The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-08
Political Forecastino.

Several men of prominence are already mentioned for the office of associate rail- road commissioner, made vacant by the death of Maj. John c. Harris of this city. Here 1t is understood that Secre- tary s. P. Kennedy, who has been with the organization since the last election, has a good chance to land the plum. He is an old railroad man, an afore- time shipper and has had experience in the workings of the commission in it's most strenuous times.
 Senator John A. Lusk is mentioned for the place. as is Thomas Plowman and H. l.. McEldery, both of Talladega. Col onel Lusk was a Conner leader in the senate and made many friends for the governor who will have the power to fill the place by appointment. Mr. Mo- Eldery ran in the primary at which Ma jor Harris was nominated and secured a good vote. It is also said that there is show for H. E. Skeggs of Decatur, who ran before. and W. J. Nesbitt of the same place. who is a great friend to the administration.
 It Is said that MT. Kennedy will have the indorsement of the other two mem bers of the commission. As both are out of the city this report could not be verified.
 Negro Teachers Arrested.
 Nine negroes were today arrested and are now either in jail or out on bond, charged with having secured in Illegal way the questions for the state examina- tion of teachers and prepared answers to them, so that they might pass without difficulty. They are w. R. McCord, r. A. Ulmer, Thomas McMilan and Ellen McCraw of Dallas county; R. B. Sher- man and J. A. McPherson, Montgomery; Nick Solomon, Dallas county, and Arian Hudson, Birmingham.
 It has been known for some time that questions were secured by negroes in Middle Alabama counties and answers prepared beforehand, but they were not caught. The superintendent, on finding that there were leaks, removed the print ing to another state and yet they got out. Try as they might, the department officials were not able to stop the prac- ice and a few negroes were getting cer- tifcates every year that were not entitled to them.
 When the July papers were sent out a few days ago close watch was set. In only few days the department was mo- tifed that the same old tricks had been played and that negroes in several sec- tions of the state were selling the an- swers to those who were desirous of talk ing the examinations. Reports had it that considerable business was being done and this put the officers of the depart ment on their guard. The result was that the negroes arrested were suspected. Evidence Found.
 When the prisoners were searched in the office of Superintendent Gunnels it was found that they had many slips of papers with answers written on them. One of the women is said to have con- fessed that she bought the answers as late as Monday night. The answers were to questions sent out for the July ex- aminations. When the collections from the entire number was laid out in pile
 1t made a great heap, more than it seemed possible to get into the pockets of the accused.
 The penalty for the offense is not less than $100 fine and not less than six months in jail. The persons arrested will be tried before Justice of the Peace M. H. Screws on Thursday
 Superintendent Gunnels says he cannot tell how the questions are thus made pub lc There must be a leak somewhere,