The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-25

Montgomery, May 4-(special. )-The so-called politicians have begun as- sembing in Montgomery today and 1t Ia predicted that by a. m tomorrow one thousand of these sacrihelal servants of the De ople will be ready to offer them !, selves on the alter of the public And why not? How unselhshly these poli- ! ticians always act. There is no self agrandizement in the occupation; noth- Ing hopeful for financial addition, sub traction, multiplication or division. but a real unselfsh offering to the people they love SD much. I have just examined the authorities on the definition of politician and they Inform me that { politician is ''9ne who understaaes the sclenca .yr gbvernment,' That's all, but is much. very much.
 Rotundas Are Filled.
 About one-tourth of the delegates have already come and the rotunda of he capitol and the hotel lobbies are busy with the bustlrg throng of aspirants for horors and their friends and supporters.
 There are apparently no dead Alabama political leaders. Those who were de- l the late contest are on the grounds, and each has his following and strong are all of these l account this fact a healthy | sign for the present and future of the state. It mesns much. It means that none are disgrrnted and that the mi- norlties are neither dismayed nor dis- grunted All are joined In the process sion which means to labor for the good of the state.
 Prominent among the throng is ex- Governor Joseph F Johnston He came l down this morning with the advance l guard, and his presence is sought by rep | resentatiye men of the state. Likewise ] Is his wisdom and guidance. he expresses | no preference for delegates. but does
 want conservatism to prevail in the de- l Alterations of tomorrows convention. He declares himself opposed to an instructed | dele gaticn. and says he has no particular 1 friends to reward nor enemies to punish. He simply wants democracy to win. Colonel Screws on the Scene. Then, too. upon the grounds shaking hands with hundreds of friends and some who love him personally but oppose him politically Is Maj Wallace Screws the veteran editor of the Montgomery Add vertser. Major Screws Is a candidate for delegate from the state at large. He has friends galore and opponents likewise and Is regarded today as the leader of one side in the real and only contest that Is likely to occur in the convention-his real opponent being Congressman William Richardson of the Tennessee valley.
 Politically, geographically and person. ally 1t appears today that three of the four delegates for the state at large are sure of position; and these are H. s. D. Mallory of Selma, E. l.. Russell of Mo- bile and Rufus N. Rhodes of Birming- ham These appear to be sure winners. but the fourth place seems much In doubt. Congressman Richardson brings strong vote from the northern valley. and from the mountains and Editor, Screws from the central part of the state. from the black belt and from the wire grass. The home delegates from the territory of the certainties are much In doubt as to position and will vote against either of the contestants with reluctance.
 Honored Jefferson County.
 The executive committee today highly honored Jefferson county by the selection of Henry B. Gray of Birmingham as tenn porary chairman of the convention and tomorrow when Chairman H. S. D. Nal lory calls the convention to oider he will turn the gavel over to a young dem- ocrat who has done much in the service of the party and has ever been loyal to it's principles and to it's organizations,
 The secretaries selected are w. w. Brandon of Tuscaloosa and R. E. l.. Nell of Dallas.
 Mingling among the delegates and the lookers-on today all representative Ala bamians, l find the coneensus of opinion dfscoura ging the idea of an instructed delegation to St. Louis.
 Early in the day Mayor Drennen of. the Jefferson delegation seemed to favor positive and pronounced instruction for Parker. but after close observation and consultation with his brother delegates he receded from his position and this evening expresses willingness to sub init the matter to the wisdom of the Ala bama delegation. believing. as he says. that this state convention will make no mistake in its selection.
 Opposed to Instruction.
 Hon. Jones Moore Congressman un- derwoor. Messrs. Gray. Thatch, Rhodes. Roden. Lowe and others who arrived this morning are very pronounced in opposf- ton to an instructed delegation. Congressman Bankhead came down with the Birmingham boys and he is fighting lcontInued on -