The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-19
POLITICAL GOSSIP
 AT THE CAPITAL Primary In August Seems to
 Be the Popular Idea SOME PRIMARY HISTORY Only Two Railroad Commissioners to Be Elected-Henderson Is In Till
 1912-Some Cosby Per
 sonals from the Capital.
SOME PRIMARY HISTORY
By HERVEY w. LAIRD.

Montgomery, December 1S.-(Special) J. A meeting of the state executive commit tee in January and the primary in Au- gust seems to be the best dope on the democratic campaign in the state Just at this time. What appears to be straight tip fixes the events as stated. The demand for an August primary has found support in every faction of the party, even though a large number have expressed wish for an earliar date. A candidate-and they have peculiar ways uary for the committee and August for the primary Is the lead now.
 Outside of the announcement of Col Emmett O'Neal the week has brought forth little new in the gubernatorial talk. At an umber of places there have been conferences of the friends of those who would be favored, but the status has not been changed. It was confidently ex- pected down this way that Senator Frank Moody of Tuscaloosa would give an inti- nation of what he expects to do, result ing from the call made by his neighbors and friends, but it has not come Instead Is the talk more or less general, that the Baptists are trying to prevent both Moody and Mallory from running. Men who keeps tab thinks, however, that after all Moody will be in.
 Some Primary History.
 With the adoption of .he new consti- tutlon in 1901 came the primary for state offices and 1t is the belief of those who study conditions that 1t is here to stay, even with its heavy burden of ex- pense. There are many who think that any plan by which it costs a man years salary to get an office Is bad one and there will be agitation for long time to change 1t in some way. But the general primary idea is here to stay, 1t appears, and the only thing expected is a change in the met nods, with the pos sibility that the state may come in and take charge, paying all the expenses. This Is generally advocated and was part of the platform of 1905. upon which Gov. B. B. Conner and the legislature were elected.
 Next years voting must be interesting. There will be chosen a governor, secre- tary of state, two associate railroad commissioners. treasurer, an attorney general. superintendent of education, auditor, commissioner of agriculture, with four members of the supreme court. Also nine congressmen and Q member of the United States Senate to succeed John H. Bankhead. whose term expires in 1913. W hile the nominations are nom- nations, they amount to election, so the choices made at the primary are to be the new officers of the state.
 Why Four New Judges.
 The law anticipates that only two mem- bers of the supreme court shall be elect ed at any one time, save that when va eancies are filled they shall run only to the next general election. As result Chief Justice Dowdell must make the race for the place at the head of the court; Justice Sayre. who succeeded him by appointment, must run for that part of the unexpired term of Judge Dowdell ending in 1912 Justice Evans, who sue ceeded Justice Denson by appointment, and Justice Anderson will enter for full terms beginning the winter of 1910.
 Chief Justice DowdeIl is in a place oc- cupied by four men, one of whom is dead. The late Thomas Mcclellan was elected chief justice in 1904. but died some time after. Gov. William D. Jelks appointed Judge Samuel D. Weakley of Birming- ham to the vacancy and he was beaten in the general election in 1906 by John R. Tyson. Some time ago Judge Tyson resigned and Gov. B. B. Conner promoted Judge Dowdell. This shows that the dead chief and three others, two of them his associates on the bench, held this high honor in one official term of six years. So far as is known not a member whose time is expiring has any opposition to re- election. All are asking 1t
 Two Railroad Men.
 The term of President Charles Tender son of the Alabama railroad commission does not expire until 1912. He was elect ed president last year. Tn 1906 he was chosen associate commissioner and raised to the presidency after the retirement of Gov. B. B. Conner by appointment. Last year he was elected for q full term on his own account W. D. Nesbitt, as- sociate, was appointed to the original va- cancy created by MT. Henderson, and, on the death of Maj. John G. Harris, over e year ago, the governor appointed John A. Lusk to the other position.
 Strange to say, with the first term of elective commissioners under the law changing them from appointive, two of the three members were appointed, and tho same ratio exists at present, only the president being elected by the votes of the people, MT. Nesbitt will not ask for but Colonel Lusk will. New men in the running will no doubt be s. P. Kennedy, secretary of the commission, and Frank N. Julian, secretary of state Neither of the latter has announced, but they are regarded here as certain to go in.