The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-22
Conner and Henderson Will
Probably Make Guber-
Material ''Run-Off"
CRAIG WITHDRAWAL
WAS NEW FEATURE
Candidates in Ninth District Active.
Indications Point to Heaviest
Vote Ever Polled in
the State
BY HUGH w. ROBERTS

Between April and May II, the people
of Alabama will pass through an exciting
political period.
There will be as much of the sensational
as there was in the senatorial campaign
before it became generally known that
Oscar w. Underwood was winner
For, according to all present indica-
tions, B. b. Conner and Charles Hender-
son will be in death struggle for the
office of governor. Then will be the
contest between the Conner strength" and
the "antl-Comer strength" with neither
under handicap
The management of the Henderson cam
paign declares that its chieftain will re-
celVe a plurality In the first primary.
The management of the Conner cam
paisn contends that its chieftain will re-
ceive majority in the first primary.
The people, however, accustomed TO
claims, have reached the conclusion. first
that Mr.. Conner will receive a plurality
IN the first primary, and, secondly that
Mr.. Henderson will be the runner-up.
AS TO the outcome of the second cam
paign speculation is too rife and parti-
'e'iASiiiP toO httH lOF an outsider to reach
conclusion. That the struggle of more
than month will be sensational. is fore
ordained.
Retirement of Craig
from news standpoint, the fea
tufe IN politics of the week Just closed
was the spectacular entry and sudden
retirement of Congressman William
I}. Craig of the Fourth.
Mir. Craig, against his wishes en-
tered the
sisted that it was his duty to do so.
When he found that Mr.. Blackmon had
certain strength, himself, and that the
hsht would be a stiff one he prob
ably decided that the race was not
worth the candle. His retirement
leaves the field open to Mr.. Blackmon
ana 1t is now considered certain that he
Will have no opposition.
In the Eighth, the struggle OF four
candidates for the seat to be vacated
by Congressman Richardson was dis
tui bed when j. II. Ballentine, one of
the candidates, fell victim of appen-
dicitis. This attack caused him to can
Gel his speaking engagements. If it
proves to be severe attack, it may
result in his retirement The other
candidates are Judge r. b. Almon Of
Florence. w. w. Callahan of Decatur
ana 6. L. Watts, private secretary to
Congressman Richardson.
Ninth Districts Race
In the Ninth district. where four
] candidates are anxious to acquire the
seat in the lower house to be vacated
| Nhen Mr.. Underwood goes to the Senate,
! interest is at fever heat Nathan l..
| Miller, considered by many the lead =
| ing candidate, injected the ginger 10
| days ago when in touring Blount
county he handled his three opponents
without gloves. Mr.. Miller spent last
week in the southern end of the dis
| trict, in the counties of Bibb and Perry
He Is very optimistic in regard to the
final result. and says that he has re-
ceived such encouragement that he is
hopeful of obtaining a majority in the
| first primary.
| Jere c. King. another of the candidates.
visited Bibb and Perry last week. and
| George w. Darden of Biount, another en-
try, will visit these counties this week.
| Last week he worked in Jefferson, and
from his statement, with certain success.
| George Huddleston, the other candidate,
| was busy in Jefferson.
| There is considerable interest through
out the state in the race in the Ninth.
Everybody seems anxious to know who
will be chosen to succeed Mr.. Under
/ wood, ranking member of the lower
| house. and who has become, as a result
of his faithfulness to duty and great
! ability, a character of international prom
| nence.
Record Breaking Vote
The state will hear much oratory dur
| ing the ensuing week. Mr. Hobson is
| continuing his caBraign The five candi-
! dates for governor will fill engagements
| throughout the state Thomas E. Kilby,
| lieutenant governor will begin a tour to-
morrow and will visit every county of
| Alabama Candidates for minor offices
are forever on the go. and few of them
are delivering formal addresses.
| The situation is doubly interesting ev-
! erywhere. because everywhere there is
more politics than ever before. Every
| county has its campaign and practically
| every district. As result of the interest,
| it Is certain that the total vote polled
will be greatly in excess of the vote
! polled in any preceding campaign.
1t would cause no surprise We're the
| total vote to approximate 135 900.
|