The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-07
WEAVER'S FRIENDS
 PLAN CAMPAIGN
Drennen Not Yet Ready to An-
 neunce Attitude
COL. T0MLINS0N RETURNS
Downstate Gossip Puts Judge Weak ley Among Possibilities in Race For Governor-Other
 Political Gossip.

There was meeting last night in the office of Frank Andress Title Guarantee building, at which the candidacy of Judge s. L. Weaver for Congress was discussed from every viewpoint.
 The result was decision to form campaign committee, and make a close canvass of every beat in the district
 In connection with the race for Congress the rumor that ex-Mayor w. Melville Drennen would make the fight became more pronounced. It was even stated that he would make his announcement today or tomorrow. When seen, however MT. Drennen declared that he was not pre- pared to make a final answer as yet though he admitted that he was thinking seriously of entering the campaign with firm determination to win.
 There was another rumor current yes terday to the effect that Congressman Os- car w. Underwood will reach Birmingham in the near future, as soon as he could get away from his duties at Washington.
 In Other Districts.
 Inasmuch as the congressman from the Ninth and Second districts are the only members of the Alabama delegation who will have to contend for their berths, the two sections are the subject of much state gossip. Congressman Wiley of the Second is opposed by Thomas J. Hall, who is making a strong campaign, declaring that he was kept out of the last race because the entrance fee was made larger than he could meet, and that Colonel Wiley is a corporation lawyer. Congressman Wiley is in Alabama at present, and is making strong campaign He states that he will win with comparative ease.
 In the First. Congressman Taylor is without opposition. and Congressman Clayton of the Third will not have to fight for his place. There is rumored op- position to Congressman Craig of the Fourth State Senator Fred M. Blackmon of Anniston being mentioned as the prob able candidate Congressman Hef1in in the Fifth is without opposition, although he is in Alabama at present campaigning in his interest as a candidate for delegate at large from Alabama. Congressman Hobson will not be opposed in the Sixth, and the one time report that Congress- man RichafAson would have opposition is now heard no longer. Burnett will also have no opposition.
 Colonel Tomlnson Returns.
 Col. John w Tomlinson, after very successful campaign in North Alabama, returned to Birmingham yesterday.
 While in the northern section. of the state Colonel Tomlinson organized several hourishing Bryan clubs, and incidentally did an amount of good campaigning for himself He found few men who were not willing that he be one of the delegates at large from Alabama to the national con- vention.
 In Decatur Colonel Tomlinson was re- ferred to in a speech of introduction as a member of Bryan's cabinet in case the Nebra skan received the democratic nomination and is elected. Colonel Tom linson smiled when reference to this in- cident was made.
 q had quite a successful trip" said he. "I found nearly everybody In favor of Bryan. The great leader was never more popular than he Is today. I aided in the organization of several Bryan clubs, and found the people enthusiastic
 It is reported that there will be meeting of Bryan men in Birmingham towards the end of this month for the purpose of arranging some plan to get candidates for electors at large, district electors, and alternates to announce. It is evident that there will be a sufficient number of candidates for district dele gates, but there have been very few an- nounoements for alternates and electors. Colonel Tomlinson did not discuss this rumor.
 The several candidates for delegates at-large, except Congressman Clayton, are doing active campaigning. Congress- man Clayton, himself, will be in Ala bama within the next three weeks. Con- gressman Hefiin, as stated, is already here The three remaining candidates, Colonel Tomlinson. Captain E. w. Book CT and R. N Rhodes. all of Birming- ham, are doing some very effective work in their own interests.
 Judge WeakIey's Boom.
 Tn reference to politics generally, it is an interesting fact that Judge Samuel D. Weakley Is receiving quite boom for governor in the southern section Of the state. One of the Mobile papers, in speaking of the rumor that Judge Weak lev will be in the race to succeed Gov arror Coner maid the Birmingham at- torney fiattering compliments.
 While Judge Weakley has authorized no statement his friends state that he is not going to run for governor, but that he will assuredly be in the race for chief justice of the supreme court. His friends stn+a that he is doing silent camnaign-