The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-07-13
IRtimates However That His
Name VIII be AnnOunc-
ed This Week
MANY THINK THAT THE
GOVERNOR WILL RUN
Captain Johnston Talks to an Age
Herald Reporter and Incidentally
Opens Letter Asking Him
to Run for Governor.

Governor William D. Jelks is to have
opposition in the Democratic primaries
on August 25 for the nomination for Gov
ernor of Alabama.
This statement is according to the ex-
Joseph F. Johnston, who Is supposed to
be the most formidable rival of the pres
ent Governor. Captain Johnston was seen
at his home yesterday afternoon by a
representative of the Age-Herald, and
In answer to the direct question as to
whether he would offer as a candidate
for the nomination for Governor, he re-
piled by stating that there would be
candidate against Mr.. Jelxs. Further than
this Captain Johnston refused to make
a statement for publication. He init
mated, however, that whoever should
decide to become the candidate against
Mr. Jelks would make positive announce
ment during the coming week.
There has been much speculation since
the action of the Democratic committee
in ordering a primary as to whether Gov
ernor Jelks would have opposition. There
seems to be no doubt on this proposition,
and it is now merely left for the specu-
lators to guess the name of the opponent.
Johnston May Run.
While Captain Johnston has not adj
mitted that ne will be a candidate. there
is little room fer doubt that he will an
nounce his candidacy during the coming
week. His language and manner yester-
day were such as to leave little doubt as
to his real intentions.
Captain Johnston was found engaged
with his daily mail, and during his talk
with the reporter he became SO enthused
over the coming contest as to take
dozen letters from his desk and read the
contents aloud. Several of these letters
contained solicitations for Captain john
ston to become candidate. He read
them with evident relish, but was always
cautious not to give expression as to, his
future intentions.
Delighted at Primary.
Captain Johnston DECLINED to express
his views as to the order by the state
committee for "a primary further than to
say that he was delighted that the adj
vocates of a primary had won Il have
not read carefully the provisions for the
primary, and cannot therefore, give an
expression of approval or disapproval,"
said he
He was interested in a discussion as
to the probable candidates against Cow
ernor Jelks and seemed inclined to the
opinion that in case there should be sew
eral aspirants for the nomination that
no one could win in the first contest. He
thought that in the run OFF, Governor
JelSs would lose out.
There were all kinds of rumors to be
heard yesterday as to probable candi-
dates for Governor. A close personal
friend of former Governor Johnston ex-
pressed the opinion that the former Gov
ernor would not become a candidate, but,
on the other hand, there would possibly
be a half-dozen candidates against Gov
ernor Jelks.
Probable Candidate.
This gentleman thought that possibly
Emmett O'Neal of Lauderdale, George
p. Harrison of Lee, Charles e. Waller
of Hale, William A. Handley Of Roa-
noke, w, w. Quarles of Dallas and 9TH
ers might announce against Mr.. Jelks,
and so divide up the vote as to prevent
a nomination in the primaries on August
rs. In this instance he thought that the
next thigh man. would prove an easy
winner in the run off
The friends of Governor Jelks do not
even listen to these suggestions, but
claim that their faverite will win in the
first race with ease. They claim clean
administration for the present Governor,
and state that the opposition have no
grounds upon which to attack him.