The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-11-03
NEXT YEAR WILL BE YEAR OF POLITICS Many Interesting Contests
 for Alabama PLANS FOR PRIMARY Selection of States Choice for Pres- ident-Many Names Suggest
 ed for Congressman At
 Large

T. determine the argument as to whether or not it will be advisable to hold a presidential primary in Alabama next year, efforts are under way to procure d meeting of the state democratic executive committee immedia tely after the Christ nia5 holidays
 in case a primary is called it is certain that the three leading candidates for the democratic presidential nomination will open headquarters in Birmingham.
 The friends of Oscar W. Underwood, acting on their own authority, it is prob able because the congressman has an- nounced that he is not a candidate. will natui ally make an active campaign. Friends of Judson Harmon and Woodrow Wilson are anxious for the opportunity of opening campaign headquarters in Ala barna, for they believe that their candi- dates will be able to make a respectable showing in spite of their certain defeat.
 1t is understood that the members O. the committee are divided as to the feasi- bjlity of calling primary. It is the pres ent intention of the committee to get to- gelher about the middle of January.
 Oi.Oulu al Pl po iiS''' the race for honors between Underwood, Harmon and Wilson would probably eclipse all others in point of popular in terest.
 But 1912 is certain to be a big political year even should the committee deem t unwise to nominate candidate for Presi- Jert save in convention. Next year a congressman at large is to be chosen, a president of the railroad commission, q chairman of the game and fish commits sion, and delegates to the state conven- tion It has been decreed that the conven- ton shall nominate and elect two judges Of the supreme court In Jefferson and in other counties, candidates for various county officers will be chosen. And still smother matter of great interest will be the constitutional amendment election as 2 result of which it will be determined whether or not the Jefferson county off placed on a salary basis
 No opposition has as yet been formally announced to Charles Henderson, presi- denr Of the railroad commission, or John u. Wallace, Jr., fish and game commis. sioncr. From political rumors, however, 1t l.; indicated that Cyrus B. Brown, at present secretary of state, will oppose MT. Henderson, and that Capt. Pete Mastin, who represents Montgomery county in the lcwer house of the legislature, will oppose Mr. Wallace.
 MT. Henderson was appointed a member of the railroad commission by Governor Conner, and was later elected to serve an other term by the people. MT. Wallace. ao a result of individual labor in the leg stature, aided in the creation of the fish and game commission of Alabama, was put at it's head and has never been dis placed. It is generally believed, however. that MT. Brown and Captain Mastin would make the race interesting were they to enter the lists.
 There are number of prominent citi- zens of Alabama who are said to be gi coming themselves for the job of con gressman at large, to which in virtue of the increased population of Alabama this state is entitled.
 Samuel c. Jenkins of Bay Minette, rep- rtsentative of Baldwin county, has already done some preliminary work. Tom L. I.ong, the well known politician of Wal ker county, is seriously considering ,n- tering the fight. H. Y. Brooke, one of the administrations examiners of public &C., counts Is another who is to be reckoned with. Perry Thomas of Barbour, former president pro tenn. of the senate; exGov. W. D. Jelks State Senator Watt T. Brown. William B. Bankhead and others are receiving fiattering mention. Of the races for state offices 1t is estimated that tiiis enc for congressman at large will be tne nos. interesting
 Some of the well known newspapers of r.orttern Alabama have recently made the suggestion that the place of congress- man at large be given to Maj. w. W. Screws, the veteran editor of the Mont Sopery Advertiser, and the suggestion is meeting with favor all over the state.
 All that is required to put the forces of the various candidates into motion is the session of the state executive commit tee. The candidates and friends of can dldates are those who are at the bottom of the plan to have the committee meet at an earlier date than January 15, and
 
 will be brought to bear on Chairman Goodwin.
 if a presidential primary is held the state convention will simply instruct the delegates to the national convention as to the candidate for whom they shall cast the votes of Alabama.
 If presidential primary is not held. the test of the presidential candidates strength will occur on the floor of the con vention. Each county in the state will elect delegates to the convention, and there will be an exceptionally large num- bel of candidates on account of enthusi- asm resulting from the belief that 1912 is to ,e a democratic year.
 The delegates to the state convention, according to information furnished by Chairman Goodwin. will number between 610 and SC0