The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1902-06-03
OR
NO PRIMARY
Statement of Mr.. Smith
Causes Discussion.
CANDIDATES INTERVIEWED
Heflin and Bulger Believe
People Want Primary.
Hon John v. Smith Says His Views
as q Committeeman are Un-
changed--state Officers Do
Not Talk.


The declaration of Hon. J. Craig Smith,
State Treasurer, in favor of a. Demo-
cratic primary for the selection of nomi-
nees for State officers this winter, as
morning. was the principal subject Of dis
cussion in political circles Sunday and
yesterday.
There were men who professed to see
in the announcement of Mr.. Smith that
the State Committee would undoubtedly
order a primary. 1t was pointed out that
Mr.. Smith Yoke as the representative OF
the Democratic candidates and that the
members Of the committee would be will
ing to serve the wishes Of the candidates
of the party. particularly of those WHO
are without opposition.
On the other hand members OF the COM
mittee expressed themselves as un-
changed on the proposition and one of
them. Hon. John v. Smith, himself a
member of the State administration. de-
clared that his views as a committeeman
expressed in an authorized statement sew
eral weeks ago had undergone no change
He said further that he was opposed to
q primary and would work against 1t
until the committee had decided the ques-
ton. Then of course he would abide by
the action of the committee
Hon. Thomas L. Sowe1l. State Auditoc.
and a candidate for denomination. said
he had made 1t clear all along that he
was willing to stand or fall with the de.
cision Of the State COMMITTEES. Beyoho
Hon Charles G. Brown, Attorney-Gen-
eral, who Is not a candidate for renomi-
nation, said he did not care TO make
any public statement on the subject.
Governor Jelks and Hon. John w. Aber-
crombie State Superintendent of Ednca-
ton, both of whom are candidates FOR
denomination, are absent from the city
in attendance upon the commence ent
exercises of the State University at tuss
Hon. Robert +. McDavid, Secretary of
State. who Is not a candidate for renomi-
nation, Is in Birmingham.
Hon. j. Tom Hefflin. WHO was In Mont
gomery yesterday morning en- route from
his home in Lafayette to Tuscaloosa,
where ne will deliver an address TO the
Alumni Association of the state Uniyer-
a member of the State Democratic Com
mittee and accompanied the announce
ment by a statement that he Is In favor
of a Democratic primary.
Being a member OF the state a. T1 ecu
not felt that propriety allowed me to
speak on the subject. / am candidate
for Secretary of State, and as usual IN
such cases. have forwarded my resigna-
ton as a member of the committee to
Chairman Lowe. 1t will be accepted. Of
course, and ] am, therefore. now free to
speak. AS Democrat L will cheerfuily
abide by and support the decision OF the
committee. 1 believe. though. that ma
jority OF the people want primary. and
that being so. they ought TO have 1t.
gree with State Treasurer Smith that
primary Ii necessary in the interest OF
Democratic harmony. and believe furth-
err that the committee Is going to order
primary"
Hon. Thomas l.. Bulger Of Tallapoosa
who Is candidate for state
of Education was in
yesterday. He reiterated his
statement In support of a primary made
10 The Advertiser several weeks ago.