The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-08-14
ACTIVE CAMPAIGN
 IS PROMISED HERE. The Mayoralty Contest Will be
 Quite Warm MULTIPLIClTYOF ASPIRANT IS The Long List May Be Augmented StilI--Promised Candidates Are confident-some contlngen-
 cies May Arise.
MULTIPLlClTYOF ASPIRANI IS

Perhaps at no time in the history of the municipality of Birmingham has so large number of aspirants for the may orally entered the list as now. While the primary election will hardly be held within the next two or three months much interest is manifested ,iready, not only by the numerous candidates them selves, but by the people of the city in general
 Not only are the avowed candidates ac- tive, but movements have been started to- add others to the list.
 The high honor and the em Is of the office are not disregarded 8urely not one of the gentlemen named will overlook the great responsibility and the arduous labors which must be borne by. the successful man. Of course there Is not one who does not realize that there are rough places ahead for grow ing city like Birmingham with an an- nually increasing debt and a growing de- mand for further advancements In the way of public Improvements.
 Claims of Candidates.
 The exact number of posti' ely an- nounced candidates. and of citizens who are willing to occupy the executive chair of the city and oversee the labyrinthian halls of Birmingham's municipal home, may not now be known, but there are enough on the list from which the voters may make a selection.
 The friends of M. H. Crittenden, who entered the race very early in the year, Rnfc m ma who has entered or who may hereafter announce. MT. Crittenden's friends claim that he is conservative business man. a large taxpayer and one of the pioneers of the city, who has always taken an in- terest in city affairs.
 Alderman John R. Copeland, when asked yesterday If he was fixed In his purpose to- enter the race, said: T most assuredly am determined in my purpose to go Into the contest; and l am encour- aged with the belief that will win, and nattered by the large number of substan- tial business men who have volunteered | to honor me with their votes. As you will recall nearly all of the mayors of Bir- mingham first served as aldermen. ot | course there are exceptions, but not many. l have served for a long time in that capacity. have punctualy attended I the meetings, closely studied t needs of the city and am not ashamed of any l vote I ever cast"
 1 Alderman John w. o'Neill, on being asked If he would make formal an- nouncement as a candidate, said:
 T most assuredly will do so at the proper time. am a candidate for mayor and expect to win with the aid of the hundreds of strong friends who have come to me and said that they would sup port me on my public and private records. I do not think any one can charge that I have ever been neglectful of duty to my fellow citizens. My work in Birmingham has not been of a selfish nature altogeth- | CT, and if l am not greatly mistaken in my estimation of the people of this com munity they are not without appreciation. I expect to win, and am in to the end
 Conditional Candidate.
 Alderman George R. Ward thus ex- | pressed himself: T have thought seri- | ously of asking this time for the office of mayor, but have made no announce ment, as l am what you may term con- ditional candidate. I am strongly in favor of instituting some refroms in the admin istration of our city affairs but if some man able and willing to undertake the | arduous responsibilities of the office, an1 who will fill the demand of the people will so announce I may not enter the | race.
 T have heard it said that A. O. Lane mi oh rQl l.Ix I<a case he does do so I shall certainly not oppose him. His past admins strations as