The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-03-25

Takes Time and Money.
 It is generally believed that the original intention concerning primary elections was to hold them all al one time, so that there can be a division of the cost and loss of time. There Is no law by which candidate can be made to pay the expenses of holding the elections and certainly the state does not provide for 1t. However, the cost is paid by the candidates as the only way it can be brought about and there are many, in- cludng Chairman H. s. D. Mallory of the state committee who believe that all the candidates ought to be chosen at the same time.
 This. of course, Is not always desir- able for the reason that local conditions sometimes conflict with interest of state importance and might result in selections one. way or another not desired, hence there have come this year especially multitude of primary elections that have increased the number far beyond what it was In many cases under the old regime and laws. In other words, we are not getting fewer elections we were prom ised under the new constitution. but more. And the cost to those who run for office is something astonishing. State offices that pay $500 to $25OO cost the men who get them fully 5000 to land. And this is legitimate expense as the matter now stands, consisting of literature, postage and cost of getting about to see the voters. Nobody seems to know a way to remedy 1t, but everybody talks about what an evil 1t is, not as a part of the primary system per SC. but development of the ways and means attached to 1t. The question comes up then, is the pr- mary system to blame, or the way 1t is administered?
 Cunningham's Attitude.
 There is no diminuition of the talk about the intentions of Dr. R. M. Gun ningham, who is running for governor in competition with B. B. Conner, presi- dent of the railroad commission. A re- cent issue of the Mobile Item has this to say: From a prominent local poli- tican, who Is very close to Dr. Russell M Cunningham of Birmingham, 1t Is learned that the doctor is now prepar- ing a surprise for his friends in the shape of an announcement that he will not make the race against MT. Conner. This has been expected for some time but has been denied so often that 1t was not known which way to take the genial doctor"
 Another expression of like character is found in the Centerville Press which says that the Doctor has his friends all over the state guessing" and others are writing along the same line As if to show reason for what it has to say in the matter, the Mobile Item. following the expression above. continues: "Dr Cunningham is said not to have been im- pressed with the reception accorded him in his recent visits to Montgomery and Mobile. v In the same connection the Item intimates that there will be too much cost in the race to suit the doctor who does not believe in the principle or practice of spending money on elections However. the Item Is in error about the reception of the doctor at Montgomery whatever it may have been in Mobile He was cordially greeted here and there was little of his time that was not taken up with shaking hands or talking with his friends
 Legislative Tickets.
 A gentleman who was here from Bir- mingham this week says that there is little interest up there in the selection of men to come to the legislature next time, and thought it a matter to be great ly condoned. His belief is that the feel ing in the state is now running anti corporation and as Birmingham depends entirely upon this class of industrial or ganization it behooves the city and also Jefferson county to get seven of the best men to be found here at the next session
 From what can be learned. corpora tions of every kind and character are go- ing to be put upon the gridiron and made to show the reason not only for thelr faith but every one of their actions. Anti railroad has engendered a feeling of anti everything in the nature of capitalst;c combinations and the result is bound to be fell in the law making circles. Among the other enterprises to be handled rough ly If indications count for anything. will be the insurance companies some going so far as to predict that antitrust laws will be adopted in line with those of Mis- sissippi and other states which now make trouble. A well known agent who fought the insurance fight through the last legis- lature says that he fears that the next session will give them harder run than the last and he is sounding every man