The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-26
Threats Made of Going Into Political Episodes of
 the Past
RICE'S FRIENDS ARE
 VERY INDIGNANT
Latest Charge Recalls Harwood- Col Her Campaign, Which Was Big Sensation in County at the
 Time It Occurred
DS HIGH ". ROBERTS

Tuscaloosa, May 25.-(Special. 1.-The county of Tuscaloosa is in the thoes of a sensation tonight.
 | It is whispered that as a result of the arrest of James Rice democratic nomi- nee for solicitor, there Will follow gen eral investigation of political conditions, there will be disclosures which will re- suit in special session of the grand jury is problematical. Friends of Rice are considerably wrought up. and it is known that affidavits have been secured which tend to prove that others who were candidates endeavored by the use of money to buy the services of influential people who were supporters of opposing candidates.
 Mr. Rice on April 6 defeated E. l.. Clarkson, who first entered the political arena as a lieutenant of Capt R. P. Hohson The race for che office of coun- ty solicitor was strenuous and the fin- ish close and exciting Considerable bit- terness was engendered. When the dust of conflict had disappeared, however, it was generally thought all bitterness had also disappeared. And then like the proverbial thunderbolt from clear sky, came the indictment and the arrest of Rice. That that action was the result of suggestion of the political enemies of the victorious candidate, is openly stated by friends of the accused.
 Cannot Employ Workers at Polls
 The legislature in ,- rast session de- clared it to be crime for candidate to employ anyone to work in his interest at the polls. The charge against Rice is that he paid an individual-Coleman by name--a sum of money, $10, to do service for him on thv day of the elec- ton. Mir. Rice declines to make for nal statement. His friends, however, aver that Mir. Coleman accepted a fee with the distinct understanding that his labor was to end at midnight, April 5. If this contention is true it is claimed, Mir Rice has violated no law
 The friends of MT. Rice contend that in the code of 1907 is a provision which makes 1t felony for a candidate to en- deavor by money offered to secure the aid of individuals wh~ were not known to favor such candidate They then dis play an affidavit of citizen of the coun- ty, generally admitted to be reputable in which it is sworn that a candidate other than Mir. Rice offered him the sum of $S to exert efforts in his behalf.
 The friends of the solicitors be declare that the charge against the accused will amount to nothing. MT. Rice states that he Is willing that the trial be held as soon as court officials will. It is gen erally anticipated that following the trial If not before-charges will be made which will tend to involve others who have played a role in local politics
 Harwood- Collier Campaign
 The charge against Rice has caused as great sensation as was produced some years ago when in t~e Harwood-C Collier campaign for the judgeshfp of the circuit, the Northport box disappeared
 That race was very close. 1t is gen. erally understood that the Northport box gave a majority for Harwood It was openly charged that first of all it disappeared, and then later, that it's con- tents had been tempered with. Had the box been allowed to remain as it was when discovered and the ballots counted or had It been thrown out entirely, it is claimed that Collier would have won The executive committee ordered a sec ond election. and Harwood won.
 So aroused are the people here tonight that there is talk of going back for the purpose of Investigation. It is intimated that tricks of other campaigns should be looked into, and that reports that too much money was used by several candi- dates in recent primaries. be investi- gated
 Commission Race in September
 Despite this situation. however. and despite the fact that the next election In which Tuscaloosa people will play a