The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-29
KNOX APPOINTMENT MAY HAVE BEARING ON 1874 CAMP PA|GN It Is Suggested That It May
 Aid in Inducing Gov.
 C0mer's Entry
COMER IS NOT EAGER TO RUN FOR GOVERNOR
Members of Official Family at State Capital Not Inclined to Give Seri- s. ous Consideration to Probable
 Candidacy of Harding


 Montgomery, September 2s.-(special) Since the appointment of John B. Knox of Anniston to succeed the late Asso- ciate Justice Robert Tennent Simpson on the supreme court bench, a number of people have suggested that the selection Of MT. Knox may have an important bearing upon the political campaign in 1914.
 \. The suggestion has been made that MT Knox's appointment, although con- sidered in many respects one of the wisest that Governor O'Neal could have made, may have considerable influence in inducing former Gov. B. B. Conner to enter the race for governor for next term. It Is practically certain that rail- roads will be an important issue in for mer Governor Comer's campaign should he again make the race, and several have suggested that the appointment of Mr. Knox, who has been identified with railroads for the past 25 years, will go far towards inducing MT. Conner not only to enter the race for governor, but in cooperating with an anti-rail- road attorney in opposing MT. Knox for .re-election on the supreme court bench -ieo succeed himself.
 Those who know MT Conner intimate ly maintain that he does not want to again make the race tor governor, de- claring that he still has senatorial as pirations, and that he will not run for governor unless he is forced to do so. It Is believed that MT. Conner would like to see the railroad question ad- just itself without any further efforts on his part, in order that he may have an opportunity to run for the Senate. But with the people of the state still fired on the subject of railroads and further railroad legislation, and urging him to make the race for governor, it is hardly probable that he would refuse what might be considered public de- mand.
 MT. Knox's Appointment
 MT. Knox's appointment has been the chief subject of comment during the past few days Regarded as one of the ablest and most brilliant lawyers in the state, there is no one who does not be- lieve that Governor O'Neal has made an excellent selection in so far as legal ability is concerned.
 But whether or not MT. Knox is strictly a progressive, in so far as the governors
 
 none has presumed to answer. They maintain that inasmuch as MT. Knox has , been railroad attorney environod by 3corporate influences, that it is hardly probable that he will be in full line with the governors judicial reform programme, talthough at heart he may be considered a progressive.
 And this is where many think Mir knox's appointment will have d strong tendency toward inducing MT. Conner to again run for governor Knowing that MT. Knox has long been identified with the Louisville and Nashville and Southern railway companies, and with railroads likely to be an important issue in the campaign in 1914, many have expressed The opinion that MT. Conner will not now further decline to make the race, or that he will fail to put forward an anti-railroad attorney to oppose the governors ap- poiptee on the supreme court bench.
 Other Candidates
 Members of the official family at the state capitol are not inclined to give seri- GUS consideration to the probable candi- uacy of w. r. c. Harding of Birmng- ham. While they all admit that MT Harding would probably make an able governor, and that his fine business abili- ty would go far toward putting the state on a firm financial basis they maintain that the well known Birmingham banker would scarcely be interested In the posi- tion, his various other interests being re garded by him as of more importance than four years in the governors chair. -, However there are many who believe that strong pressure should be brought to bear upon men of Mir. Hardings type maintaining that the time has come for q thoroughly business administration, with a man at the head of the states govern ment whose knowledge of finances would cfcff fltxaf ,,ff e.aty difficulties
 Another candidate for governor is Capt Reuben F. Kolb. commissioner of agri- culture and industries. Captain Kolb maintains that he is going to make the race for governor. and moreover declares that he is going to win.
 Whether or not Charles Henderson of Troy will offer for governor will probably depend upon MT. Corners plans, as it is not believed that he will enter the race with Conner in the arena. Walter D. Seed of Tuscaloosa will certainly be in the race. He has been candidate for governor for the past two years or more and it is not probable that he will retire in favor of anyone.
 James H. Nunnelee, recording secre- fary in the governors office, and Will liam l.. Martin. assistant attorney gen eral will certainly be candidates in the next state campaign, MT. NunneIee for the office of secretary of state and MT. Martin for the office of attorney gen eral While number of other candi- dates have been mentioned for both of these offices 1t Is not believed that any of them have definitely decided to entr the race except w. P. Cobb of Tuskegee, who will oppose MT. Nunnelee. Judge John Purifoy. state treasurer. has also been spoken of as probable candi