The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-11-19
LOCAL CAMPAIGN
 GROWING LIVELY.
Free Barbecues, Ward Rallies
 and Public Speaking
HOT FIGHT IN THE SEVENTH
Race Between Parker, Thaoh and Ora. ham Grows Warm-Fsw Bets Are Being Made-Evsn
 Money Offered.

As the municipal campaign draws to close the candidates have become very active, and the former lethargy has been suppianted by ward rallies. free barbe- cues and public speakings Every can didate seems to be working to get as much enthusiasm as possible. All of the aspir- ants for office admit that things have been a little slow up to this time and from present indications they propose to make up for the lost opportunities.
 Aside from the mayoralty contest the fight in tho Seventh ward for alderman seems to be about the hottest proposition confronting the voters of that particular are Robert H. Thach. the present mem- Der, J. F. Graham, a former member of the board, and John L. Parker. A vigor- ous contest has been waged between Thach and Parker, and large gatherings of voters to partake of the good things furnished by these two candidates Is al- most a nightly occurrence. On the other hand MT. Graham claims that he will probably defeat them both Tn the first primary. It Is said that not more than six registered voters in the Seventh ward will fail to go to the polls. The political excitement is at fever heat, and 1t Is now likely that second primary will
 Busy at the Headquarters.
 In the meantime the headquarters of the various candidates for mayor are very busy places Just now, and all of the can didates seem as confident as when they first entered the race.
 It is understood that several of them are preparing statements which they will issue to the public within the next two days. None of the candidates would give out any figures yesterday, but said they would be in a position to say something for the public tonight.
 The campaign now ending is said to have been the most inexpensive in the history of municipal politics in Birming- ham. All of the candidates being good friends have refrained from using toe much of the campaign funds, and all oi them seem willing to let 1t be a fight for personal popularity straight through. The
  tween George B. Ward and Charles S Simmons, Mir. Ward claiming that Sim mons Is the candidate of the "municipa ring" Answering this, MT. Simmons has made the counter charge and so the mat ter rests. It IS generally believed tia. this newspaper controversy will not have any serious effect on the result.
 Few Bets Are Made.
 Few bets have been made so far. but It Is a standing offer of two to one tha a second primary will be necessary tt name the nominee. In other words 1t i' not believed that any one candidate vii have enough votes in the first primary tt give him a majority. It is said that sev eral bets have been made that Simmons and o'Neill will lead the first race. I Is known that several wagers have beer made that O'Nelll will lead the field fl the first primary, and others have beer made that Simmons will lead the field Some have also offered to take Ward al a favorite in the dual combination.
 The candidates are said to be havint considerable difficulty just now in keep ing their campaign committees straight One candidate will publish the name O a new committeeman and immediatel. some other candidate will publish a state ment that the man had promised to b. on his committee and vote for him It ap pears there Is some question about tn accuracy of promises. Up to a few week ago candidates had been prone to rel. on promises, and these same aspirant have way of putting every rock-botton voter on the campaign committee Thi is done. 1t Is understood for the pur pose of making a good showing befor the voters who are doubtful. Every vote likes to get on the winning side, and can didate who can show the largest cam paign committee usually gets larg floating vote
 It is possible that the candidates will put all the doubtful promises in pool am let the various aspirants for offices dray for them. This will settle all dispute and bring about peace and harmon where turmoil and advertising expens now run riot