The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-03-08
ANOTHER PRIMARY
THE ONLY SOLUTION
For Selection of Police Com
mission Candidates
JACKSON AND SHELBY OUT
Both Say They Are in No Sense Can
didates, and Shelby Could Not
Accept If Appointed-Ward
Spends Busy Day.
JACKSON AND SHELBY OUT

1t is very probable that Birmingham
will again undergo the strain of a pri-
mary election. The members of the city
democratic executive committee seen YES
terday were of the opinion that it would
be necessary to call primary in April
to nominate candidates for the new police
commission.
Atticus H. Mulln, chairman of the COM
mittee, stated last night that he thought
the committee would be called together
next Tuesday night to consider this mat
ter lie thinks the primary imperative
II. B. Alternately favors primary be-
cause in this way only could the balloting
be confined to democrats
An effort was made yesterday to have
the meeting of the committee tonight
but this failed. At the meeting which
Chairman Mullin states will most prob
ably be called for Tuesday, the matter
of calling primary will be discussed pro
and con- If the primary is held candi-
dates can be nomina ted. If the primary
is not held, then the candidates will have
to be voted on in the general election
in May, at the time when every voter,
democrat and republican, has the right
of expressing his opinion.
Hot Campaign Expected.
1t is evident that the campaign for
seats on the new commission will be
red-hot one, whether the result is de-
termined by a primary or by the general
election. 1t is practically certain that
Commissioners-elect Parker, McGavock
on
two seats. In addition, it is safe to state
that the two men who are appointed
by the governor will ask for an endorse
ment of their short term of service. 1t
goes without saying that Governor Conner
will appoint strong men, men who will
be able to stand a chance to be re-
turned to their berths. Inasmuch as
Messrs. Parker, Copeland and McGavock
will be hard to beat, especially as there
is some sentiment prevalent on account
of their having been legislated out office.
The campaign will be one with de-
cided issue, too. 1t will be construed by
the voters that the candidates appointed
by the governor will represent the admin
istration, while those who are at present
nominated to membership on the defunct
board, will be construed as anti-admin-
istration.
AS yet, no appointments have been made
by the governor.
Mayor Ward Retcent.
Mayor Ward has not stated his opinion.
When seen yesterday, he said that he had
no idea who would receive the appoint
ments. He stated that he had made no
recommendations. The Mayor arrived at
his office at noon, and behind closed
doors, delved into a two weeks mail
that had accumulated. After finishing
this duty he went home fC> a much
needed rest. He received fiattering con-
CALCULATIONS on every hand. Mayor
Ward did not state what the policy of
the new commission would be. 1t is
known, however, that inasmuch as the
commission will be held responsible for
the efficiency of the police department, the
process of wedding out" will be inau-
gurated at once. 1t is known that the
Mayor wants a splendid police force in
Birmingham, and if the new commission
sewers the official heads Of several of
the present members of the force, and
increases the number of the department,
no surprise will be caused.
1t is not considered probable by those
in city hall circles that there will be
another meeting of the present commits
sion. 1t is thought the governor will
appoint the members of the new commits
sion right away.
Jackson and Shelby Out.
f. NJ. Jackson, who has been mentioned
as a probable appointee of Governor
Corner for one of the positions ON the
new police commission, made the follow
ing statement last night:
Il am not a candidate, and am not
even in a receptive attitude. In fact, I'M
der no circumstances could | accept Il
place on the board, even if the governor
were disposed TO confer this honor on
me. | am deeply interested in Mayor
Wards success, and have already done
what | believed my public duty - help
ing to secure his reelection. l none the
less appreciate the complimentary men
ton Of my name in connection with this
important office"
J. E. Shelby, who was also mentioned
as a probable candidate, stated yesterday
on his return from Montgomery, that he
was not an applicant for the appoint
81, I,