The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-07-31
Both Had Unexpectedly Made Same Dates at Linden
 and Selma
P {. BOWMAN MAY BE
 ON HAND 10 MEET CLARK
From Headquarters of Former Gov. ernor Johnston Is Issued a State ment Explaining Why the
 Joint Debate Is of.

The published statement that Col. R. H. Clark of Mobile and former Governor Joseph F. Johnston would meet in joint debate In Marengo and Dallas counties next Friday and Saturday caused eonsid- erable stir about the headquarters of the two factions yesterday. It also eaus- ed an official denial to issue from the Johnston headquarters, the statement be- Ing made that Mir. Johnston would meet none other than his opponent in the cam paign.
 Colonel Clark is considered one of the most powerful men on the stump in all Alabama. and should he meet Captain Johnston in a joint discussion, the meet Ing could not fail of interest.
 It seems not to have been prearrang- ed that Colonel Clark and Captain John ston should meet in debate, but it so hap pened that both speakers have been bill- ed from the different headquarters to speak in the same towns from the same platforms at the same hour. Sim ultaneously. 1t Is asserted, advertisements appeared In Marengo and Selma papers to the effect that the two orators would speak in the courthouse at Linden at II o'clock Friday and in the court house In Selma at Il o'clock Saturday. From the headquarters of both factions yester- day, 1t was learned that neither side knew of the appointments of the other. Hew- ever, when the advertisements of the Clark appointments were read at the Johnston headquarters the impression seems to have prevailed there that the Jelks committee intended to force di- vision of time between Colcnel Clark and MT. Johnston, and after consultation with their chief 1t was announced that there would be no such joint discussion, but If Colonel Clark insisted upon speaking, that Mir Johnston would remain silent, and ask P. G. Bowman of Birmingham to discuss matters with Colonel Clark.
 The managers for Governor Jelks stated yesterday that when the appointments were announced for Colonel Clark at Linden and Selma that they were un- aware that MT. Johnston had fixed simi- lar dates for those points. and that they expect their representative to fill his dates regardless of any nction on the part of the other acpirants.
 The following statement relative to the tangle was issued from the Johnston headquarters last night:
 Johnston's Statement.
 "Governor Johnston's friends had made arrangements for the governor to speak at Linden and Selma Friday and satur- day next. When this became known, the friends of Governor Jelks announced that R H. Clark would follow Governor John- ston and address the same crowd at the same place without having asked Gov ernor Johnston's consent. and without invitation. If Colonel Clark insists on this discourtesy, 1t is understood that the gov ernor will not speak but that some one of Governor Johnston's friends will chal- lenge Colonel Clark to a joint discussion. P. G. Bowman of Birmingham will be on hand to meet Colonel Clark should the latter insist on being heard at Governor Johnstons appointment"
 At the Jelks state campaign head quarters in the Metropolitan annex an air of confidence prevails, and while they dc Lot claim every county In the state, conceding that they will have to make hard fight in Marshall and few other counties in North Alabama, they state that there is no doubt of the elec- ton of Governor Jelks by an overwhelm- ing majority. Favorable reports con- tinue to come in from every section of the state.
 Chairman Asbury Thompson of the JeIks county campaign committee states that the county is in line for Jelks. Jelks clubs were organized last night at Bes- semer, with membership of 70 at Ems ley, with membership of 175, and at Adger with membership of AS. Chair man Thompson states that he will thor oughiy organize clubs in every precinct in the county and every voter will be personally approached on his attitude to- ward the candidates.
 Claiming Entire State.
 At the Johnston headquarters in the Morris an air of equal confidence is man. ifested. When asked what counties in the state they expect to carry. the invariabie reply Is: "We concede no county to Jelks. We expect to carry north Alabama solid, and we expect to carry the black belt, in- cluding Jelk's home county of Barbour. We will sweep the state from the hills to the gulf"
 Charles F. Waller leaves today for west Alabama to open his campaign in that section. He states that he is confident of the nomination for lieutenant governor. When asked regarding the prediction of Dr. R. M Cunningham at the Auditorium Monday night that if he and Johnston were elected and a vacancy occurred in the United States senate from Alabama during their administration that Johnston would be the senator and Waller the gov ernor. he replied:
 "I have entered this contest without promises or pledges. and I am bound by no 'unholy alliances of any character. think the people of Alabama believe me to be an honest man. My record in the public service Is an open book, and I in vite investigation"
 MT. Waller will wind up his campaign in Jefferson county.
 William W. Brandon. adjutant general of Alabama ;s in the city. Colonel Bran- don has just returned from Mobile. where official duties have kept him for several days. He said last night that he expect ed to take an ective part in the guber- material contest, and he will make a num- Der of speeches in behalf of Governor Yall