The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1902-01-14
Discusses Article in Register
and Declares He viii. Not
Be in the Race
NO CONFERENCE YET HELD
Johnston Talks Freely So Far as His
Name In Connection With Fresh
GubernatorlaI Honor Is Con-
cerned--CoI. Russell.

Former Governor Joseph F. Johnston
denies that he will be a candidate for
Governor this year. t48
The Mobile Register, in the article here
ton touching the Ex-Governor and Demo-
Gratis who opposed the ratification of the
constitution
"Rumor has it," says the Register
that the object of former Governor Jo-
seph T. Johnstons recent visit to Mobile
was to confer with his friends here with
regard to the future action of those men,
bers of the Democratic party who OPP
posed the adoption of the constitutional
faction known as the Shelley-Johnston
Democrats. 1t had been the announced
purpose of this faction to make its influ-
ton being to capture the Legislature and
carry through that body for submission
to the people certain amendments to the
constitution. -
This plan has since been enlarged, so
it is reported, and the effort will be made
to elect an entire state ticket. The only
question to be solved has been that of
selecting the man to run for Governor
A number of persons have been taken
into view and their chances OF success
canvassed; and the one great difficulty
has been to find an available man who
is also willing to lead fight inside the
party. The whole matter is said to have
slmmered down to a point where it Is
evident that but one man can undertake
the task, and that one man is Captain
Johnston himself. The report that
reaches us is to the effect that Captain
Johnston recognizes this and Is preparing
to announce himself as a candidate.
When Governor Jonstons attention was
called to the article last night a care
said 1t was the first time he had seen it.
rs there anything in it," was asked
Nothing" was the prompt reply.
'Then you are not thinking of running
for Governor again.
"Emphatically, I am not. 1t can be
stated positively that 1 will not be in
the race"
"Will Governor Jelks, in your opinion,
certainly have opposition in the coiiven-
tion?"
Humanity speaking, yes. There will be
one, probably two or three Democratic
candidates, for gubernatorial honors.'
Asked to name the prospective candi-
dates, Governor Johnston replied that he
could not say positively that this or that
man would run. He simply felt sure that
somebody would announce against Gov
ernor Jelks.
There has been no conference in re-
lation to candidates so far as I am
aware said Governor Johnston. There
may be such a conference later"
1T is thought by some that General
Harrison will run and that Colonel Rus
sell will also rum" continued. the ex-
Governor. II would not be surprised to
see both of them announce, but as 1 have
said, I know nothing"
Governor Johnston said he heard some
people had suggested that the anti-rati-
fication Democrats would eventually
land in the Republican party; that they
were starting out as the late Senator
Malone did In 1877 or 1878, "Such notion
as that is very absurd" protested the
Ex-Governor. I'VE are Democrats and
will remain Democrats. And our. fights
will be inside the party organization"