The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-06-01
THE CANDIDATES
FAVOR A PRIMARY
J.Craig Smith, State Treasurer,
Makes Statement
He ENDORSES THE PLAN
Says If the. People Want Primary
He Sees No Good Reason Why
They Should Not Have One.
interview Is Significant.
He ENDORSES THE PLAN

Montgomery, May 31.-(Special. )-Hon.
]. Craig Smith, state treasurer and
candidate for a second term, gave an in
terview today which is by far the most
significant utterance of the campaign
for state primary. Mr.. Smith not only
declares himself for a primary, but
speaks with a certain authority for all
the other state officers who are candi-
dates for reelection, having consulted
them before saying that they agree with
him in his attitude.
Things have been going in this direction
at the state capitol for some weeks and
the declaration today is the outcome of
a belief that primary means reasonable
harmony and probably no opposition to
the administration. The administration
has seen the opposition practically aban-
don the new constitution as an issue, and
shift the issue to a state primary. Mr..
Smiths interview is as follows:
Mr.. Smith Talks.
Il have no fault to find with the con-
ventions of the Democratic party or with
their methods of making nominations and
conducting the party organization. l have
no preference between the two methods
of making nominations SO far as my own
political fortunes are concerned. But l
believe the people want a primary for
this year, at least and can see no good
reason why their wishes should not be
respected. The Democratic party has
given them a constitution with which
they are delighted It has increased the
school fund nd ha
whites who apply are being registered
and the negroes are being eliminated
There is no ground for complaint any
where against the Democratic party, and
the prospect for harmony is especially
bright unless we throw it away by re-
fusing to give the people an opportunity
to make their nominations direct. They
are the sovereigns in these matters and
their wishes should be needed. Unless
primary Is ordered I fear the party will
not escape the danger of division and
trouble here on the threshold of the new
era brought about by the new constitu-
ton. / shall do what I can to secure
primary, not because I personally have
any complaint to make against the con-
vention system, but as a measure in the
interest Of the party harmony and well
fare"
A Democratic Primary.
'Of course" added Mr.. Smith, when
1 say primary I mean Democratic pri-
mary in which the Democrats of Ala
bama can come together and select their
nominees. l would not willingly see a
Democratic primary invaded by enemies
who would go in to make trouble and
then oppose the nominees whom they had
helped to make"
In conclusion Mr.. Smith said: II have
talked with other members of the adj
ministration for some time past and | be-
lieve all those who are candidates for re-
election favor a primary and think the
committee should give the people what
1 am convinced they want"
No one is ready to give public express
sion to any opinion as to what the COM
mittee is going to do but the opinion is
all the same being freely but privately
uttered in administration circles that a
primary will be ordered. Hon. R. j.
Love, chairman of the committee, was
here yesterday on his way to Eufaula and
had a conference with the governor, and
It is surmised he brought with him some
information as to the outlook in commit
tee circles. Hon. A. NJ Tunstall has also
been in Montgomery for the past few
days.
In administration circles the opinion is
persitstently held that If primary is
ordered Governor Johnston will not be a
candidate for governor.