The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-04-24
.DR. HUGHES NAME IS NOT MENTIONED Several Republican Leaders
 Meet Here Informally THEY MAKE STATEMENTS Collector Thompson Says He Knows of No Opposition to the Present Post
 master-Dr. Hughes sub-
 mits Brief Remarks.

There was stir yesterday in local re- publican circles. This was probably caused by the gathering of prominent party leaders at the Hotel Hillman. w. F. Aldrich, one of the Presidents ref erees in Alabama, arrived In the city Fri day night and took apartments at the Hillman. He was followed by Capt. Charles II. Scott of Montgomery also a referee, and other republicans. Yester- day morning a visit was made to the apartments of Mir. Aldrich by leading re- publicans. Several of them declare, how ever, that 1t was only an informal gath ering and not a conference among the party leaders.
 J. O. Thompson, the third referee of vited to any conference at the hotel, it is said. and therefore did not call. Cap tain Scott and others called upon him at his office. in the government building during the day and discussed matters po- litical informally.
 Among the republicans in the city yes- terday were MT. Aldrich. MT. Scott. G. B. Deans of Mobile, N. S. Marshall, John Hollingsworth of Talladega, J. M. Ragan, the state committee; J. A. Dennis, post master at Marion, w. T. Hutchins. post master at Huntsville, and several others
 Postmaster Hughes.
 It has been reported that Mr Aldrich and his friends are out after the scalp Of e Birmingham, and that this was one of the purposes of the meeting here yester- day. Such 0 report however, Is denied by several who came 10 Birmingham yesterday. A denial has been made of an agreement having been entered into to the effect that MT. Aldrich was to name the next postmaster in Birmlng ham.
 J. O. Thompson said last night in dis cussing republican politics:
 "I have not been informed of any opposition to Dr. Hughes. In fact his present term does not expire for two more years. and I know of no fight being waged against him for the office.
 "I have had no conference with MT Aldrich, and In fact have not seen him in weeks Captain Scott and others called to see mo today in an informal way. In my opinion the discussion rela- tive to change being made in the post master at Birmingham Is without foun- dalton. Dr. Hughes appears to be giving absolute satisfaction to the patrons and in addition to this he Is an ardent sup- porter of the administration and has the support of the Presidents g friends in Ala bama. He Is also an uninstructed dele- ventions favoring Mir. Roosevelt"
 Name Not Mentioned.
 Postmaster Hutchins of Huntsville said:
 The name of Dr. Hughes was not mentioned by the republicans who were at the Hillman this morning. am not a citizen of Birmingham nor a patron of the office. and would not have any voice In the matter except as a friend of Dr. Hughes.
 G. B. Deans, United States marshal at Mobile said:
 'At no time while in the presence of the republicans who were in Birmingham to- day at the Hilman did l hear the name of Dr. Hughes mentioned in connection with the office of postmaster in Birming- ham,
 Captain Scott said: "I came up to Blr- mingham from my home in Montgomery on a visit and not to attend any formal meeting or conference. The friends of the President in Alabama are working in harmony, and no friction exists. l know of no fight being made on Dr. Hughes. and the matter has not been discussed in my presence"
 With regard to the matter Dr. Hughes said:
 "In connection with the report relative to my present bond, I desire to say that MT. Aldrich has not been on my bond and therefore could not have withdrawn his name, as has been stated, nor was he requested to become one of my bonds men"
 Efforts to see MT. Aldrich relative to the matter failed.
 
 OPENS OFFICE HERE.