The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-04-12
Candidates and Their Friends
 Were Vtg Active VOTERS WERE OUT EARLY
Scenes at the Polling Places In 6lr- ninghan-Hot Contest Over the Railroad comnlsslonershlp
 Other Lively Contests.

Taking into consideration the new re- quirements imposed upon voters under the new constitution and the new primary election law 1t is estimated that more votes were boiled in Jefferson county and the state of Alabama yesterday than at any primary in the history of the state,
 Candidates, ward workers and support CTS in general were on the streets of Bir- mingham by o'clock sunrise and when the polls opened there was a large string of voters all ready, primed and cooked for the battle of the ballots As the hours wore on interest increased and by noon there was considerable excitement mani- fest among the various forces.
 Hot Contest.
 The railroad commission contest was in- tense. The Conner forces worked hard all day and the rivalry between them and the Smith men was intense. The Conner workers at the polls could be designated by tags on the lanels of their coats bear ing the words Red hot for Conner" In many voting places arguments arose and as the disputants waxed warm voters who had never shipped a pound of freight in their lives knew exactly what 1t would cost to ship anything from tombstone to a peanut between points in Alabama and Georgia.
 The supporters of Judge Greene and Judge Stiles were hard at work all day and both sides were absolutely confident until dark. There was considerable bet ting on this result and up to late hour last night even money was the best pro- position obtainable.
 The Hefiin people were out early and as the day grew on they increased in conf- dence and offered finally to lay odds of to that Hefln would be nominated over both his opponents. There were few takers of these bets.
 Vehicles In Service.
 All kinds of vehicles were brought into service to convey voters to and from the polls and notwithstanding the expected zen of sound mind was enabled to enjoy his election ride in carriage.
 The saloons were all closed tight so far as the police knew. but many of the ward leaders were observed in a delightful frame of mind, brought on by the admin istration of whisky, beer and other bevor- ages. Nobody suffered for the lack of stimulants and still law and order was maintained. Unless one knew the ropes 1t was very difficult to get a drink but conservative estimates give large ma jority in favor of those who knew.
 School Bond Issue.
 Early in the day a big majority in fa- vor of the school bond issue was assured. Scores of boys from the High school were on the streets and at the polling places all day urging voters to cast A ballot in favor of a new High school, and they generally carried their point The ap- pearance of these youngsters at the polls was a new innovation in Alabama poll tics and carried considerable weight. It showed how deeply interested the edu- cators of the town are in the subject and evidenced a clever stroke of diplomacy on the part of citizens who ordinarily are not active in politics.
 One evidence of the necessity of a new High school and more educational facil- tiles was shown at one of the polls on side of store were the following worlds "voteing place for the Seventh ward" Many of the High school boys noticed the spelling of "yoteing" and used that as a reason for having more school room.