The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-01-03
OF TIMBER
FOR SENATORSH|P
John C. Kyle Is Latest Candi-
date in Mississippi
ALEXANDER is POPULAR
1t Is Understood That Mr.. Alexander
Has About twenty-five Votes
Pledged and He VIII Be
Right In the Race.

jackson, Miss, January 2.-tSpecial)-
There is little that is really new in the
senatorial situation tonight, bat even the
willing to rehashng, If necessary to
get little dope" on the prospects of the
avowed candidates, or as to the probabili-
ties.
The only formal announcement for the
day is that of John c.. Kyle of Pamela
county, a former member of Congress
! who served his district three or four terms
and went down and out because he could
not join forces with the free silvertes
some twelve or fifteen years ago, and who
declined denomination rather than sur
render his principles.
It is believed here that Mr.. Kyle will go
into the race before the legislature with
goodly number of votes from the north
western counties of the state, and his
chances are apparently just about as good
as those of any other man.
c. H. Alexander, the very first candi-
date to announce for the McLaurin sue
cession has arrived from Chicago, where
he has been two or three weeks under the
care OF celebrated occulist. and tonight
his friends held a caucus at the Edwards,
the political headquarters of the state
now, as always. The caucus was largely
attended Several of the most prominent
men in the state were there. Men who
appreciate the situation were there, and
the opinion was freely expressed that Mr..
Alexander would be one of the very
strongest candidates before the legisla-
ture. 1t is understood that he has about
20 votes pledged, with others liable to
come under his banner at the proper time.
It is confidently believed here that Mr..
Alexander will have more votes on the
first ballet than will any other one man
in the race, save Ex-Governor Vardaman.
and 1t is not believed that he will be far
in the lead. It is claimed that a sufficient
number Of votes have been pledged
against Vardaman to defeat him.
but that is exceedingly doubtful
Members of the legislature are not
running over each other to get to sign a
pledge for or against any other man, and
SO far 1t Is any mans race for the senate
Several very prominent democrats are
still flirting with the situation and have
not as yet said positively that they will
be candidates for the McLaurin success
sion, but 1t is confidently believed that
there will be a dozen men to be voted for
on the first ballot
1t is still the field against vardaman.
and his friends declare he is going to be
the winner.
Senator Gordon's Tenure.
The Clarion Ledger tomorrow will print
the following pieces of political history
bearing on the squabble that has arisen
regarding the statement given out By
Senator McEnery of Louisiana. and
others, to the effect that Col James Cor
don, recently appointed Senator from this
state, cannot hold the office after the first
day on which the legislature assemblies:
While not assuming to contradict what
great lawyers say. when they assert that
a senator appointed during the recess of
the legislature TO fill vacancy can only
mold 10 the meeting of the legislature.
| beg to observe tsat this view has not
heretofore been held generally, nor by
the Senate of the United States, and that
the Senate of the United States has not
heretofore accepted this view. The rule
observed by the Senate has been
tnat when vacation appointment was
made as allowed by the Constitution of
the United States. that the man appoint
ed held until his successor was elected
at the next meeting Of the legislature
or II the legislature failed to elect. adj
journing without doing So the APP
pointee's term would, of course, be ended.
without much research, at least two
precedents obtain in our own state:
on December /, 1851. acting Governor
winfield appointed John ]. McRea to fill
the vacancy caused by the resignation of
Jefferson Davis. The legislature met on
January 5, 1852, when, according to the
views now advanced, McRea's term would
have ended. But 1t did not end until the
18th day of February of the same year.
when the legislature elected his successor
stephen Adams.
"On October 8, 1897, H. D. Money was
appointed to fill the vacancy caused by
the death of Senator George. When the
legislature met, according to the idea in
question, Senator Money would have been
out. But such was not the case-he
served right on without question until the
24th day of January of the same year.
when he was elected by the legislature for
the remainder of the unexpired term of
Senator George.
So unless there be something in the
seemingly improba BILE suggestion as to the
circumstances that Colonel Gordon will
not have an opportunity to appear and be
sworn In the senate, which has adjourned
for the holidays, until the same day that
the legislature meets, there seems to be
no reason why there should be any oues-
ton as to his being seated and remain A.
senator until the legislature elects his
aIRFaQG0r q rrr,c l.