The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-11-12
.SEL MA WAS MECCA
 FOR POLITICIANS Many Candidates Gathered at
 the Fair Last Week OR. CUNNINGHAN'S SPEECH Those Who Expected to Hear Him Talk Politics Were Disappointed, for He Confined His Remarks
 to General Subjects.
BY R. E. L. MEL.

 for candidates, prospective and announced
 The word went abroad that the best that
 the Black Belt offords would be In Sesma attending the Central Alabama falr' ana the politician with penchant Tor olnce- holding recognized the opportunity or finding a constituency that could easily be reached.
 At the head of the list of candidates
 present was of course Lieutenant Gov ernor Russell M Cunningham. NOW pr. Cunningham has many friends in Selma.
 In the first place he has attended more
 than one medical annual meeting here and has always made friends by his brilliant addresses and brainy papers. His can didacy will receive cordial approval from the physicians of Dallas, factor In any political campaign.
 The candidates for commissioner of az riculture seemed, however, to hold the center of the stage and receive the fuil
 lime light during the fair. There were present three of the known candidates, and they did not let any grass grow un- der their feet There was Capt. William
 M. Selden of Marengo. He was truly In his element being Black Better, and It was "Howdy Bill" Hello Captain on every side. Then there was J. A. Wilk- inson. He lived in Selma for many years
 was a member of the city council and has a son. prominent member of the Dallas bar. Naturally he has large following in Dallas and was greeted most cordially John B. Ward was perhaps the least known of the trio of candidates for agri- cultural commissioner. He had friends made during his service in the legislature when representing Henry county, and these endeavored to introduce him to as many as possible.
 Senator Meadow Present. Alex M. Garber, candidate for attorney general, was also among the number pres ent honoring the fair with their genial presence. Thus far he has no opposition,
 but it is not likely that the wind up of the campaign will see him unopposed.
 Senator D. N. Meadow of Marengo spent almost the entire week in Selma. He did
 not announce his candidacy for lieutenant governor, but his friends state that he will be in the race, although his formal announcement Is not expected until after the holidays.
 The present commissioner of agriculture, R. R. Poole, practically told his friends
 that he would be candidate for treasur- CT at the coming primary He did not make an absolute declaration but those close to Mir. Poole declare he will be in | the race and will be elected
 J. Craig Smith was in the city during 1 the entire week, having one of the best | exhibits of stock at the fair and taking | many premiums. He did not talk politics l to any extent and would not say whether
 he would be actively identified with the Il nt,a. af.r.. .F Ia, fatl, | There is belief that Craig Smith will
 be rather the power behind the throne
 than the known head of the Conner cam | paign. and In either position it means many votes for MT. Conner that he would | not otherwise receive.
 The contest for secretary of state and | auditor was not made the topic of gen
 eral conversation among the fair visitors l but there is a sentiment hereabouts that | General Brandon will receive the bulk of | the votes for which ever office he al- | lows his name to be entered. There are l many Dallas county citizens high In 1 political circles who outside of personal | regard recognize the great work in and | out of the season, General Brandon has 1 performed for the party and will use
 their active influence to reward him.
 pr. Cunnlngham's Address.
 A visitor to the fair grounds Friday | who did not know that the genial lieu
 tenant governor was candidate for the | nomination for governor would hardly
 have guessed 1t from the conduct of that | gentleman or from his speech. The tele- l gram from MT. Conner seemed to dspel
 the political clouds which had lowered
 over the fair grounds as long as 1t was
 thought that he would be able to get
 here and enter a joint discussion Dr. | Cunningham and the other candidates | yh.,x n1o fs, fnA
 a little relaxation and as if by tacit
 consent personal politics played a small | part in the days pleasures
 They sent most of their time examin- | ing the fine exhibition of live stock and
 more was said about Red Polls" Here | fords'' and "Jerseys' than about rail- | roads or railroad rates. When Dr. Gun
 ningham finally went into the grand | stand to speak he seemed to have all l most forgotten that he was practically in l the midst of campaign and pitched his | remarks upon industrial and commercial | matters almost entirely. He seemed to | particularly impress his hearers with l what he had to say about immigration to | Alabama He took the position squarely | that this state needs and desires only | the better class of white immigrants, | men of kindred race and of ability to as- | simulate our civilization and ideals of cit | izenshp. His statement that the soil was about the last of the great gifts of 1 nature to Alabama which was still held | by the sons of the state, the sons of the 1 men who made Alabama, made a deep | impression. and his appeal that now that | others had come in and secured mineral | wealth and timber wealth, for the men of the south to hold fast to her soil was vigorously cheered. The speakers re-
 marks on education were we'll received
 and a number of graduates from Monte-
 vallo cheered heartily his tribute to that institution.
 Those who expected much politics out | Of the speaking were disappointed, but they did hear a fine address for fair ! crowd and occasion. It was universally | said that pr. Cunningham had handled | himself with great tact and courtesy in | view of the absence of his opponent and left most pleasant impression upon all who heard him.