The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-11-27
COLONIES TO HAVE STIRRING CONTEST Campaign for Governor Has
 BegunIn Georgia HOWELL IS VERY STRONG Fight Will Probably Be Between Howell and Candidate of the
 Guerry-HaII Contingent.
 EstiII Also Popular.
HOWELL IS VERY STRONG
BY LAUREN FOREMAN.

Atlanta, Ga., November 26.-(Special)- Though the eehos of the presidential cam paign have scarcely died away the peo- pie of Georgia have been put on notice that they have gubernatorial contest on hand two years from now and In the state papers possibilities for governor are consuming large share of editorial att tention.
 The announcement a few days ago by Clark Howell, editor of The Constitu- tion, president of the state senate, and democratic national committeeman from Georgia, that he would be candidate for the democratic nomination for governor in 1906 has verified rumors which for sev- eral months have been current to the effect that he intended to make the race. Col. J. II. Estill, editor of the Savannah Mornings News who was defeated for the nomination four years ago, has come out In a statement practically announc- ing his candidacy, and Boykin Wright of Augusta, former attorney general, Is belsg urged by his supporters, though as yet he has made no direct statement of his candidacy.
 There are many rumors of other candi- dates. among those mentioned being Col. James M. Smith of Oglethorpe county. Georgia's millionaire farmer; Hon. J. Pope Brown, president of the state rail- road commission and former president of the Georgia Agricultural society, and Hon. Joe Hill Hall of Macon, who for number of years has been one of the most prominent and aggressive members of the lower house of the state legisla- ture.
 A Long Race Ahead.
 Around the capitol the prolific crop of early announcements for governor hlsB produced much jocular comment as to the number of Georgians who must con- sder themselves possessed of the qualities of the proverbial lean dog judging from the activity they have shown in precipi- tating a race which must be a long one, since by the action of the last state eoil- yention the primary to chose the eandi- date for governor cannot be held until the summer of 1906. This means a cam- paign of at least eighteen months dura- ton, plenty of time for many things to develop which will possibly change the aspect borne at the present time.
 So far the contest is a purely personal one. Neither of the three gentlemen considered candidates has given out public statement of his platform and it Is very improbable that any such state ment will be forthcoming for many months.
 It has also been a question of general remark that neither MT. Howell, MT. Estill nor MT. Wright have ever been considered as aligned with the radical anti-corporation faction which during re- cent years has played an increasingly prominent part in the states affairs and which under the leadership of Joe 41iil Hall in the house has succeeded in prac- tically shaping the states legislation. It it considered practically certain that this faction will have a man In the field when the real fighting of the campaign begins Just who this candidate will be Is the question which is worrying state politici- ans.
 MT. Hall is recognized as the leader of the radicals but in his aggressive fights has made number of enemies which may cause him to be considered unavailable as candidate at this time. Four years ago the radicals were led In the guberna- torial fight by Hon. Dupont Guerry but he has since that time quit politics to be- come president of Wesleyan Female col lege. When he took charge of the college he declared himself out of politics for good. John w. Akin of Cartersville has been considered as a man of great strength and on most questions in line with the Guerry-Hall faction, but his health has been bad and for this reason the probability of his candidacy is not considered as strong now as formerly.
 Looks Like Howell.
 Though 1t Is a far cry to the day of the primary it seems generally believed that when the votes are counted MT. Howell will be found the nominee. For over twelve years he has been intimately connected with the political affairs of the state and as speaker of the house and president of the senate formed relations is very popular with all classes and has never run to an extreme on any question which has been before the people of the state.
 Ever since the first nomination of Gov ernor Terrell and even before that time