The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-01-13
HOUSES TO MEET AT NOON
Legislators Joined Here by
 Many Public Men.
Formee Senator Meador Will Call Senate Together and Goldsby Will Be Chosen Temporary
 President-House
 Caucus Tonight.

Hon. Alfred M. TunstalI of Hale, will today be chosen Speaker of the Alabama House of Representatives without oppo- sition.
 Hon. J. R. Wood of Macon. at 1 o'clock this morning announced that he conceded the nomination oS Mir. Tunstall Mr. Wood was the only other candidate for the place.
 The announcement of Mir. Wood was made without aA conference with MT. Tunstall or any of his friends. At the time it was made it was surprise to the few Legislators who had not retired, both the friends and the opponents of MT, Wood. In the early part of the night there had been several conferences between the friends of Mir. Tunstall and MT. Wood. It is known that propositions looking to his withdrawal from the race were made to MT. Wood. The conferences were with out result
 The early part of the night was spent by a number of the Legislators in fruit Jess endeavor for place. The efforts of MT .Tunstalrs friends to have him elect ed without opposition were apparently un- availing. The Legislators. all but very few, retired before midnight, and the sit- uation was still unsettled. The announce raent of Mir. Wcodss withdrawal came unexpectedly when it was generally be- neved that the contest would end only with the caucus.
 Mir. Wood had received the unsHerving loyalty of a number oS the Legislators, but 1t was finally realized that MT. Tun- stalls success in the caucus was inevita- ble.
 The realization came without any con- sultation between MT. Wood and the friends of MT. TunstaH.
 Richardson Told Tunstall.
 At a. m. Terry Richardson of Mont gomery, a friend and warm supporter of MT. Wood, knocked on the door of room POS at the Exchange Hotel in which were MT. TunstalI and number of his friends To Mir. Tunstall, who came to the door, he said:
 Il a mdirected by MT. Wood to tell you that he comedies your nomination as Speaker"
 A few minutes later Colonel W. w. Brandon of Tuscaloosa, a friend of MT. Tunstall. came from the latter's room to the lobby where Mir. Wood and several friends were standing. He asked on be- half of MT. Tunstall if there was any favor the latter as Speaker could do MT. Wood.
 There is nothing care to ask for my self" said MT. Wood, but I would ap- preciate any favors in his power to my friends
 MT. Wood was asked by a representa- tive of The Advertiser for a statement T can only say" he replied that have just sent word to MT. TunstaH that l concede his nomination."
 The question of a Railroad Commission elective by the people played a more or less important part in the contest for the speakership. It came into unexpected prominence last night A delegation of prominent Alabsmians, acting as repre- sentatives of the Retail and Wholesale Grocers Associations of Alabama reached the city and held a meeting at the Ex- change Hotel, The delegation was said tV be sfriendly to MT. Wood and the members of 1t interested themselves in his candidacy.
 This delegation was composed of Cap tain Frank s. White. 8. B. King. E. r. Wilkinson and B. 5. Conner of Blrming- ham and G. T. McElderry of Talladega.
 Railroad Commission Talk.
 The delegation met to consider ways and means of furthering both the bill to have the Railroad Commissioners elect ed by the people and the bill to confer additional powers upon the Commission. Captain White said:
 eve met to consider the legislation which will make the Railroad Comms- sion elective by the people and which will give the commission more power than 1t now has, The bills have not yet been drawn up. but they will be and they viii be presented to the legislature in the early days of the session. We expect to have representatives in the city until the fate Of the bill is decided
 Most of the members of the delegation will leave for their homes this morning.
 Congressman are Here.
 That the session of the Legislature which opens at noon today is to be one of unusual importance Is evidenced by the presence here of large number of men prominent In both State and national affairs.
 The Alabama delegation in Congress, with the exception of Colonel c. W. Thompson Of the Fifth District, who is ouarantined at his home in Tuskegee, Hon. Henry D. Clayton of the Third aNrIa nf Nha First District and Hon. J. L. Burnett of the Seventh District. is now in the city. while men who represent great variety of interests throughout the State are here to watch the trend of legislation and work where 1t Is necessary in the furtheranee of their causes
 Zhas SessiOp. bsipg the aEst ssnee ths