The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-14
DISTRICT FIGHTS
STILL SUBJECT OF
GENERAL INTEREST
Richardson's Announcement
CompIicates Situation in
the Eighth-Anxiety
in Third and Ninth

| Although in view of the possibility of
many present congressman entering the
race for the vacancy in the Senate caused
by the death of the late Senator Joseph
more or less in the eye of the public. the
Eighth as a result of recent develop
ments, is requiring at the present moment,
the greatest share of attention.
William Richardson, Eighth district con-
eressman, has done the unexpected and
announced for another term Previous to
that announcement, 1t was considered GER
tain that Judge e. b. Almon, speaker of
the Alabama house. would be candidate
and the guess was that he would have
little If any opposition. Inasmuch as Col
onel Richardson has again entered the
and at the moment Of entry declared
that he would retire at the conclusion of
his next term, the enthralling question of
the present is whether or not Judge AL
mon will run.
There is general agreement that should
Judge Almon oppose Colonel Richardson,
he would be strong enough to make the
issue one of great uncertainty. Despite
this fact, however, Judge Almons Bir-
mingham friends are predicting that he
will not run.
Will Almon Agree?
They point out that IL Judge Almon
agrees to Colonel Richardson's request
of the people that he be permitted to
serve another term that at the lconclu-
sion of that term no opposition will be
presented against Judge Almon, that Colo
mel Richardson's friends will have become
his friends, and that he will have builded
up a political barricade which would keep
him in Congress for the remainder of
his days.
In this regard, the local friends of Judge
Almon contend that by unopposing Colo
mel Richardson he would have everything
to win, whereas by opposing, he might
lose. At any rate, the Eighth district is
again in the imelght. Colonel Richard
son announced his candidacy last week.
Nothing up to the present moment has
come from Judge Almon. 1t is antic-
pated, however. that he will consult with
his friends this week and will be in posi-
ton to say something in regard to his
pans III the near 1ulure.
Anxiety in Third
The probability that Henry d. Clayton
will not be seated by the Senate. and the
possibility that he will not oppose Oscar
w. Underwood in the primary next spring.
has served to restorS the feverish en-
bryonie candidates of the Third district
to a normal state.
Since the recent developments, as mat
ter of fact. they are very quiet, stand
| ing their ground, as it were, awaiting
whatever might happen. Should Mr.. Clay
| ton be seated or should he continue in
his present purpose of making the sena-
torial race in the spring, the candidates
for his congressional seat will be Judge
| A. A. Evans of Barbour. Byrd G. Farm
er of Houston, ]. a. Carnley of Coffee
| and Henry r. Steagall of Dale
The race would be between Judge Evans
| and MIR. Farmer, according to the gen.
! erl agreement of Third district politi-
| clans.
Ninth and Sixth
In the Ninth. where the probability OF
| vacancy is greater than iir the third
! due to the fact that il is deemed GER
| tain that Mr.. Underwood will become a
| candidate for the Senate. the present calm
! will be followed by the proverbial storm
as soon the tariff bill becomes "A law
| Al that time Mr.. Underwood will prob.
| ably announce for the Senate. Nathan l.
| Miller, q prominent lawyer of Birming-
ham, will probably announce for Con.
! eress. Col. Thomas Il. Huey of Besse
| mer will probably follow suit Border
| II. Burr is discussed as a possibility. ant
rumor still deals with the name of J
| Fritz Thompson Of Bibb.
| The race in the Sixth is destined tt
| become the most exciting in the stat
| it is believed There is very little diff.
| ference in the relative strength of William
| B. Banlthead of Jasper and w. b. Oliver
! of Tuscaloosa, the congressional candi
| dates. In the beginning it was though
that Oliver had cinch Later, Bank
heads strength became apparent and a
| the present time no one could predic
! with any accuracy what the result woult
| be were the election TO occur tomorrow.