The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-12-10

he will not ask full term in the office recently given him by the governor. It is whspered-and the judge takes it somewhat of ioke-that he will get out of politics entirely for four years, after which he will ask to be made governor. That is an ambition that does credit to man like Judge Carmichael. who came first to the service of the state as a mem- Der of the legislature thirty-ive years ago, and has been much of the time since in office. most of it on the circuit court bench. He is known from confines to center of the country as man of rugged honesty and courageous bluntness so far as his treatment of public questions go, and no man need be in ignorance of his position on any issue longe- than the time it will take to ask him for it.
 Race for Auditor.
 Eliminating Judge Carmichael from the race for auditor there Is left of the prac- tical certainties Brooks Smith, warrant clerk in the office now; Horace Hood, edi- tor of the Montgomery Journal; William w. Brandon. adjutant general; J. R. Ros- son. Cullman. There has been some doubt about Hood, but man very close to him told the writer this week that he would be in the race. There has also been talk to the effect that if A c. Sexton,
 
 race for secretary of state, as it is thought he will. Mir Rosson may not seek the audtorship, but no one Is prepared to say how much truth there is in the statement Mr Smith is a member of the state democratic executive committee, and General Brandon has been much in the legislature but the others have had little experience in office seeking or hold ing It looks like Brandon and Smith might appeal to certain clements of the same following. while Hood would no doubt be able to control a great many of the Johnston following with whom he was affiliated at the time the well known Jefferson county leader was at the forefront. Rosson is rank outsider so far as political families are concerned.
 Farmer Office.
 Ward of Henry, Selden of Marengo, and Wilkinson of Autauga, will no doubt be the complete line up for commissioner of agriculture. Wilkinson made some rep utation of desirable character in the legislature and Ward is a man of force and following in his section. Only one nan has announced for secretary of state Frank Julian of Colbert He made the race last time and has a fine list of friends already made. He has had much experience at the capitol being clerk of the house and of the constitutional con 
 tary of state, and Harry Shorter, deputy insurance commissioner, are talked of and Sexton will likely announce. It is pretty well understood that if Sexton comes out Shorter will not. but that if the popular chief clerk should fail to make the start Shorter will be in the running Some men seem to think that man not now known, will make the race for secretary of state and have a fine fol- lowing Little interest has been manifest ed in the other offices yet.
 Insurance Department.
 A matter yet In embryo. but which may have a big effect on the campaign for secretary of state, is the proposition to have the next legislature establish de- partment of insurance separate and dis tinct. and not attached to the office of the secretary of state, as it is now. only a few years ago the insurance business so far as the state is concerned amouDl- ed to very little. Less than ten years ago the receipts from the department were less than $40.O00 year. This year they will reach $10O,O00, and the detail is so yoluminous that 1t requires a great deal of hard work to keep it up. If the depart ment is established it may be that MT. Shorter will rest his chances on being lected to head the force and not consider the secretaryship. Importance attaches to the insurance interests for the reason that the next legislature will be asked to make several new laws. More pro- tection Is needed for the companies against incendiarism and more for the state against unauthorized writing. One suit is pending in Birmingham now for failure to observe the law about accept ing policies from companies not licensed in the state, and anoher on risk of nearly s5O.000 will be brought. A law is also