The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-10-20
CANDIDATES WILL
 NEED PROTECTION Plans Proposed to Establish a
 Fraternal League IS SIMILAR TO BASEBALL Professional Vote eetter Will Be Awarded Similar to Baseball Play
 CTS and This Trouble Will
 Be Avoided.
IS SIMILAR TO BASEBALL

In view Jf the serious differences said to be arising between the candidates for mayor as to the right to use the influence and services of certain professional ward leaders, a novel scheme has been sug- gested by which 1t is believed the evil can be greatly lessened and all can work in peace and harmony.
 It is proposed to establish a candidates protective league, based on the principle of the National Association of Minor League Baseball clubs, and it Is believed the scheme will be eventually adopted.
 The trouble Is simply this: A ward politician whose services are worth des- ignated amount per week has been known to work for two candidates at the same time. Again these ubiquitous vote getters have been known to sign a con- tract with one candidate after having been turned down by another on a ques- tion of salary. It is also reported that these gentlemen with q vest pocket in- fuence have been known to switch from enc candidate to another as the cam paign rolls by without first giving his former champion chance a. his ser vices.
 Frequently Runs More Than Once.
 It Is well known that candidate fre- quently runs for office more than one time, and for this reason the candidates protective league Is of double necessity
 Under the new rule the ward heelers are to be placed in a similar position to minor league baseball players. Accord ing to the rules of the national baseball associations a man cannot quit one club and join another unless he has been un- condltionally released, They can be held from season to season, provided they have not been drafted and go into faster company. All that will be provided for by the candidates leagues.
 Hereafter if a ward heeler signs con tract with a candidate he can be held for life so long as his services are de- sired If he does not deliver the goods, like a baseball player, he can be released at any time.
 Arrangements will be made for the ap- pointment of committee on disputed heelers or players, and this will really be the final court of appeal. This court will meet at the beginning of every cam paign and the candidates, most of whom are veterans in the business, will present their claims for certain ward vote getters
 VIII Make Awards.
 The board of award will hear all the evidence and then decide what candidate is entitled to the men claimed. The heel CTS will be divided out equitably and will be compelled under danger of suspension to serve the man to whom they are awarded. If they desert or attempt to work in an independent league they will be indefinitely suspended and can be blackllsted from serving candidates in the future.
 It is argued that this will greatly re- lieve the situation as 1t now exists and long before the campaign Is opened each entry will know who he will have on his campaign team. Under tho plan ward heelers can be bought and traded and, in fact, they will have all the benefits as laid down in the constitution and by- laws of the baseball associations.
 It is understood that all of the candi- dates will finally agree to the plan in the interaat of the snort,