The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-02-05
THIS IS
DEMOCRATIC YEAR
Solicitor StegaII Gets InSpira-
ton n'the East
THE WAR SCARE STORIES
Maj. D. w. Mclver Discusses Situation.
Alabama Division Southern Cotton
Association Meets In Mont
gomery This Morning.
THE WAR SCARE STORIES

solicitor Henry B. Stegall. former rep
resentative in the legislature from
Dale, member of the state democratic
executive committee, and one of the
most popular men in the state, passed
through Montgomery yesterday en-
route home from Washington, New
York and other points, and where he
had opportunities to talk to and mingle
with leading and representative men
of both parties, and he was greatly
strengthened in his belief that this is
democratic year and that Bryan Is
going to. be a winner.
Il went to Washington and New York
from Birmingham" said Solicitor Ste
gall, "and while there l had occasion
to talk to bankers and, incidentally, to
hear them talk of politics. 1t was re-
freshing to hear them cuss Roosevelt.
I even heard him called a populist. I
used to be called that myself and have
heard such accusations against Mr..
Bryan SO often that I thought more of
Roosevelt. There is no doubt that the,
crowd who represent the monied inter
ests hate Roosevelt, and some of them,
think, hate him worse than they ever
did Mr.. Bryan. They say he has not
kept faith with the platform on which
he was elected.
THE bankers gave a banquet one
night while I was in New York city
and they applauded J. P. Morgan and
drank in silence to the President of the
United States and the toastmoster took
occasion to emphasize the fact that
they simply respected. the great office
of President. There is no dispute over
the fact that the republicans are badly
and hopelessly divided this year. 1t is
generally admitted in Washington that
II the election were to be called off now
that Bryan would be elected. believe
he will grow stronger every day till
the day of the election.
of one thing you may be sure There
is nothing in the newspaper talk that
Bryan has no chance of being elected.
No sensible. serious man doubts he is
going to be harder to defeat this year
than he was either in '96 or 1900"
The War Scare.
ut is really amusing how the news
papers are catching at straws now for
some item of sensational nature in re-
gard to the much talked of war with
Japan" said Major D. w. McIver of
the adjutant generals office this morn
ing. Speaking of the items in the morn
ing papers in reference to the mobiliz-
ing the Ohio National Guard on the
Pacific coast THE fact is" he contin-
ued, 1.-The war department is preparing
for the joint encampments, maneuvres
and practice marches between the Ma
tional Guard and the regulars this sum-
mer, and our office has been for some
days in receipt of inquiries as to
how many troops of the Alabama Ma
tional Guard we can mobilize at Chick
amauga this summer. that being the
point selected for this instruction for
the troops in that immediate section, as
the Pacific coast has been selected for
the place of modifying national guard
of several western states for their in
struction.
General Graces, the adjutant general,
has had the subject under consdera-
ton for some little time and there Is
lust as much significance and scent or
war in the urging as to the Alabama
National Guard as there is in that as
to Ohio. The public need not get ner-
vous over a little breeze like that.
Assessment Board.
The state board OF assessments Will
meet tomorrow for the purpose OF nix
ing the assessment of the common car
riers. telephone and telegraph COM
panies.
The board is composed of the gov
ernor. secretary of state, state treas
urere. state auditor and attorney gen.
eral The meeting will be most I'M
portant one and it is expected there VIII
be many prominent railroad men pres
ent.
The board at it's last meeting raised
the assessment of railroad property In
this state s17,o00,oo0, but which 1t in
tends til do at this time is unknown. 1t
is thought. however. that the board
will set aside day in which to near
from one or two railroads and so on.
Cotton Growers.
The annual convention of the Ala
hama Division of the Southern Cotton
association will begin tomorrow morn
ing at II O'Clock in the parlors of the
Commercial club.
President w. II. Seymour says that
he has letters from quite a NUMBER OF
gentlemen over the state who expect 10
be present and who promise TO prlng
good delegations with them. A large
q attendance. therefore, seems assured.
Governor B. B. Conner VIII ADDRESS
che convention and other prominent
speaker will be heard.
THE convention will elect officers ana
Law plans for the business Oh the en-
suing year.