The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-04-19
SOMETHING WRONG IN WILCOX COUNTY Tax Collector Makes an Appeal
 for Relief RECEIPTS WERE FORGED Word Received From Governor Jelks Is to the Effect That He Is Much
 Better-other News
 From Capital.
RECEIPTS WERE FORGED

Montgomery, April 1s.-(Special )-The recent hotly contested primary in Wilcox county seems to have got Tax Collector Joe Lambert of that county in rather uncomfortable position and he is appeal ing to the state auditor for relief. Ac- oording to MT. Lambert 1t appears that there were some 100 persons in Wilcox county who voted in the recent primaries to whom he had not Issued poll tax re- ceipts, but who at the same time claimed to hold same. In other words the tax collector intimates that somebody has heen forging his name. He wants state examiner to come at once to Wilcox and make a thorough examination of the mat ter.
 Private information from Wilcox does not show the most healthy condition of affairs. It is reported that during the years 1901 and 1902 about a hundred per sons claim to have paid their poll taxes, but to whom the collector says he did not issue receipts. It will be recalled that during these years the payment of the tax was purely voluntary, and could have been paid along with other taxes the same as before the adoption of the constitution of 1901
 In 1903 the legislature enacted a law requiring the state auditor to issue blank receipts and holding the collectors re- sponsible for same. After the collector closed his books for polls in February. 1t it said that the campaign began to wax hot In Wilcox, and those who found them- Ia three years of poll receipts were sorely disappointed. Some, it is claimed joined the military. while others, it Is charged, resorted to the process of forged receipts. It has been charged that eighty-five per- sons so charged voted in single pre- cnct.
 MT. Lambert is very positive that he did not issue receipts to these persons, and he says he has their names. If he has made error in his returns to the state, or if it should be found that he is responsible in any way for the out standing receipts claimed to be forged, he desires to make full settlement with the state
 Race for Secretary of State.
 The most interesting gossip about the state house just now Is connected with the probable successor to J. Thomas Hefiin as secretary of state. There are score or more of applicants, and as matter of course each of these appli- cants, and ss a matter of course each of cants hopes that the lightning may strike him.
 Secretary Heflin has announced that he will resign effective May 1 in order that he may give his personal attention to his race for congress In the Fifth district and as the state government can not we'll move along without this officer, it Is expected that Governor Jelks will name the successor prior to the first of May. It has been suggested from some quarters that probably the appointment would fall to the lot of Lieutenant Go- ernor Cunningham, who may be called upon to act as governor for a few months, but this is barely possible. It is not expected that Dr. Cunningham will be called upon to take the executive chair prior to May B. the expiration of the governors limit of twenty days out of the state. Should MT. Hef1n resign effective May 1 Governor Jelks will probably announce his successor by wire from New Mexico.
 It Is of coure impossible to make more than an odd guess at the name of the probable successor. Some very prominent men are mentioned. There will be very strong pressure to have one of the present assistants in the office promoted either E. R. McDavid of Jefferson or A. C. Sexton of Cullman. These two of- ficials are on the best of terms and they will not stand one In the way of the other, but each of them have a strong following. In speaking of MT. Sextons probable candidacy, one of his home pa- pers thus refers to him: "The people of old Cullman pledge MT. Sexton hearty support; he Is one of the most popular men in Alabama and we predict success If he enters the list.
 Among the other strong applicants may be mentioned Frank N. Julian who was second in the primary that nominated MT Heflin, and whose friends especially urge him on this account as well as his ft- ness; Charles E. Brooks, mayor of Fort Deposit, and a lifelong personal and political friend of Governor Jelks; John F. Proctor of Jackson, county solicitor Judge S. G. Wolfe, state senator from Marengo; Walter NeSmith, prominent lawyer of Lamar; T. S. Fraser state senator from Bullock, and one of the leaders for the governor during the re- cent session of the legislature; w. w. Brandon of Tuscaloosa, adjutant gene- ral of state troops; General J. B. Stan ley, editor of the Greenville Advocate and once a candidate for the office;