The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-02-21
Interest in Presidency of Rail-
 road Commission
MANY ARE DISAPPOIN TED
Hoped to See More Enthusiasm Mani fested In Debate at Decatur-Races for Supreme Court Bench
 Without Issue.
BY E.. E.. kERSH.

With the date of the state primary only about seven weeks distant, politics occupy almost all of the spare time of the "capi- tai crowd in their gossip And some right interesting gossip one can hear at the capital, too. The reporters have many good stories spoiled by the pan Of don't quote me now and I will tell you some thing" But it is just natural for office. holders to talk politics, although it is sell dom that they see a race except as they want to see it. This statement is not made with special reference to present occu- pants of the highest state offices, but 1t has been noticeable through the admin istrations for many years. And, really, should not cause wonder The average man who visits the capital for the pur- pose of talking politics is not only the friend of the administration, but he also seems to come thoroughly embued with the idea that he must bring good news.
 But there are some wise politicians who hold office in Alabama, some who have the knack of learning almost everything, and never divulging anything.
 
 The most interesting gossip just now | ] the race for the presidency of the railroad commission, though there Is also a very general interest in the contests for po- sitions on the supreme court bench. h. terest in the presidency of the railroad commission Is, of course. enivened by the joint debates between Messrs. Smith and Conner, and the various officials and em- ployes about the capital read with much interest this morning the newspaper ac- counts of the first debate at Decatur. Elm ployes at the state house generally stand pretty well together in supporting candi- dates who seek reelection or promotion from some present position, and the sen timent here Is very naturally favorable to MT. Smith in his contest. This does not mean that all of the officials and em- ployes are going to vote for MT. Smith, for such Is not the case but he will get the votes of more than half of them.
 There was some disappointment on the faces of the readers as they concluded with the published accounts of the de- bate. It was expected that the crowd would be large and that more enthusiasm would have been manifested, Unless the speakers meet with more encouragement at other points they are to visit, it is not expected that the joint debate will have been of much benefit to either candidate.
 Tn my opinion" said an officeholder this morning. all of the candidates will be on the stump in less than a week. I don't mean that they will all be engaged in joint discussion but l rather expect to see MT. Lowe and Captain Kolb go on the stump and make some speeches"
 Briefly summing up the race for the presidency of the commission. it may be stated that 1t is regarded here now just as 1t was ten days ago-a toss-up to name the winner
 Supreme Court Race.
 The lack of more enthusiastic interest in the contest for the supreme court nominations is very generally deplored It seems that the general public not hay ing heretofore had to directly elect these officials end for the further reason that they more rarely come in contact with the supreme court interest in the con- tests is almost confined to the lawyers Then, again, all of the men who are ask ing for the positions are recognized by the bar as able and capable It is rare Indeed when a man is found who can tell you the full ticket that he will vote for the seven places on the bench It is a contest absolutely without an issue, and everybody seems to be picking his per- sonal friends to favor among the can didate..
 Hereabouts there is a prevailing opin- ion that the members of the present court will probably be reelected and that the new candidates will have to hustle around for the remaining three positions In such event who will be the three? Every one of the candidates has support CTS at the capital and In the city and county of Montgomery, though as a mat ter of course, Judge Sayre. the local can didate, is the strongest among them here
 Judge John C. Anderson of Marengo who is candidate for associate justice. is the only one of the of-town candi- dates who has been here this week. Judge Anderson Is making a very active cam paign and he says that he feels absolute ly confident of success. He is the only candidate offering from the southwestern portion of the state and this fact is look ed upon as worth many votes to him in the contest. He has been endorsed by the bars and committees of all the coun- ties in his present circuit and the first congressional district, and he is very gen orally looked upon by we'll posted politi- clans as one of the most probable win ners.
 Bryan's Visit Causes Talk.
 There has been considerable gossip about national politics since Mir Bryan's recent visit to Montgomery. When MT. Bryan came those persons here who
 
 looked upon his visit as an attempt to keep intact the platforms of 1896 and 1900 and this is just what they heard. MT. Bryan failed to discuss candidates but his opponents insist that he was here in the interest of Editor Hearst.
 The real effect of the speech was the inauguration of a campaign for delegates to the St. Louis convention, and already there are a score or more prominent men who have their eye on the position of delegate at large. There are four actual announcements for the four positions. in- cluding Col. E. l.. Russell of Mobile. Edi- tor W. w. Screws of the Montgomery Advertiser, Editor R. N Rhodes of the Birmingham News and Gen. Charles M Shelly of Jefferson. There will probably be more entries. and for several reasons The views of some of these men are we'll known as opposed to any taint of Bryan ism, and some of the Bryan followers are secretly declaring war. This campaign is so far being conducted in very quiet manner 1 few letters to personal friends and a little newspaper advertising. It is expected to get lively within the next few days.
 Rumor connects the names of Agricul- tural Commissioner R. R. Poole and Sec retary of State J. Thomas Hefin as prob able aspirants for delegates from the state at large.
 Knox and Johnston Mentioned.
 In addition to these the names of the Hon. John B. Knox of Calhoun and for r,aar Governor Ioeeuh E Johnston of