The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-29
Activity Due to Determina- ton of PrOhibitiOnists to
 Capture All Offices
SPECULATION AS
 TO PROSPECTING
If Done Will Mean More Problems. Many Have Eye On Next Senato- rial Contest-Fine Crop of
 Candidates
sy HpeH W. ROBERTS

The political situation In Alapama. due to recent primaries. is, on the sur face, unusually quiet. Nevertheless, be- meath the surface there is considerable activity This Is due to the determina- tion of the prohibitionists to capture every elective office-from the presi- dency down to constable--which is to be filled within the next four years.
 In this connection, 1t is interesting to note that report Is in circulation to the end that the ptohibitionists-- possibly following in the wake of Cap tain Hobson--have fallen out with Pres ident Wilson. Their plan is according to this report, to assume possession of the next national delegation and throw the votes of this state to a tentative can didate who Is hand in glove with them. MT. Bryan, in the event he openly op- poses the President, would possibly be favored. In an emergency Captain Hob- sons cause might be espoused.
 Of course. it Is yet too soon to specu- late regarding national politics. but de- velopments in this regard might be ex- pected within the next six months.
 If the legislature does the unex- peoted and redistricts the state, the congressional situation next year will be as interesting as it was in 1913. In the first place, John w. A5ercrombie, congressman at large, would be rem dered jobless and he would immediately endeavor to acquire another berth. Tn the second place, every congressman now in safe possession of a district would be endangered through the in troduction into his territory of a new Richmond. As a result turmoil would prevail for a few months in which destiny would proceed to shape the ends of a score of politicians.
 If the state Is not redistricted, Con gressman Abercrombie will be again unopposed for reelection as congress- man at large, 1t is believed. Of course. Hobson, If he really de- sires to return to Washington as a rep resentative, might make an effort to achieve this position, but the chances are that he will await the next sena- torial campaign. However, if the legis- lature makes no move towards reJis- tricting, the situation will be interest ing The prohibitionists, it is claimed. are determined to secure the scalps of Fred Almon of the Fourth, and of Hugh Dent of the Second They are grooming, 1t is claimed, Judge Cecil Browne, of Talladega- as an opponent for MT. Blackmon. and Senator William Hill, of Montgomery, as an opponent for MT. Dent. Neither Judge Browne nor Senator Hill is a prohibitionist, but the former when on the bench. enforced the prohibition laws, and the latter is as tolerant of the reform" wave as any other citizen of Montgomery who is not a part of that wave"
 .E:y :yerybody Is speculating regarding the next senatorial contest, several years of. but pregnant with possibili- ties, just the same.
 SSenator Banlshead. some time ago. de- clared that mo politician ever volun- tarily yielded place, and in other man. ner gave the reporter who interviewed him the impression that he would cer- tainly be candidate.
 Senator White. who. recently com pleted a short term In the senate, says that if conditions then are as they arc now, he will be a candidate. Ray Rush ton, of Montgomery. it is known, Is at the present time, tentative candidate. and it is believed that Congressman IIeflin will shy his castor into the ring.
 Should the state be redistricted, Con- gressman Abercrombie will make an ef- fort, it Is believed. to enter the senate. some say that ex-Governor O'Neal may take a hand in that scrimmage.
 At any rate, the battle will result in the making of one man--provided he Is not already made-and the unmalxing of several who have played part in Alabama politics.
 The prohibitionists and the suffra- gettes are dissatisfied. it is said, with Tom Hefiin. While everybody else be- fieves that he can hold his present po- sition as long as he desires, they con- tend that they can bring about his defeat.
 It is safe to predict, at any rate. that when Mr. Hefiin offers for reelection next year. which he will do. irrespective of his plans regarding the senate, he will have opposition.
 It is reported that George X. Sorrell. of Alexander City, member of the legis- lature, may become candidate from the Fifth.