The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-02-26
PROVIDING FOR
 10000 BALLOTS
Estimated That $500 Votes
 Will Be Cast.
MR. PUGH GIVES INTERVIEW
This Is Evidence That Drennen's Com mittee Is Whistling to Keep Up It's Couraqe-Ward's Friends
 Are Much Pleased.

But four days. including Sunday remain before the municipal primary. Next Mon day March 2 is the day appointed by the city democratic executive committee, and as the time draws near the candidates for the various city elective offices are leav- ing no stone unturned to aid them in se- curing votes.
 The executive committee has ordered 0,OOO ballots printed, so that there will be no possible chance for any delays on Monday. It is the consensus of opinion that at least $500 voters will go to the polls and cast their ballots.
 Feeling of Confidence.
 A feeling of confidence seems to pervade the headquarters of both of the eandi- dates for mayor, and the same applies to the headquarters of the two candidates for chief of police.
 Both of the maporalty candidates claim victory. Manager John c. Pugh of George B. Wards campaign, is sanguine over the result. In speaking of the coming prl- mary last night he said;
 "The consternation caused by reports going into Drennens headquarters of the increasing daily gains by MT. Ward, and the editorial prediction of his partisan friend, the News, that Drennen had only indications of a better chance to win.' was much discussed about town today, and the eyes of the voters were opened to the true situation. To check the demoral- ization and rout of Drennens friends, his committee this afternoon raised their figures and boasted claims. It becomes more evident every day that they are whistling to keep up their courage in a loosing fight; they are almost in the groggy condition, and as a last stand have called into use their reserve argu- ment and propose to bet you No, we have no money to wager, and if we had it would not be done with the consent of MT. Wards committee, for we are op- posed to breaking the laws and have no experts about headquarters familiar with such arguments.
 Much Pleased.
 "It pleases us very much to have at ,ast touched the quick and forced Dren- nen into defense of the shortcomings of his administrations, notwithstanding the fact that he ducked joint debate to avoid this predicament.
 An estimate based upon the same character of information as received by the Drennen headquarters, would justify claim by MT. Ward of not less than clean majority of 120O but the situation is so encouraging and the gains by Ward l so hattering that this estimate would have to be changed and several hundred added within the next few days. We wish to fix our estimates from the most relia- 1 ble sources possible, and when figures are given they will be as near the result on March as it is possible to obtain. Tt is a fact that Drennen did have a poll made of the Woodward and Chali- fouX buildings. or poll was made in his interests, but because of the overwhelm- ing majorities of MT. Ward the results obtained by them has never been made public. The public would like to have these figures.
 Suffice it to say at this time that MT. Ward Is thoroughly satisfied with present conditions and prospects. and is confident of an overwhelming majority on March 7. In fact, every indication points to a land slide for Ward The opposition feel this and hence their panicky condition and idle boasts"