The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-27
MUCH DEPENDS ON CLAYTON'S COURSE May Offer For Governor Or
 Senator FIGHTS IN DISTRICTS All Alabama coneressmen Except Three Will Have Opposition Next Year-Mobile Has an Inter-
 esting Situation.


 aspiration to fill the office of governor of Alabama.
 And it has been said that it is he who
 might oppose John H. Bankhead for re- election to the Senate of the United States.
 And, on the other hand, friends close
 to MT Clayton contend that he is satis- fled with his berth as congressman, that the difference in the salai les drawn by congressman and a governor is such that he would not care to turn loose the former for try at the latter, and that strenuous campaign of very doubtful outcome will cause him to postpone an attempt for senatorial honors. The action of MT. Clayton, whatever 1t
 is, will have a great effect-an effect al- | most electrical-on the political situation of the Third district
 There are half a dozen men, politicians point out, who are waiting to leap in various directions-the directions depend ing on the outcome of the Clayton ru- mors.
 In case MT. Clayton runs for the gov ernorship 1t Is quite probable that there will be at least two aspirants for his | congressional berth. It is understood that l Tom Espy of Dothan, a fine lawyer and brilliant orator, who struck splendid blows against the prohibition amendment | to the constitution, and Reed B. Barnes i of Opelika, another strong member of 1 the Alabama bar who was untiring in 1 his efforts to defeat tho amendment, would like a try at the congressional berth of the Third.
 I In case MT. Clayton contents himself with his present position it is not alto l gether improbable that Tom Espy will oppose him. In Houston county, where Espy lives the sentiment against the
 late amendment was exceedingly strong. and there Espy's friends are urging him l to enter the field. They conted that MT.
 Clayton came out against the amendment
 at the very last hour. and that his in- | terest was only of the half-hearted va 1 riety.
 Concerning the Judgeship. l Politicians of the Third do not believe
 that MT. Barnes of Opelika will oppose MT. Clayton, but that in case Clayton remains in his present position the Lee
 county attorney will offer for the judge
 ship recently vacated by Judge A. A.
 Evans, and now filled by Mike Solly. an
 appointee of Governor Conner.
 Judge Solly Is candidate for another term C.. l.. Conner, brother of Cover
 nor Conner, has already entered the race
 against MT. Solly. Pressure was brought | to Gfota Gauo Tor U
 to enter this fight, the argument being 1 that he could win hands down, in view of the present political condition of the
 state, against an appointee of Governor l Conner, on the one hand. and a brother of i, Governor Conner on the other. l But as Senator Thomas has entered
 the race for lieutenant governor 1t Is be- lieved that several gentlemen, who might
 otherwise have been hands off, will make
 an effort to take advantage of a situ- 1 ation which cannot be viewed in any 1 other light than propitious. Politicians
 do not believe that either Judge Solly or Mir Conner will sit on the circuit bench of the Third after the expiration of the
 term of the gentlemen first mentioned. l While the political situation of the
 state was never in a more interesting
 condition, the Third district. 1t is prob-
 able, will moro prominently than any l other, occupy the limelight. Albert Bush Mentioned. 1 Plans are being laid in the First dis
 trict to defeat George w. Taylor. who
 has served that district as congressman
 since the beginning of the F1fty-hfth | Congress.
 Opposition to MT. Taylor is based on the fact that he favored the proposed prohi- | bition amendment to the constitution, | such a position, in the opinion of res- idents of Mobile county. being little less than anarchistic.
 First, Mobile endeavored to induce | Thomas M. Stevens. one of the best law yers of the state, to make the race. and ] now that MT. Stevens has declined. many | citizens are centering their political affec- | ton on Albert P. Bush, son of the 1 lamented Col. T. G. Bush of Birmingham. MT. Bush managed the anti-amendment | campaign of Mobile county and is a man of great influence and personal | magnetism. In case he enters the race. Congressman Taylor, in the opinion of political students, will have none other | than the most able opposition Congressman Taylor's position on the rivers and harbors committee will stand 1 him in good stead in case strong oppo- sition develops. It Is pointed out by tho 1 friends of MT. Taylor that 1t is essen- l tially that on account of the position of the city of Mobile. the First district rep resentative be a member of the rivers | and harbors commmittee. And it is point ed out that several years will be required | for MT. Taylors successor to land posi- | ton on a committee as important as that of rivers and harbors
 The understanding Is that Congressman I Taylor is viewing the efforts to develop opposition without especially great in- terest.
 BIackmon and Garber. Since the determination of Congressman William B. Craig to retire at the con- clusion of the present Congress. to which
 he was elected without opposition, the Fourth district is likely to see . spirited race between aspirants for the honor of being his successor.
 State Senator Fred L. Blackmon of
 Anniston, who is completing hts second \ term as state senator, is considered . | candidate. and ono very probable of suc- | cess MT. Blacizynen is exceptionally well known throughout the Fourth and during | fhA racaut amendment canDaien in