The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-09-12
BURNETT SEVENTH
 DISTRICT NOMINEE
Declared Such by the Demo-
 cratic Executive Committee
C0FER AN INDEPENDENT
VIII Make Race Against Burnett and Expects to Wln--PopulIsts and Republicans May Combine
 On a Candidate.

Congressman John L. Burnett was de- clared the nominee of the democratic party for representative of the Seventh congressional district at a meeting of the democratic executive committee held in Birmingham yesterday morning. At the same time the committee was re-organ- ized
 Those present at the meeting were: O. B. Hood of Etowah, chairman; L. l.. Herzberg. secretary; E. R. Davis of Cherokee. John A. Inzer of St. Clair, B. J. Cowart of Winston, H. B. Henry pres ent with proxy of W. c. Rayburn of Mar shall, J. A Wilson of Franklin. present by proxy, Charles P. Smith of Etowah with proxy of W. H. Burnett, and MT. Patterson of Marshall.
 The old committee was reelected with but four exceptions W. H. Burnett on account of removal from the county was not reelected. MT. Rayburn was not re- elected. nor was MT. Jones or Mir. Davis. Mr. Hood was reelected chairman of the committee and was authorized to select campaign committee and take charge
 
 A Large Vote.
 The vote In the primary election was 5454-more than half the number which elected MT. Burnett at the last election. MT. Burnett was present and stated that he was confident of reelection, no matter whom the republicans placed in nomina- tion. He said he felt assured that his vote would be much larger than any ever received in the past and that no oppo- nent could make the matter at all doubt full.
 w. T. L. Cofer of Cullman, one of the most prominent workers for the cause of former Governor Johnston. has, an- nounced as an independent candidate in opposition to Congressman Burnett. He was in the city yesterday and stated he would make the race and that he ex- pected to make personal canvass and win.
 The republicans have not named a can didate so far. nor have the populists, and an effort may be, made to fuse the inde- pendent interests with the two other in- terests opposing the democratic nominee. Yesterday Mr. Cofer was in Birmingham and called at the office of William Vaughan. district attorney, with whom he was ip conference for some time. MT. l Vaughan is recognized as the leader of republicans In this state, out the result of his conference with MT. Cofer was not made known.
 Effort to Consolidate. | W. s. Forman, a populist of St. Clair county and probate judge of the county. was in Birmingham during the day. He stated an effort was on foot to fuse the republicans and populists at least The two parties will have district convention in Attalla September 2S. He made no mention Of cofer's candidacy.
 their churches and by the aid of the col- ored miners in the Birmingham district end the colored mechanics and laporers to solicit such sum of money for this praiseworthy work as will show the white people of tho state that the col ored people have a home for the coiored boy, and desire to reclaim him from crime and make him good citizen. They hope that after this showing that the white people of the state will come to their relief, and that philanthrorists in the north may be induced to give them substantial financial aid in educating the wayward colored boy In some useful trade or vocation.
 Want Legislative Aid.
 "They expect also to ask the state legislature to enlarge the charter powers given them under their incorporation and also an appropriation of such sum as they may see proper to support and carry on this institution.
 These negro ministers seem to be deeply interested in establishing a re- form school for the colored youth of Alabama. The tendency of population Is now from the country to the cities on account of the cheapness of labor upon the farm and the high price of labor in the cities. As a result the children of the working people in the cities are more neglected and consequently more easily drift into idleness and evil asso- citations. The statistics as collected by criminalogists show that 80 per cent of the criminals come from the ex-conyict and neglected child These two classes are on the increase in the state of Ala bama as our industrial interests multi ply and as our citizenship Is brought more closely together in manufacturing towns and districts. It would be well for our lawmakers and our philanthroplo citizens to give the question of restrain ing the youth, both white and black. from the tendencies of criminal life serious consideration.
 Some of the leading states are meet ing the question of the wayward boys in idleness upon the streets by compulsory school laws and the kindergarten"
 HOLDS COURT TONIGHT.