The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-02-07
PRIMARIES ONLY
NINE WEEKS OFF.
Presidency of Railroad Com
mission of Absorbing Interest
THE DIFFERENT TACTICS
loves Friends Say Their Candidate
viii Fight Neither Railroads Nor
shippers, But If Elected
Will Be Fair

Nine weeks from tomorrow democratic
primaries will be held throughout the
state of Alabama and many matters
which are now entangling the thoughts
of the voters will have been settled. There
will be new supreme court newly
elected president of the railroad commits
sion several new chancellors and judges
and all kinds of county officials.
While everybody is taking deep inter-
est in the contests for supreme court
Judge this is not nearly so interesting
just now as the race for the presidency
of the railroad commission. The four can
didates who seem to be most talked OF
Just now are Robert ]. Lowe, John V.
Smith, B. B. Conner and r. f. Kolb.
Vigorous Canvass.
Mr. Conner is backed by the Farmers,
Merchants and Shippers association and
is waging a vigorous campaign. If elect
ed he expects to have freight rates low
cred and to continue his fight on the
railroads on the lines mapped out In the
movement resulting in an elective COM
mission. Mr.. Conner is drawing the issues
closer than any of the other candidates
just now though, 1t is said, Captain
Kolb will also advocate lower freight
rates.
Mr. Lowe and Mr. Smith both apparent
ly intend running their campaign on
very conservative basis. Mr.. Smith is run
ming on his past record while Mr.. loves
friends say he will fight neither the rail-
road nor the shippers association, and If
al tod mill rttlo in 70 ir nd
ner to both sides. 1t is said the railroad
companies are not taking an active In
terest in the contest. From authentic
sources it is said that they will be salts
fed with a fair man who Is neither an
enemy to railroads nor to shippers. In
other words they say they are willing to
leave the matters to be decided to any
fair-minded man.
Probate Judge.
In Jefferson county the contes. for
probate judge seems of greatest interest
though there is much activity among the
friends of the various candidates for
circuit court judges under the new law.
Partisan politics have not appeared to any
extent in these contests for judges as
there seems to be general feeling of
selecting the best man for the place.
Between Judge Stiles and Judge Samuel
E. Green the vote is divided almost even
ly Both are old county men and have
scores of friends in every precinct in JEFF
ferson. They are close personal friends
and as both are so we'll known voters are
having considerable difficulty in deciding
for which they will vote.
Other OFFICES.
Two of the liveliest races are those
for circuit court and county solicitors.
Hef1in. Terry and Strange are actively at
work and nothing is being left undone to
bring out strong vote For circuit court
solicitor Mcqueen, Pugh and Catalan
are making it decidedly interesting and
at this time it would be mere guess work
to attempt to decide which had the most
strength.
For clerk of the equity division of the
new court DIR. Gillespie is opposed by d.
u Williams. prominent in labor circles,
and warm campaign will be waged.
Walter K. McAdory has no opposition for
clerk of the law division of this court.
For coroner and board of revenue there
are scores of candidates and until they
come under the wire In April no one can
foretell the result. These seem to be the
two offices most popularity sought.
Frank Hewitt will hardly have any OPP
position for tax assessor
There are five candidates for tax col
lector and for the past few days they
have been storming the woods in the
country precincts.
d. B. Hickman, chief clerk in the coun-
ty treasurer's office, and H. c. Miller, are
the aspirants to the office of county
treasurer and both are working hard Mr..
Hickman is an old county man and Is
personally known in every precinct in the
county. Mr.. Miller is equally well known
and made strong race against Henry
B. Gray at the last election. This race
is being watched with interest