The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-26
MANY CANDIDATES
 FOR SENATORSH|P Prominent Mississippians Want to Succeed McLaurin NOEL REMAINS INACTIVE 1t Is Believed That the Governor Will Leave Senatorial Question to the
 Legislature, Which Assem-
 bIes Very Soon.
NOEL REMAINS INACTIVE

ried to every nook and corner by this time.
 Who's going to be senator?" is the sal utation of nearly every man one meets, and no man can answer with any degree of certainty. so badly mixed is the situa- tion The oldest and most experienced politicians in the state are completely at sea.
 What is Governor Noel going to?'' is another question that Is put ar every turn. but even the governor cannot answer that, and will not give the matter con- sideration until after Christmas.
 Governor Noel has not stated whether he will appoint a senator or permit the selection of the successor to the lamented McI.aurin to go untrammeled and un- prejudced before the legislature. which meets here on January 4.
 The proposition Is too serious and inn portant to be passed over lightly, and the appointive power appreciates the sit- uation. He does not want to be placed in the attitude of trying to force any man, or the representative of any fac- tion on the legislature and the people of the state, and at the same time 1t is his
 
 senatorial toga on such shoulders as he pleases.
 The fact looms up that the man who might be named for the exalted position by the governor of the state would at best have but two weeks to wear the honors before the legislature of the state is called upon to elect. Tn the event that the governors appointee should be discarded by the legislature on January IS, the appointee well as the appoint i've power would be placed in very em- barrassing position, and that is one seri- ous feature of the situation that must be looked squarely in the face by all who may be aspirants.
 Governor Noel is silent as to what he Is going to do. In fact it is probable that he has not determined on his course, but 1t is said by those who are close to him that he is disposed to leave the doors of hope open to all corners and permit them to run it out before the legislature. The chances are that there will be a score of candidates It is known that there are quite a number who are al- ready putting out feelers and erecting their lightning rods at convenient places. There is no telling where the bolt will fall. The names of several of the most prominent men in the state are mentioned In this connection-some with authority. others no doubt without it.
 The list of eligibles has been given out but it was not complete Others have been brought forward during the past "A hours and it is possible that the first i shall be last and the last shall be first. IFov nF have been heard from, far as known If they have communicated with the gov ] ernor of the state. he has kept their se- crets so far. The telegraph and tele- phone wires annihilate distances. and it would have been very easy matter for them to make their wishes in the mat ter known yesterday. They may have done so but the governor has given out no hint. He had said ne could not take up or consider the matter till after the body of the dead senator was laid to rest There is no particular hurry. He wants time to discuss the proposition with his friends, as well as the friends and the champions of the several gentlemen whose names have been associated with tho succession. The list is 8 goodly one In point of numbers-it also contains the names of several as fine pieces of senator ial timber as are to be found in the state the names of men who would reflect
 
 in any company at the national capital It is from such list that the next United States senator should be taken, and no doubt will be no matter whether the gov ernor or the legislature makes the se- lection
 In addition to those distinguished gen. tlemen who were previously mentioned in this connection. there now looms up the name of Hon. c. H. Alexander, a dis tinguished member of the Jackson bar Mir Alexander has been in Chicago sever al days, and is there yet, but his friends got very busy in his behalf yesterday and communicated with great many of the legislature by wire with a view to finding out if he could depend on their support in the event he would permit thhe use of his name in this connection. Just how many replies were received is not known, but there is every reason to be- lieve he would have strong following. East Mississippi comes to the front with a possible candidate, and a good, strong one, too, in the person of ex-State Sena- tor c. C. Dunn Of Meridian. Mfr. Dunn would doubt have a f1ne following. It is known here that his friends and neighbors have solicited him to enter the race for the vacant senatorship. and that he told the delegation that waited on him that he would not consider the proposi- ton till after the funeral. It is be- lieved that in the event he should offer for the place Judge Adam Byrd would remain out of 1t, but that may or may not be true. So far everything is the merest speculation, but speculations are rife, and of interest to the political slate maker.
 The understanding here is that Judge Byrd would have the unqualified indorse- ment of the McLaurin following in the | event he should offer himself as the suc- l cessor of his departed friend. A great l intimacy has always existed between 1 Judge Byrd and the late senator. and the l chances are that if he could name his | successor he would ask that his mantle l fall upon Judge Byrd's shoulders. | Judge Jeff Truly is another prominent l friend of the McLaurins. whose name has l been whispered about, but it Is known to | his intimates here that he is out of po1i- I tics, and 1t is not believed that he has 1 any desire to re-enter the whirlpool | The names of Congressman Candlef. | Congressman Bowers, ex-Congressman l Ben H. Humphreys, Hon. Charles Scott, l Hon. Leroy Percy and others have been | mentioned, as has also that of Hon. J. l S. Sexton, ex-Gov. J. K vardaman, l Judge James Longstreet, and perhaps | others.
 l In any event. there is going to be one of l the Iiveliest contests the democrats of | Mississippi have seen in years The cleo l ton of senator will be about the first l business the legislature will attend to. The | election does not take place till Janu- | ary 1S, but that subject will be upper | most in every mind till 1t b disposed of | and the members wfll not be permitted to