The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-06-16
Col. Bankhead and Gen. Shelley
Both in City
MANY TONGUES WAGGING
Both Refuse to Talk, Although Gen.
eral Shelley Admits He Came On
Personal Business-Bank-
head Keeps the Secret.
BY r. E. L. MEL.

Selma, June especial )-1tereS Il
mystery! Yesterdays train from Birming-
ham brought to Selma Gen. Charles NJ.
Shelley. Selma was formerly General
Shelley's home, but of late years he has
paid but few visits to the Central City,
albeit he has many warm personal and
political friends here The first place Wis
tied by General Shelley was the office of
Senator e. w. Pettus. General rettus
was not in, having only arrived that
morning at home from attending the SUI
preme court in Montgomery. From Sen
ator Pettus office General Shelley went
to pay a call on his lifelong friend and
some time republican opponent for Con-
gress, Judge George Il. Craig. To his
friends he announced he would be IN
Selma day or so. and right cordially he
was greeted.
Speculation was rife yesterday as to the
purpose of General Shelleys visit. What
ever the purpose. success was wishd him
In many QUARTS.
Today the Birmingham train brought the
well groomed form and jovial disposi-
toned John II. Bankhead. congressman
from the Sixth Alabama district, and the
especial target of Richmond Pearson Hob
son for satisfying of The ambitions of the
latter. The first place sought by Colonel
Bankhead was the office of Senator Ed
mund w. Pettus. Together these repre-
sentatiyes, in part, of Alabama In the ma
tional Congress, conferred for some time,
and together they visited the office of
Hon. IL. S. ID. Mallory, chairman of the
state democratic executive committee.
Mr.. BanHhead avowed ignorance of the
presence of General Sheney, and Gen
eral Shelley evinced surprise on learning
that Congressman Bankhead was in tbs
city. That they were unaware of each
others presence in Selma, and in ignor-
ance perhaps, of the purpore of the visit
of each other, is more than probable.
General Shelley, it is learned, came on
matters purely personal to himself. He
says, however, that although he has been
dormant for some time in matters polit-
zeal, that he expects to take an active
part in the political contest that seems
imminent for next year. That he will not
be personally a factor seems assured, but
his vigor is none the less dimmed since
he led the hosts of democracy to victory
in the Ides of 1892 when kolbism was
rampant, and he received with satisfac-
ton the answer from the black belt to one
of his inquiries, You take care of the
raw recruits, the old guard will do its
duty"
Il know what l came for" said Con-
gresham Bankhead when good naturedly
prodded about his visit. and what others
don't know won't hurt them?" answered
his interrogation. To the direct question
as to the purpose of his visit, Colonel
Bankhead laughing said he came to at
tend the barbecue of the Wholesale Groc-
ers' of the state, who are in session to-
day
A bold guess as to his visit hazarded
by your correspondent, is that he is anx-
ious to know just what sort of a sena-
torial primary the state executive COM
mittee contemplates holding next year
whether 1t will be a primary that will in
struct the whole legislature to vote for
the longest pole for the persmmon. as
shown by the aggregate vote, or whether
Ii will be a primary election ir each coun-
ty, the candidate receiving the highest
vote in the county receiving the vote of
the members of the Legislature thereof
under instructions from the people. What
he wants with the knowledge is the prob
lem that is not answered. That Senator
Pettus and Senator Morgan will both be
candidates to succeer themselves Is a
foregone conclusion. That no Alabamian
will have the temer.ty or hardyhood to
oppose them would seem the part of wis
dom. At any rate tile presence in Selma
of both Congressman Bankhead and Cen
eral Shelley is enough to start thousand
tongues a-wagging whether authorized
or not
Personally. Congressman Banlxhead has
a host of friends here. He lad the bulk
of the sympathy during his contest with
the naval hero In the last campaign, Sell
mans and citizens of Dallas being prone to
hold to the belief that a good congress-
man of several years service ought not
to be displaced. however able and zeal
Gus his opponent.
OF General Shelley, too much cannot
be said He has tie good wishes of a
host of staunch democrats and IL his visit
has to do with his personal advancement
his success is assured If II shall be left TO
the citizens and democrats of his old
home