The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-01-27
CHAIRMAN WILL GALL SOON
Party's City Election Probably
 Held at Usual Time.
First Political Contest Under New znunieipaI Code Already shows sisns of Beiss intensely Ia- terestins--- Ground Thor-
 sushiy Covered.

The statement yesterday morning that Gaston Gunter, now president of the Council. had positively announced himself a candidate for the mayoraity of Montgomery, has opened the cam paign in which, 1t is believed by those who seem to have the knowledge of the situation politically. he will have as an opponent |. J. c. Tyson, member of the Council from Ward Two and an active and zealous 9ivic worker in the town.
 If more is needed to bring political matters to their critical stage, where they may have definite settlement though perhaps not an early issue. 1t ts to be had in the statement of John A. Fillmore. Chairman of the City Demo- cratic Executive Committee. made yes terday, that within a few days he would make public the time at which he would summon the Committee to- gether to designate the day upon which the primary for Montgomery will be held A/
 It may we'll be doubted if there has ever been in Montgomery so general campaign, involving so nearly total of all possible policies and issucs, as will be the municipal campaign that is now incipient With two of the strongest candidates, whether as re- gards record of past accomplishments or number of social and political friends and helpers. or activity in can
  with perhaps one or more aspirants, of long experience and potent alliance, to be named within the week; and with long list of matters to afford plat forms the struggle for the mayorafty alone will be notable for It's attention to every feature that may make or mar the future.
 It is not the only contest for the entire city. The voters of Montgomery will choose President of the Council, for fierly selected by the Aldermen from their own ranks. and while there is more of doubt as to the personnel of the aspirants fin that case, 1t may not reasonably be expected that the ofice will go easily and by default by lack of distributed ambition to the fortun- ate man who will have seat upon the platform in the Council Chamber in he City Hall.
 And within the wards there will be Inc smaller but not less animated bat lies which, to the immediate constitu- Bnts at least, are qkite as intensely Interesting as the general conflicts.
 What the attitude Of the candidates, prospective and committed, is towards lhe time of the DSmocratic primary, , 10th not yet appear. The regular elec- lion, by provision of the new Municipal Code. will be held on The third Mon- day fin September. in the past it was held in May. In the last municipal campaign. that of 1907, when W. M. Feague was elected Mayor, the primary was held in April. It may be a queg- lion whether with the regular election postponed by four months, the primary will be put off. Such a postponemenf, however, is not probable. The cam paign is siready commenced. and it is not expected that candidates would wish to stand the storm and stress of 50 much longer journey through the desert of fearsolne expectation as the logical addition of proportionate tirae would make. The date of the primar9s therefore. is indicated to be this side of May 1.
 Mir. Elmore, speaking of the coming convention of the Executive Committee. said that as usual the members of the committee would be guided, so far as is expedisnt. by the wishes of the par- tvs candidates.
 The intense interest in the campaign Is not the less notable because of the fact that both the election and the inauguration of the next admtnistra- ton are far in the future. The men who will be regularly elected next September will not have tenure of of- flee until the first of october. 1909. Yet is the struggle begun.
 There are no developments of the 1 conditions recorded yesterday morning ] by The Advertiser yesterday. MT. Gun terB IOTulaI announcement came SOOh~ CT, perhaps than some had expected; l and it will tend to precipitate the other | candidates' entrances upon the stage. l Mir. Tyson, regarded as his principal op- ponent has not yet employed the l newspapers to say that he will enter 1 the race. but 1t is practically known | that he will. Whether w. N. Cox, l a member of the Council in the last | administration. and man of many 1 friends and adherents, will try for the | place. is not known. Other candidates. | too, have been offered tentatively by | their friends, but they have as yet kept | a trifIe to the background awaiting | a more decided turn of affairs
 Both Ira H. Virgin and James S. | Parrish are believed to be very desir- | ouS of the Presidency of the Council, l a face in which little oher conflict l has heen aroused. though there is yet | time. Mir. Virgin, through his friends. 1 has to all intents and purposes said-k that he wants the place and is going | to secure it If he can. He is now a | member of the Council from the city l at large. MT. Parrish, who is a mem- l ber from Ward One, has been more re- 1 ticent, and is reported to be undecided |