The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-03-12
COUNTY POLITICS
THE NEXT NUMBER
Race for Sheriff is Probably
Most Interesting
MANY NAMES ARE RUMoRED
Sheriff, Clerk Of Criminal Court, Road
Supervisor, Legislators and SEN
ators Are to Be Elected
Next Year.

Baseball is by far not the only produce
of the balmy spring weather Birmingham
has been enjoying for the past two weeks.
There is something just as interesting to
many cltzens-county politics. During
the winter months the politician lies
low. He may meet three or four city
friends" during the course of winter.
but when the sun comes out in earnest
and the sap rises ne is given an opportu-
nifty to visit the country and shake hands
or perhaps take a meal with his country
constituency.
Although this is what Is called an Off
year in county politics still the would-be
office holder is hard at work laying his
lines for the votes that are necessary
to land him in the berth he desires.
In a years time-perhaps next April
the voters of Jefferson county will be
called upon to go to the polls and cast
their votes for a favored candidate for
several important county offices. The fol-
lowing officials are then to be chosen:
A sheriff.
A clerk of the criminal court.
A county road supervisor
Senate. and Legislators.
In addition to this the voters will be
called upon to nominate eight other can
didates who will serve the state. They
are:
A state senator.
Seven members of the legislature.
But back to the county officials prop
err. In the race for sheriff. which Is
one of the best paying public offices in
Alabama, there are over a dozen POSSIBLE
tiles rumored as candidates.
Albert Stradford who has been the
chief deputy in the office of the sheriff
for number of years, is one of the
prominent candidates. Mr.. Stradford says
that his platform is what he knows
with reference to the office. Capt. Frank
p. O'Brien, who made a good sheriff for
four years, will also enter the race, 1t is
said.
The present City Council furnishes the
names of three possible Candidates, with
fourth rumored. Alderman Harry Jones
of the Eigth ward, Alderman Walter
Moore of the Fourth ward and Alderman
Ben r. Barbour of the Third ward, are
candidates for the office. Close personal
friends of Mayor Drennen say too that
the Mayor will probably enter the race.
Mr. Drennen retres from the office of
Mayor early in May after service of
six years. and the only public office he
will then hold is that of president of
the Board of Education to which he was
unanimously chosen early In this year. 1t
was said for awhile that when Mayor
Elect Wards administration Is on the
wane, Mr. Drennen may again enter for
municipal honors. Mr.. Drennen denies
this, however.
Capt. John D. Handy is also mentioned
as a possible candidate for sheriff OF
Jefferson county. He comes from down In
that section of the county near Bessemer
and has many friends
Hugh McGeever Mentioned.
Hugh McGeever, who has served as a
member of the Board of Revenue for
many years. is also mentioned In connec-
ton with the sheriffalty. Just before the
new Board of Revenue was organized not
long ago the name of Mr.. McGeever was
prominently mentioned for the office of
president of the board, to succeed Capt.
A. ]. Tarrant of North Birmingham. who
did not stand for reelection For the rea-
son that Mr. McGeever would probably
enter the race for sheriff II is said that
he would not allow his name to be pre-
scented for the craftsmanship of the coun-
ty board.
George Phillips, member of the police
commission is, it Is understood, being
groomed by his friends to enter the race
for sheriff. Tom 8. Pound, one OF the
most popular engineers that has ever
pulled the throttle Of a locomotive out
of Birmingham, is also mentioned as a
possible candidate. The many friends of
Col E. L. Higdon say, too. that he may
enter the race.
James A. Downey will enter the race.
He is well known In this county and has
many strong supporters.
There are other names rumored. and 1t
Is suffice to say that voters OF Birming
ham will have the pick of a big list OF
good men to make their selection as
sheriff of the county.
Criminal Court Clerk.
John G. Bradley will be a candidate
for reelection as the clerk OF the GRIM
inal court. For several months past It has
been rumored In the court house circles
that opposition to Mr.. Bradley would de-
velop right in the county building, but
so far no definite announcement has been
made. The names of the rumored OPP
ponents to Mr.. Bradley are J. u. Nc