The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-01-06
State Committee Will Probably
Fix This Date
LOVES SUCCESSOR DISCUSSED
Col. n. S. D. Mallory and Jones G..
Moore Are Both Talked of, But
Each Declines to Make an
Announcement.

Montgomery, January 5.-(Special)-A
democratic primary Is to be held for the
nomination of all state, district and cir
cult officials and 1t will be not later
than April. This much can be stated with
very little chance of contradiction by the
act of the state committee when it meets
here tomorrow.
Just what further action the committee
may take is an open question. The ques-
ton of a successor of State Chairman
Lowe, who will tender his resignation
to become a candidate for president of
the railroad commission, Is a subject for
much gossip tonight.
There are no candidates for the posi-
ton, but the names of two very prom
inent democrats are being discussed. They
are Col II. S. d. Mallory of Dallas and
former state senator Jones G.. Moore of
jefferson. The only certainty in this race
is that both of the gentlemen will not be
candidates. 1t is about equally certain
that one of the two will be the new chair
man.
Col Mallory and Mr. Moore are both
here tonight, and friends of each have
urged them to offer for the position but
Mr.. Moore has stated that he is pledged
to Colonel Mallory If the latter is a can
didate.
Col Mallory declines to say that he is
viii Send Resignation.
1t is very probable that Mr.. Lowe will
send his resignation to the committee
through a note, and in such case it would
devolve upon Secretary Pugh to call the
meeting to order. The election of a
chairman would thus come up at the first
business of the session. The meeting
will convene at noon in the city council
chamber.
From indications tonight, there is to be
a very full meeting of the committee to-
morrow. Thirteea members are present
tonight, an unusually large number for
the night previous to a meeting With
these thirteen members are some two doz-
en- prominent democrats from different
parts of the state
Very naturally there is good bit of
political log rolling going on. The
presidency of the railroad commission
seems to be receiving first consideration.
The present occupant, John v Smith, to-
gether with Captain e. W. Booker and
Chairman Robert j. Lowe, his opponents.
are present. Mr.. Smith and Captain
Booker announced their candidacy several
weeks ago but Mr. Lowe makes his
first announcement with his resignation
as chairman of the committee.
Will Become a Candidate.
Speaking of his intentions tonight Mr..
Lowe said: 'I will resign as chairman
of the committee tomorrow. l have de-
cided to become a candidate for presi-
dent OF the railroad commission, and I
hope by the grace Of the people to win
the office.
II don't know that there are any spe-
cial Issues in the campaign. l certainly
will not be candidate of any faction or
of any interest, but If elected, my sole
purpose will be to serve the people in
that office with as much zeal and unsel-
hshness as | have served the party in the
different places of trust with which they
have honored me. / could not do more
than this.
my opponents are gentlemen who have
been often honored by the people with
places of profit, and are well known all
over Alabama. | have no criticism to
make of them. The character of the
campaign depends largely upon the date
set for the election. While | do not ex-
pect to personally importune any one, I
do intend to ask the support of my friends
in every precinct in the state to assist
me in attaining the office.
From the assurance l have received
| have no reason to doubt that those
whom I have served in the past will now
serve me. So far | have not met with
any encouragement. There is one thing
further | want to say and that is the
claims of precedent for two terms for
president of the railroad commission Is
an absurdity. So far as / know there
has been but one instance since the in
stitution of the office in which the presi-
dent has succeeded himself. and that
was in the days of that good man, Col.
Fl. r. Shorter"
Sentiment for Early Primary.
Among the members here tonight there
Is a very strong sentiment for an early
primary and every indication points to
April II as the date to be selected. So
far only one member has appeared
a champion of convention. Committee
man Carson Whitson was seen wander
ing along the streets at late hour to-
night.
II am looking for Tom Stevens and
Joe Nathan" he said in reply to a ques-
tion IL am lonely. Stevens and Nathan
favor convention for the nomination of
members of the supreme court, and I
am with them in II, but IL seems that we
are all alone Yes. / am lonely, unused
the Talladegian as he strolled on toward
his hotel.
Members Who Are In Montgomery.
This about states the general senti-
ment The members of the committee
here tonight include Chairman Lowe. r.
A. Mitchell, Etowah; John f. Proctor,
jackson; II. D. Merrill, Calhoun: C. C.
Whitson, Talladega; r. II. Thach and
Jones G. Moore. Jefferson; II. s. ID.
Mallory, Dallas; J. j. King, Marengo;
G. F. Sedberry, Elmore; George A.
Searcy, Tuscaloosa; George w. Jones.
Montgomery; G. b. Wimberly. Pickens;
w. A. Carter, Clarke, and Brooks Smith.
Hale
Among the prominent democrats here
are Congressman Bankhead. Chancellor
r. B. Kelly, candidate for associate JUS
tice of the supreme court
Mayor Drennen of Birmingham. proba-
BILE candidate for governor; b. A. Thomp-
son. Birmingham; Elmore Garrett, Earle
Pettus, A. NJ. Tunstall, W. c. Tunstall,
W. w. Brandon. A. J. Driver. II. T. Bsn-
ton, Felix l.. Smith, s. l.. Cox, B. b.
CONTINUED on Second Paae)