The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-09-11
JUSTICE DENSON
 WILL LEAVE BENCH
Resigns for Purely Personal
 Reasons, He Says
SELHEIMER MAY SUCCEED
Judge Denson Declares That no Polit- ical Aspect is Attached to Action But That He Will Resume
 Practice in Lafayette.

Lafayette, September 10.-Associate Jus tice Nimrod D. Denson Of the Alabama supreme court has sent to Gov. B. B. Conner his resignation as a member of the state supreme court, the resignation to become effective at once.
 Judge Denson stated today that he has resigned for purely personal reasons to himself and his family. and he declares emphatically that there is no political aspect whatever attached to his action, thus setting at rest the rumor that he was ambitious to go to Congress and that he intended making campaign against Congressman Heflin, who also resides at Lafayette Judge Denson announces that he will open a law office and that he will resume his practice in Lafayette.
 The resignation of Judge Denson Is re- ceived through the state as a distinct surprise. While his health has been somewhat affected during the past sum mer it is not thought that his i'll health, which has not been of a serious nature, had anything to do with his retirement from the bench. He is rather reticent and does not state specifically his reasons for resigning.
 Excellent Record.
 Judge Denson has been five years upon the supreme bench His first reputation as a judge was gained as judge of the Fifth judicial circuit. which office he filled for 12 years. He achieved an ex- ceptional reputation for fairness, for learning and for ability.
 In the primary for justice of the su- preme court he was nominated by an ex- ceptionally handsome plurality. From the time he entered the primary, so strong was his popularity that it was conceded ha 6a vii oor ba supreme bench has but widened the rep utation he won as a circuit judge.
 Judge Denson would have come up for renomination and reelection next year with Justices Sayre and Anderson. His resignation leaves a vacancy which Gov ernor Conner can fill until the primaries act and the nominee of the primary is elected. Who the applicants for the va cancy will be cannot be told at this time.
 Governor Will Fill Vacancy.
 No action will be taken on the resigna- ton of Judge Denson until after the re- turn of Gov. B. B. Conner to the capitol. He is expected back from Canada and eastern points In about two weeks.
 Since the resignation was received in the office of the chief executive on Fri day speculation has been wild as to the motive casi It is given out in Lafayette that the justice is anxious to get back in the lawyers harness and back to the court room. In capitol circles, however, it Is quite generally conceded that the justice is after congressional honors, and that in order to get them he will oppose Congressman J. Thomas Hef1in at the next primary.
 For some time 1t has been thought that Judge Denson had an ambition for Con gress, and several months ago 1t was re- ported that he intended making a cam paibn against Mir. Hefiin. Both men re- side in the same town, while both have hosts of friends. The race, 1t seems cer- tain, would be a spirited one
 SeIheimer Boosted.
 Resignation from the associate judge ship of the supreme court on the part of Mir Justice Denson has set gossip to wigwagging about his probable success sor. Rumor has it, at the same time, that H. c. Selheimer of Birmingham will fin all probability get the job
 MT. Selheimer has long been favorably mentioned in connection with the state supreme court, while his services to the state as an attorney have been of the highest order. He is a warm friend of Governor Conner and because of this friendship and ability is expected to re- ceive the plum. g
 In the primary there Is at present only one candidate in addition to the justices now serving. He is Hon. Ormond Somer- vile of Tuscaloosa