The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-29
Sheriff Palmer Mentioned as
 Possible Dark Horse
CLABAUGH CONTEST
Tuscaloosa Just Now Is Keenly Inter- ested in Race for Sheriff Be- tween R. w. Watts and
 Alex Christian
Fly HUGH W. ROBERTS

l TUSCALOOSA Apfll zo.---t SpeCldl J-- HIS
 city was surprised this morning when
 the report was circulated that Sheriff William Palmer may be the dark horse" winner in the spirited contest
 now under way, the prize of which will be the United States marshalship
 for the Northern district of Alabama. As far as known Sheriff Palmer has lnot applied for the position. But if
 neither Tom L. Long, Horace Gibson
 nor Inzer Wyatt proves able to land, 1t
 is pointed out that Senator Bankhead's
 friendship for Sheriff Palmer may make
 him a strong candidate.
 | In the recent congressional campaign 1 in this district Sheriff Palmer sup
 ported William B. Bankhead of Jasper
 over his fellow townsman, William B.
 Oliver. This action of Sheriff Palmer
 caused surprise inasmuch as during his
 race against an independent for the of
 fee of sheriff MT. Oliver contributed to | his campaign and took the stump in his
 behalf.
 | The rather complex situation in re-
 gard to the marshalship is proving
 highly diverting to residents of the
 Sixth district, and it is rumored that
 in the near future the diversion may
 become more general and more pro-
 nounced.
 | There is still underground opposition
 to Sam Clabaughs confirmation as local
 postmaster. The idea prevails, how
 ever, that the young editor, who has
 already been appointed by the Pres | ident will be successful.
 Some days prior to Claoaugh's ap
 pointment by the President. Congress-
 man Hobson wired one of his lieuten | ants here notifying him of what was | then a future occurrence, and express | ing conviction that Clabaughs appoint ment would be confirmed unless viz orous protests were hurriedly filed. And | it is said that the congressman's secre- | tary wired local politician of more or less astuteness and beneficient influence
 to the same effect. Nevertheless, it is generally believed that the desire of
 the President that Clabaugh, as the ap-
 pointee of pr. John w. Abercrombie,
 congressman at large. be confirmed,
 will be granted by the Senate. In this connection, however, there is an interesting point which up to the present time has not been discussed. As is remembered when pr. Abercrom
 bic announced for the Senate year
 
 | form one of the blanks of which pro-
 vded for popular election of post
 masters. He afterwards retired from
 the race and, of course, withdrew his platform Nevertheless this fact Is re-
 membered and discussed today when it
 is recalled that Congressman Hobson
 offered to submit the Clabaugh case to
 a popular referendum.
 l
 | Locally, Tuscaloosa is interested in | its vigorous race for sheriff. The can
 didates are R. W. Watts and Alex Christian. In the primary of April
 MT. Watts failed to secure a majority, and Mr. Christian ran second. The l two are now contending for the job, and the issue will be settled perm
 anently May II.
 The indications are that MT. Watts will be elected although the majority
 may be small MT. Christian was a can ddate during the last campaign | against the present sheriff. He ran in ldependently of any party. It is said
 that in that campaign he made certain enemies of local democrats who were
 moved actively to take up the cudgel of democracy in the interest of MT. | Palmer It is said that until today
 those democrats remember the previous campaign and that they will not sup
 port Mir Christian. These things pre-
 sage the success of MT. Watts. l The office or SnerlII or luSCdioosd county grows more valuable every year I for the county every year grows | larger and more prosperous. For the plum, therefore, political contests are | generally warm and vigorous. | Friends of B. B. Conner contend that he will carry Tuscaloosa county. l Friends of Charles Henderson contend | that the opposite is true. As matter | of fact, unless a landslide occurs. the result will in all probability be close. Prima facie investigation indicates that Tuscaloosa, the city. will give Henderson a majority, and that the rural beats will return majority Tor | Conner.
 Last Saturday MT. Conner spoke in Tuscaloosa He was assisted by c. F. Beddow of Birmingham He was greet 1 ed by a large audience and consider able enthusiasm was shown. Next Sat lurday Charles Henderson will speak in Tuscaloosa He will be assisted by w. Fl. Sanford, the well known Montgom- Iery attorney. His followers are pre- pairing with a great deal of enthusiasm to welcome their leader.
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