The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-02-28
LOWE HAS FRIENDS
 IN NORTH ALABAMA
Returns from Campaign Tour
 Feeling Confident
coMtR IN THE HuSKNGS
Nothing Has Been Reported From Him or Smith Since the Abolition of the Joint Debate-Donner
 Issues Challenge.

Since the abolition of the joint debates between John V. Smith and B. B. Conner In the campaign for the presidency of the railroad commission there has been decided luil in the situation. but Robert J. Lowe returned from a trip through north Alabama last night and his friends stirred things up considerably.
 MT. Lowe visited Lawrence, Colbert and Morgan counties and says he found ev- erything as satisfactory as he could hope. He says the effect of the joint debate at Decatur Is not evident in that section, and he and his friends feel con fident that he will carry those counties. In fact one supporter of MT. Lowe said last night that he would not lose county In Inc Eighth congressional district.
 MT. Lowe was questioned at length as to the effect of the joint debate and on the issues brought out by MT. Conner and Mir. Smith, but he politely declined to make a statement on that line for publi- cation. He said. however that he had not diverted from his original platform and did not intend doing anything of the kind.
 MT. Lowe's Statement.
 T am not the candidate of the railroad nor the shippers" said Mir. Lowe, 'but am going before the people with the in- tention of doing what I think Is right if am elected. ll'tudge all cases strict ly on the evidence and the law and will not allow any interest to influence my Si- ifldfCial in uba soever. I have made no promises in the interest of either side, and If elected I wlll not be bound politically or otherwise. As you Insist on a definited platform" laughingly. said MT. Lowe, T am willing for you to say that the principal plank in my platform is ,conservatism.'
 MT. Lowe will remain in Birmingham until Monday when he will go to north east Alabama, visiting the counties of Marshall, Cherokee, Etowah and possibly few others He feels very jub.lant over the situation.
 Since the passing of the joint debate MT. Smnth and Mfr. Conner have gotten out of the general public gaze to a cer- tain extent and both of them have evil dently burned all bridges behind them Cannot Be Located.
 Mir. Conner cannot be located, and 1t is supposed he has gone on a still hunt to the huskings. He disappeared shortly af- ter the first "set-to" with MT. Smith at Montgomery, and 2 since thct time his whereabouts have not been chronicled Report has 1t that he has taken to the tall timber and is going for the rural vote without gloves. The truth of this statement cannot be verified as he had not returned to Birmingham up to late hour last night and was not expected today.
 In the meantime MT. Smith has not been heard from, and it is not exactly known what changes have been made in his campaign plans since the discontinuance of the joint meetings with MT. Conner.
 Captain Kolb is also off on a still hunt. and 1t is said he Is gathering considerable him so strongly in his memorable race for governor of Alabama
 F. M Donnor of Selma has come to the front with proposition to challenge all the other candidates for joint debate in the courthouse at Selma on their re- spective merits. MT Donnor's request is unique to say the least. It Is regarded as an innovation in Alabama politics when one candidate challenges all the other aspirants to joint debate at the same place. If such a meeting could be arranged the printed accounts might prove interesting reading.