The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-01-17
WILL THE PRIMARY BE EARLY OR LATE2 Question Acute As Committee Meeting Draws Near PRESSURE FOR LATE DATE All Counties Which Have So Far Called Primaries Have Picked
 Early Dates and Sentiment
 Seems Strong.
PRESSURE FOR LATE DATE


 thereafter becomes more and more defined as the date for the session of the state democratic executive committee meeting approaches.
 There Is no doubt but that the people of Jefferson will vote for their county officers in April At the meeting of the congressional committee of the Sixth dis trst last week it was demonstrated that the people of that section of the state desire an early primary Madison will vote for it's officers next month. Bibb will hold it's primary not later than April. Washington county will elect it's officers in February, as will Montgomery. La- mar county has set it's primary day for April. The Young Mems Good Gov ernment club of Jefferson has passed resolutions urging the state committee to call the primary for April. A peti- ton being circulated at the present time having for it's purpose an early state pri- mary is being signed readily.
 So it is safe prediction that when the committee meets next Monday in Montgomery enormous pressure will be brought to bear upon the members to call the state primary for April-this being true in spite of the fact that the im- pression has got abroad that the ma- jority of the members believe August the better time for the balloting. The mem bership of the committee, according to the same impression, is divided. slight majority favoring the August date, which date, too, it might be remembered, is de- sired by Gov. B. B. Conner and his ad ministration.
 The committee will set a date for the primary, will devise a plan-plurality or najority-for the primary, and will prob- ably call a convention prior to the gem eral state election for the purpose of setting forth a new democratic platform. In spite of the fact that the actual bus mess before the committee will probably be dispensed with and considerable time expended in lengthy speechmaking is con sidered-in a short while 1t will be the cause or excuse for a gathering of all the politicians of the state of Alabama. Leaders from every section will be on hand not because they have business there, but because they desire to come in touch with each other and learn just what is planned. It Is possible, too, that as a result of several caucusses, schemes will be projected for the actual waging of the state campaign. The meeting Is judged one of great importance, not only because the machinery of the party will be put into operation, but on account of the gathering of politicians and other prominent citizens from every section of Alabama
 It begins to appear. too, from the de- velopments to date, that the election of a governor will renew the old strife between the "amenders'' and the ''de- fenders' of the constitution. It Is indi- cated, even, that the fight which termi- mated to all intents and purposes No vember 2s will cause a line of demarca- ton in the state executive committee. It is indicated that the majority of those who voted against the amendment will vote for an early primary, and those who voted to amend the constitution will vote for late primary. The hope that the lines will not be drawn as tautly in August as in April is given as reason why certain members Of the com- mittee, the majority, possibly, will cast their ballots for the later date. For the same reason, the defenders" have 1t. Governor Conner threw his strength in favor of the August date.
 Emnet O'Neal candidate for governor, in his speech before the Young Mems Good Government club in Birmingham last week, in referring to the fact that the amendment campaign will be repeated f,~,- ho . charged the defeated host with having revived the issue
 .'we have simply picked up their gage" stated he on that occasion. "The Rev. Brooks Lawrence, in making his report to the National Anti-saloon league in Chicago last month. charged the defend CTS with having practiced tricksry in defeating the amendment. and he stated. too. in that report, that the fight has tust begun, and that in spite of the re- verse of November 2s prohibition win vet be written in the organic law of the state. And pr. Crumpton, head of the Alabama Anti-Saloon league. has issued an address to the people of the state, urging the necessity of voting against the elevation to office of any man who opposed tho amendment.
 "It was hoped," Colonel O-Neal con- tin,ied. "that after the defeat of the amendment this issue which tore the state from top to bottom might be dropped from politics. But such, it ap- pears. Is not to be. They have hurled their gage into the ring. Can we do other than pick 1t upf'
 And tho audience in ono voice cried, ''No. no, nor'
 Tn case Colonel Mallory, Treasurer Seed and Judge Weakley continue in the race and divide the vote cast for the amend inent, 1t seems that nothing can defeat Colonel O'Neal unless others from the ranks of the defenders enter the fight. Of the names frequently mentioned as probable candidates-Jellks. Bowie, Spra- gins. Moody, and Henderson--it is prac- ttcaily certain that mono save the last is longer considering the matter. Will Charles Henderson, president of the rail- road commission, enterf This Is the question which Is vexing politicians from end to end of the state. On one hand. 1t is said that 1t Is certainty that he will make the race Sometimes . person is heard to remark that he hes received such information direct. And. again, It is openly acclaimed in some instances that he will not enter, because O'Nsal seems to have the advantage. and bscauss he (fIenderson) will be the logical can- didats in 1914
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