The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-02-02
"NOTHING DOING IN
MUNICIPAL FIGHT
Politics Quiet as Sunday in
Toadvine
NO ISSUE IN FIELD YET
Begins to Look as Though the Entire
Campaign Is to Be Fought On
Pure Personalities of
the Candidates.
NO ISSUE IN FIELD YET

Such another municipal campaign has
never been. In spite of the TACT that
conservatives declare the race for the
mavoralty between George B. Ward and
Frank p. O'Brien will be exceptionally
close. and in spite of the fact that the
time for decision approaches rapidly
there "is nothing doing" There Is
lack of enthusiasm. The campaign is not
discussed on the street corners.
Contrary to custom, too, there Is not
n single race which is considered
feature On account of the number OF as
pirants for the position of chief OF ponce
and on account-of the good chances that
several in the race have for election,
there is an absence of enthusiasm.
But Two More Weeks.
The apathy is occasionally broken when
the candidates draw near, but 1t seems
that this change of the otherwise qules-
cent attitude is in respect Tor the can
didate that approaches. In other words
the citizens are not neglecting their ous-
mess to talk politics, as has been the
custom in the past.
The date of the primary is but two
weeks from MOnudgt Oob - Sf@N0
fact, and in spite of the fact that the
campaign has many features that would
invite the spectacular, inactivity gener-
ally prevails The reasons ascrioed are
that there are no issues. as yet ana
hecause there is no mud singing" In
the open.
No Issue Probable.
Concerning the matter of issue, there
is considerable controversy as to whether
any one man will spring platform
There seems to be no question IN which
the voters are interested more than an
other AS was supposed, 1t seems I'M
probable that the antt-saloon PLATFORM
will be prominently suggested, even
though some references have already
been made. In some quarters it Is thought
that the matter of the application for a
franchise on Fifth avenue by the Tide
water Development company Will cut q
prominent figure in the campaign, but
this idea is almost derided. 1t seems
that the policy of the present admins
tration is to keep Fifth avenue free OF
the rail. and that 1t will desire to turn
down both the application of the Tide7
water company and the advances of the
birmingham Railway. Light and Power
company The administration states that
there is plenty of time at any rate, to
consider this matter. That 1t will cut a
figure in the campaign is seriously
doubted.
Strong Undercurrent.
The question of municipal control of
the waterworks will not cut figure in
the campaign, because every candidate Is
on that band wagon and not only on
II. but each claims that he originated 1t.
incidentally, the Municipal Ownership
league, as told in The Age-Herald yes
terdav morning. has sent out questions
to all the candidates asking pointedly
the attitude of each as to the ownership
OF the water works plant by the munich
pal government.
In spite of this apathy, however, there
Is an active undercurrent. None of the
candidates is resting on his arms. On
the contrary each is In the field. quietly
talking to his constituents, or deep in
thought mapping out plan to defeat his
opponent. It is probable. too that the
campaign may yet be launched forth ac-
lively. and that the candidate will fight
In the open. informing the people As to
their qualifications and deriding the
chances and expostulations Of the other
fellows. So far, however. the candidates
are doing and saying little.