believe that , when such other candidates are drawn ; ut, Judge Caffee will withdraw in favor [ f Governor Johnston"