The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-03-27
Democratic Primary Election is
 Near at Hand
ASPIRANTS ARE ALL BUSY
Chairman J. B. Alrd of subcommittee Sends Letter of Instructions to Elec- ton Clerks, Managers and Return
 ing Officers-Ballots Received.

of the candidates have carefully laid their lines for the past six months and some longer, and the next two weeks will be devoted to the final roundup. Tn almost every instance an active campaign has been waged by the candidates. and even those without opposition-and they are few-have been hard at work.
 At the headquarters of the sub-commit- tee of the Jefferson county democratic executive committee appointed to arrange the details of the primary in the Jeff ferson County Bank building. there is great activity. Chairman J. B. Aird and Secretary Yancey L. Senn, assisted by several stenographers, have been pusy for the past few days arranging details. Chairman B. A. Thompson of the county committee calls at the headquarters daily to see that Everything Is in working shape. but the entire details of the pri- mary have been placed in the hands or the subcommittee.
 The work of addressing letters to the several hundred clerks, managers ana re- turning officers notifying them of their appointment to serve on election day, mas been completed,
 Letter to Officials.
 The following Is the letter which was addressed to the election officials:
 Democratic Headquarters.
 Birmingham, Ala, March 25 1904.
 Dear Sir.-You are hereby appointed clerk (manager or returning officer) to conduct the democratic primary electlon to be held April H. 1904, for beat - Jef- ferson county, Alabama.
 subcommittee on plan.
 ''Per J. B. AIRD, Chairman. "YANCEY l.. SENN, Secretary"
 "The sub committee having confidence in your ability, honesty and fairness nave appointed you a clerk (manager or re- turning offce) to conduct the democratic primary election. The general law pro- vides a penalty for anyone who is ap- pointed clerk (manager or returning of 1cer) and who without lawful excuse fails to attend Please be present at the vot- ing place by the hour of a. m, and see that the primary election Is conducted according to law and plans furnished by the subcommittee. Each clerk tmanager or returning offce) who serves as such will be entitled to $2.00, which you can get by calling on J. B. Aird, Esq, Room No. POI, Jefferson County Bank building Birmingham, Alabama, and presenting the certificate that you served as such clerk Blanks for the purpose will be found in the box Yours very truly
 "J B. AIRD, Chairman"
 100000 Ballots Received.
 Two hundred thousand ballots have been received by the sub-committe at the headquarters The entire order inciues fifty thousand more, making two hum dred and fifty thousand In all. All ex- eept fifty thousand of these will be ils- tributed among the various candidates, provided they pay for the same.
 The ticket is about twenty inches long and contains the names of sixty-nine can- didates, with the names of Lee c. Brad ley and Henry R. Howze, the only candi- dates for the two members of the Ninth district congressional committee There are blank spaces for the names of two candidates for judge of the inferior court of Birmingham to be inserted, also spaces for the names of candidates for constable and for beat committeeman. This is the regular county ticket.
 The two llChtlS tOlldlIli6 tnt LII the candidates for delegates to the state convention will be issued some time next week. The ticket is to be voted for by the voters of Bessemer for Judge, cerk and solicitor of the Bessemer city court have also been prepared.
 Chairman Ard stated yesterday after noon that. although he and he mem bers of the subcommittee would be at the Headquarters up to the day of cleo committee will be held.
 Private Conference.
 Those composing the ticket for dele gates to the state convention headed by Capt. Frank s. White will hold a meet ing tomorrow morning at 10 o'clock in the second division of the criminal courtroom on the third floor of the courthouse. It will be a private conference to review the situation. It is expected that the ticket for delegates to the convention headed by ex-Governor Joseph F. Johnston will hold a caucus sometime during the coming week, although no definite time has been fixed yet.
 Chairman H. s. Mallory of the state
 
 committee has advised H. K. White as follows:
 'Whether under the primary law can didates have a right to file up to fifteen days or must file under the committees rule of twenty days, is a mooted ques' tion am inclined to the opinion that they may file under the fifteen-day rule, which expires today"
 MT White is quoted as saying yester- day that he would approach Chairman Aird and Chairman Thompson with the request that they allow him as we'll as the other four names who desire to be candi- dates for delegates to the state conven- ton. which list was presented Friday, for the second time. and that if they again re- fused to receive the five candidates names that he would institute mandamns pro ceedings against the campaign officials.
 The campaign headquarters closed yes. terday afternoon at o'clock as usual and up to that time MT. White had moi appeared for the second time with his demand.