The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-08-11
POLITICAL GOSSIP PUTS SEVERAL IN GOVERNORS RACE Jelks Boom Seems to Be Gaining7Sources of
 Conner Strength POSSIBILITY FOR
 MORE AGITATION Rumor Says Effort May Be Made to Submit Question of Statewide Prohibition to the Voters
 for Settlement
By HUGH W. ROBERTS

 William D. Jelks
 While in Birmingham, 1t Is generally believed at the present time that MT. Jelks will not enter the fight for the highest honor in the gift of the people of the state. 1t becomes more and more apparent that his friends. anxious for a, quiet and nusiness-like administra- ton, will employ every art of persua- sion in an effort to obtain his consent to announcement of his candidacy.
 An interesting bit of gossip emanat- though promi miscuous sources was to the effect that the prohibitionists are pre- pairing to give ex-Gov. B. B. Conner their united support in his campaign for the gubernatorial nomination, and that following his election. referen- dunn, the issue of which is to be state wide prohibition, will be submitted to the people.
 On account of the fact that the next state campaign is an event of the dis tant future. none of the several gentle men discussed as probable candidates  the republicans or progressives or whatever other name the opposition might sail under, are willing at the present time to answer faye" or nay"
 Governor Conner smiles and shakes his head. Governor Jelks has not in any fashion expressed or declined to express himself. Apparently, he has not considered the proposition.
 In the meanwhile. however. tho peo- pie arc thinking seriously and they. at least, are doing considerable talking and considerably more thinking. There is apparently a vast difference of opin- ion as to whether or not the voters should center their affections on a can. didate with an issue--whether that Issue be statewide prohibition or con- trol of the common carriers of the state--or on a candidate representing the business interest of the state which Is tired to distraction of constant agi- tation and the necessarily resulting treasury deficit.
 Should there be an issue, and that issue control of railroads. the general admis- sion is that Governor Conner could secure the nominatio for himself, though not necessarily for any other candidate on whom he might put his hand of approval. one of the reasons for this Is the fact that Governor Conner would draw the bulk of the prohibition strength from Walter D. Seed. whereas he could not throw that strength to another individual
 But should the fight be made in the interest of quietude and good business and long prosperity, 1t Is probable that the people would turn to J. Lee long of Butler, William D. Jeks of Jefferson. Judge A. o. Yane of Jefferson or one of the several other distinguished lead CTS who in this regard have been men toned.
 Walter D. Seed is considered candi- date who will remain In the field to the end Tn the last campaign he withdrew in favor of Col. Hugh s. D. Mallory, the other prohibition candidate. and in view of the fact that the statesman of Selma made no better headway against Cover nor O'Neal than MT. Seed might have made, 1t Is taken for granted that the citizen of Tuscaloosa for the last time has performed the act of self-immola- ton.
 b Despite the political magnanimity Of MT. Seed, 1t is generally believed that the bulk of the prohibition strength would
 
 the field This would be the result of the prohibitionists' belief that Conner would stand better chance of victory than Seed And the prohibitionists, 1t is very evident are aching for another ride in the saddle.
 It is the gossip that with, Conner as governor, the anti-saloon faction will sub init to the people of the state the ques- tion of statewide prohibition, this with the argument that statewide prohibition's overthrow in the last legislature was due to the prejudice aroused as a result of the claim that steam roller" was used in It's creation.
 On account of the fact. however. that 1t has been demonstrated beyond all doubt that saloons at the present time are operated in the several cities of the state under conditions as excellent as could possibly be obtained, 1t is the con sensus of opinion that in such an election as s'contemplated, the saloon sma ashers" would encounter defeat
 Because that belief obtains among certain prohibition leaders it is un- derstood that in the light of calm de- liberation they will determine to run a bill through the legislature rather than tampering with the uncertainty of popular election.
 
 In reference to the special session of the legislature which Governor ONeal deems necessary and which it is said, he desires to call in January, the i'm pression is general that the lawmak CTS, in case of their convocation, would proceed to do many things not con tained In the speculative calendar of the present hour.
 In other words. there seems to be ground for the belief that the law makers would not confine their delib- eration to the subjects which will be mentioned in the call of the chief ex- ecutive. This action could be taken by two-thirds vote of the members of both houses.
 Therefore, the conclusion has been reached that the legislators would re- main in session for an indefinite pe- riod. and that they would proceed to treat the revenue bill, to act in ref erence to appropriations already made, and to cut down operating expenses in manner probably undreamed at the present moment.
 There is considerable interest in Ala bama in the national campaign Of course there is no question but that Governor Wilson will sweep the state with the possible loss of not more than Q single county. And. of course, It IS