The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1902-04-13
POLITICAL CHAT
FROM THE CAPITAL
Two Views on Calling of a Gen.
eral Primary
REVIEW OF CANDIDATES
Crop Is Very Large, But the Most IN
terestlns Announcement Is That
Hon. Willis Brewer Will Prob
ably Enter Arena Again.
REVIEW OF CANDIDATES
BY E,E. kERSH.

7
political situation at the state capital
that has existed since the first paragraphs
relative to the present campaign APP
reared. All of the state officials, from
Governor down through The list. who
will ask the voters for another term do
not appear to be disturbed over the out
look, and as a mater of fact there is no
good reason why they should. Their adj
mirers from over the state tell them that
sill talk OF a state primary and hot
campaign is all newspaper rot" that
the people are not discussing political 'af-
fairs, snd are really taking no interest
since the new constitution guarantees
white supremacy for a least the next
quarter century. II this be the true con-
dition, where Is there cause for alarm?
But are the officials being wisely ad-
! vised as to actual conditions? Men who
come in touch daily with representatives
of both the elements of the Democratic
party in the state say that the advice
offered by the administration lieutenants
is not at all correct. The people, they soy,
are in earnest In their demands for a
fair primary to nominate state ticket.
and that refusal on the part of the state
committee to grant this demand will, in
all probability, lead to secure trouble,
and one of the hottest and bitterest cam
paigns ever waged in the state.
Campaign May Be Exciting.
Speaking Of the situation, Democrat
who has given much wise advice in party
counsel, gave this version this morn
| ing:
Until the state press began a unani-
nous demand for n state primary, l had
thought that we were not to have an ex-
citing campaign this year. but now things
appear different. 1 have talked with
number of prominent men from various
sections of the state within the paet few
! days and many of them assert that the
failure to get primary may lead to
q factional fight ir the November cleo
ton such as the state has never expert
| enced.
II believe 1t to be the purpose of the
| anti-constitutton element to demand OF
the state committee a primary to name
the state ticket, and should the commit
tee refuse and order convention, why
the antis with all the strength they can
muster will refrain from participating in
the beat and county primaries, but select
ing by mass meeting or otherwise tiok-
ct, they will carry the fight before the
people In the November election.
But let US suppose that this version Is
incorrect and view the situation differ
entity I am convinced that the admins
tration is now very popular and the lead
ers have nothing to fear from state
| primary. As a matter Of fact, they may
be stronger in fair primary than before
a convention.
Would Have No Issue.
I'm case the state committee should
order a primary, the Observation-Disclosures
element would have no issue on which to
go before the people. But on the other
hand, If a convention is ordered, the anti
administration element would at once
| charge the administration with dominat-
ing the committee, and refusal to grant
| each white Dem ocrat an equal voice in
saying whom he desires to hold the
Yeigns of government for the next four
! years to come. Unless / have read in
correctly public sentiment, the ants
would stand strong chance to capture
| a convention with this ISSUE
Gubernatoriai Race.
| 1t is now very generally conceded by
leaders of both factions that the con-
test for the gubernational nomination
will be made with Governor felix's on the
one side and former Governor Johnston
on the other. This condition does not ap-
pear to disturb the supporters of Gov
ernor felix's, as they confidently assert
| that they can win an easy victory As
matter of course, the friends of Captain
| Johnston take a different view of the
! situation. They rely in a marked degree
upon the ability of their chief to perfect
organization quietly. Possibly not with
in the states history has any public man
| been found who Is the equal of Captain
Johnston in the organization of men by
artful letter writing. In former cam
| paigns, however, party machinery has
been worth much more to a candidate
than all other qualifications.
Other Contests.
Barring the Governorship there are
several other contests which promise to
be brimful of exciting interest. 1t appears
that the entries for the attorney general
! ship are all in, with four strong candi-
dates included in the list These are
| Hon. Alex M. CARRIER, the brilliant Tai
ladega lawyer; Hon. James q. Cobb. the
| learned Macon jurist; Hon. Alexander
! Noy of Montgomery. prominent lawyer
and many years secretary of the State
| Bar Association and Hon. Massie Wilson
| of Clarke. leading lawyer and parliament
| tartan and prominent for a decade in
| legislative bodies. 1t Is expected that
| each of these candidates will have
| strong backing.
Gkrhere are also four avowed candidates
SJr secretary of state. including Col.
James L. Tanner. the popular Birming
| ham lawyer; Col. William c. Bib. promi-
| nent lawyer and legislator of Montgom-
| cry; Hon. Frank N. Julian of Colbert,
secretary of the constitutional conven-
| ton, and Mr.. Walter A. Given, prominent
| merchant and member OF the State
| Democratic committee from Madison. 1t
! is also quite probable that Hon. J. Thos.
Hef1in of Chambers, 1.-The William j.
! Bryan of Alabama" will enter this con-
| test A pretty contest is imminent.
| Possibly next in point of interest will
| be the contest for superintendent of edu-
| cation Hon. John w. Abercrombie has
served the state in this capacity with
great distinction for two terms and he
! had determined to ask for third term.
| Mr.. Abercrombie, with the assistance of
| the General Assembly has accomplished
quite as much for the public schools of
| Alabama In four years as had been &C
| complished in the previous quarter CEN
| t,,rv and he is enthusiastically endorsed
| nv MANY teachers Hon. Thomas l. Bull
| ger of Tallapoosa has also entered TINS
| contest and his faithful. untiring work
| in behalf of the public schools OF the
| state through two sessions OF the Cen
eral Assembly and in the oonstitutionai
| convention gives him school record
which will furnish ready impetus TO MS
| candidature.
For Lieutenant Governor.
4 IA1e