The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1914-01-08

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plan. because they felt SSonfident that
Mr.. Conner has in reserve a plurality OF
the votes of the state. There was little
unadulterated patriotism displayed by the
Conner following. The opposition contend
ed fervently and religiously for a ma
1ority plan because they feared that al
ready Conner had plurality and because
they hoped he might not be able to as
semble majority. There was little pa
triotism in their efforts
Struggle for Spells
In the final analysis the struggle was
one for spoils Each faction contendee
that it was actuated by It's love for the
people and its love for the party b It
the Conner men were working for Conner.
and the Henderson men were working fer
Henderson. And the same is true of the
kolb men, the Seed men and the men OF
John H. Wallace.
The anti-Comer strength prevailed by
majority of 90 to 10. There is but
little question in the minds of many men
but that the influence of The governor
proved stronger than the influence of
candidates for minor offices. The gov
ernor made no secret of attempts-which
proved successful-to prevent a plurality
primary, and had he desired that those
1ttSiiPts DC CpHtcdltd. tile exercises IN
rooms 5l4 and 515 of the Exchange hotel
would nevertheless have leaked into the
lug of the general public.
Chairman Goodwin has named a COM
mittee of seven which will have general
supervision of the two primary elections
This committee will meet In the near fu
ture. The first business will be the set
ting of a date beyond which no candi-
date may qualify for the struggle The
second business will be che gentle task
of assessing each candidate for each Of
nee a sum to be considered his pro rata
share of the expenses to be incurred in
holding not only the first primary, but
the second. For it will happen that on
account of the peculiar exigencies of the
situation all candidates, even those who
have no ghost OF a chance for final vic
tory, will be assessed in order that the
burden might not be overwhelming for
those who will prove themselves strorg
enough to enter the final struggle for
the seats they crave In this regard
the regrettable feature is that but for
the action of the committee in arranp-
ing for a double primary, those who are
running for exercise and without hope
of ultimate success, would have escaped
the onerous burden of providing for tilt
in which they will not have opportunity
to splinter a lance.
General Unamity
Unanimously the committee acted in
regard to other matters. There was gen.
eral satisfaction in that the election Of
Judges of higher courts was put in the
hands of the people, There was no dis
agreement in reference to the date fxe.,
for holding the first primary. And there
was a sensation of inexpressibe elation
In that the bars were raised so high that
no republican. be he a man of homer,
will have sufficient mental and physical
energy to leap across
The committee was in order at II
o clock. The roll call developed but few
apsentees. The resignation of John G.
Pugh of Birmingham was accepted and
James f. Hawkins of Birmingham was
chosen to fill the vacancy. Len f. Greer
VINO on account of his candidacy for Of
fee had announced his intention of re-
signing, was not present. Gardner Greene
declared from the floor that despite his
candidacy for office, he would continue
to serve, and that in an informal confer
ence with his opponents they had ex-
~ essed approval of his plan. Thereupou
the deck was cleared for action
Mr.. Dixon of Talladega selected to put
the ball In play. He introduced reso-
luton containing the general features
which finally prevailed, and the ''bone of
contention provision ior plurality
election which was finally defeated. The
story of the committee meeting does not
concern any clause in tho Kelly resolution
save that which dealt with the manner
OF conducting the election. On that is
sue, however, there was instantly pre-
eipitated a grilling struggle in which
strong men ofttime resorted to tears IN