The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-11-27
INTEREST CENTERS
 IN 4 SUCCESSOR
Announcement of Judge Sharp
 Causing Much Talk
HE RACE WILL BE LIVELY
A Number of Prominent Jurists In Ala bana Are Anxious to Succeed Justice Sharpe on the Stu
 preme Court Bench.


 The announced decision of the Hon. Hen " A. Sharpe not to stand forre-election to the supreme bench has caused much gos- sip in state house circles today Judge Sharpe is very popular official and his retirement from the bench Is very much regretted He makes no announcement as to the cause of his decision, but his intimate friends have known for some time that he was consdereing this action. In fact, it was rumored some two years ago that he was considering the matter of resigning his position that he might return to the practice in Birmingham.
 It is understood that when his present term expires about a year hence that he will return to Birmingham and begin the practice of his profession.
 Successor Discussed.
 The retirement of Justice Sharpe from l the bench brings renewed interest to the race for the positions on the bench which are to be filled in the general election next year. It had been generally thought that all five of the present members of i the court would stand for reelection, leaving the two newly created positions to be filled from outside asprants. It is 1 generally believed that seven or eight l prominent lawyers will be in the race for ] these positions, and it is rather suspected that Judge Sharpes decision may induce l others to get into the contest. For n- I stance. there are very few people at the 1 capitol but that expect to see some Jeff ferson county lawyers ask for one of the jobs. Just who this man will be is, of course, not known, but the names of l Capt. James F. Webb and II. C. Sel- hemer are being discussed.
 Other Candidates.
 The other outsiders who are looked up- on as probable candidates are Chancel- 1 Tor R. B. Kelley of Anniston Chancellor ". H. Simpson of Decatur former Judge Richard w. Walker of Huntsville Capt R. T. Simpson of Florence. Capt. W. L. Martin of Montgomery, Judge N. D. Denson of Lafayette, Judge John c. An derson of Demopolis, Col Allen H. Mer- I Till of Barbour, Judge A. D. Sayre of Montgomery, Judge Thomas W. Cole l man of Eutaw and perhaps others. It is understood that in case Judge Coleman l enters the contest he will ask for the l chief justiceship opposing Judge Thomas l N. Mcclellan.
 The members of the supreme court who | are candidates for reelection are Chief l Justice Thomas N. Mcclellan, and Asso- ciate Justice John R. Tyson of Montgom- cry Jonathan Haralson of Dallas and James R. Dowdell of Chambers.
 Supreme Court Decisions.
 Thanksgiving day was rather dull one at the capitol little business being transacted in any of the departments. 1.-The supreme court held a sessioI in tbe morning and rendered the following de- cisions:
 Mcclellan, c. J.-Sarah A Jones vs. T. l.. Kennedy, appeal from Chambers chancery court reversed and rendered 1 IQ1Ii1I I ys. J. H. Acker. appeal from Shelby cir cult court; reversed and rendered.
 Haralson, J.-John w. Hunnicutt vs. B l Higginbottofn, appeal from Cleburne county court; affirmed.
 Tyson, J.-P. c. Walker vs. W. K Terry, receiver, appeal from Jefferson ehancery court; affirmed.
 Travellers Insurance company vs. A. J. Brown, appeal from Jefferson chancery court; affirmed.
 Lige Williams vs the State of Ala bama, appeal from Lee circuit court; | affirmed.
 | Sharpe. J.-Western Union Telegraph company vs. Michael Brocker. appeal from Mobile circuit court; reversed and | remanded.
 William A. Stephens vs. John D. Head appeal rom Cleburne circuit court; af- frmed.
 Dowdell, J.-Alabama Great Southern company vs. J. c. Bonner appeal from Jefferson circuit court; reversed and re- handed
 Mayor and Aldermen of Birmingham Vs. Georgia Durham, appeal from Bir- mngham City court; affirmed.
 B. c. Johnson ct. aL vs. w D. Hume. appeal from Jefferson ehancery court; affirmed.
 TrammeI Trial Begins.
 The trial of Byrcp Trammell for the murder of Charles E. Taylor was begun in the city court today before Judge Thomas. The morning session was com posed in securing a jury, with the result | that the following were selected. J. l. Raley, farmer: H. M. Hobbie wholesale grocery merchant; c. R. Ash~ ley, farmer; w. M. Hudson wholesale grocery merchant; M. A. Watts. farmer T. H. Collier clerk; T. J. Diclxey farmer; J. R. Mcdaniel, shipping clerk; V. l.. Me l Neill, farmer; w. II. Mead, farmer; L. w. Ashley, bookkeeper; R. D. Benjamin, l express clerk.
 | There was considerable discussion by the attorneys before the first witness was l placed upon the stand and it is doubtful i if the case can be finished this week. There were about 150 witnesses summoned but only about ninety of them were pres 1 ent.
 Many of these are character witnesses. The case is one of the most interesting that has come up in the local courts. 'frammell is a deputy in the office of the United States Marshal Bryan. He shot Taylor to death in front of the Exchange | hotel several months ago. The cause is said to have been an old trouble growing out of the failure of Taylor in business at Roanoke about two years ago.
 The state, 1t is understood will under take to prove conspiracy while the de. fense offers self-defense. Both parties were prominent citizens of Roanoke