The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-08
WARD |S URGED ID RUN FOR GOVERNOR Mayor Only Smiles and Shakes
 His Head MANY CALLERS YESTERDAY John McCartin Tells the Mayor To His Face That There Is Not Man In
 the State Who Can Beat
 Him for Governor.
MANY CALLERS YESTERDAY

If Mayor Ward has the slightest inten- ton of running for governor of the state, he must have felt greatly encouraged yes- terday when no less than 20 people put the bee to buzzing in his bonnet
 John McCartin, street commissioner, after quoting P. G. Bowman and others to the effect that they considered Mayor Ward the logical man to succeed Cover nor Conner, gave him such boost that it might have been construed as an gent demand that the Mayor make the race.
 And there were others who selected yes terday as the day in which to mention to the Mayor that which they declared to be his duty-that he make the race for governor. Mayor Ward received the declarations with a smile and shook his head. However, when he made the declar- ation that though every man was glad at times to get out of politics there was always just one other step that he de- sires to take" his friends were in doubt as to whether or not Mayor Ward intends running for governor against Hugh S. D. Mallory of Selma, Walter Seed of Tus- caloosa. Henry Gray of Birmingham, per haps Archie Carmichael of Florence, and possibly Senator spragins of Huntsville
 NO man in the state could defeat Mayor Ward were he to run for the gov ernorship," stated MT. McCartin. No man throughout the state holds more completely the confidence of the people. Everyone believes MT. Ward honest, up- ,-1a terms as Mayor have made him popular throughout this state and well-known throughout America. Were he to run there is no doubt but that the business people of the state would line up with him. There Is no doubt either, but that the law and order element, the minis ters, the women and the children would work for him. because they all believe he would carry out, in a conservative manner the policy of the present admin istration. The next governor must be a business governor and Mayor Ward is the man."
 It may have been on account of the charges preferred by A. A. Gambill against the office over which Mayor Ward has jurisdiction that prompted the ex- pressions of confidence that fell fast and furious around and about the Mayor yes terday. From early morning until late in the afternoon the friends of the Mayor called at the office and he was consid- erably cheered.s As stated, by many he was nominated for governor, and by some urged to make the race.
 There was a small gathering in the city today" stated MT. McCartin, in. the presence of the Mayor land at this gath ering the charges made by MT. Gam bill were discussed. Some one read the resolution from The Age-Herald, and after its reading MT. Bowman remarked: really believe that would be fine plat form for George Ward to make the race for governor on There was a general concurring expression.'
 When asked for a statement in refer ence to the charges made by MT. Gambill MT Ward had nothing to say. There was little excitement at the city hall through out the day and the charges were seldom heard on the street.