The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-05-08
Little Bitterness Has Been Injected and But Few
 Issues Raised
VOTERS WILL ACT
 ON BASIS OF MERIT
Prohibition Issue Has Been Injected Into the Race for Delegates at Large and for National
 Committeeman
By l.. $. BETTY

By l.. $. BETTY
 Montgomery, May 7.-(Special.)-Th | political campaign about to close has | been the quietest in years. Little bit 1 terness has marred it's steady pro- gress. Some of the races, it is true, 1 have been livelier than others, and in some of the contests personalities have entered to mild degree, but on the whole the campaign has been a quiet one. Nothing, it may be said, has transpired of a really sensational na- ture.
 And now it is nearly over. The voters everywhere are ready to cast their bal lots and probably will breathe a sigh of relief when they have done so. How they vote in most cases will be large ly on the basis of merit. Qualification, experience and fitness of candidates will guide them while in the voting booth rather than any issues that may have been raised.
 As a matter of fact, hardly any is sues have been injected into the vari- ous races. This is particularly true of the campaigns for state offices and the contests for congressional offices. But the same cannot be said with ref enece to the races for national com mitteeman and for delegates to the na tional democratic convention.
 PROHIBITION ISSUE RAISED
 In these races the prohibition issue has been injected. Not statewide prohibition, of course, for that has been settled prob- ably for all tune in Alabama, but nation wide, or federal prohibition. And this is- sue has been raised in the races for na- tional committeeman and for delegates to the St. Louis convention. But even this. in the opinion of many voters of the state, is largely fictitious issue.
 This issue was first raised when news came from Washington that the Presi- Gent was desirouS that Alabama should send to the national convention a dele gation in thorough sympathy and accord with his policies and broad minded enough to reject all local and extraneous issues that might come before the St. Louis con vention. Nationwide prohibition was the one issue that the President feared might be raised.
 Ed D. Smith and Borden Burr then an- nounced for national committeeman, one believer in states rights and the other an advocate of federal prohibition. MT. Smiths candidacy was advocated in a letter sent out by Senator Underwood who, in very clear manner, pointed out the danger to the party that might arise should Alabama elect to sit in the coun- cils of the party man who espoused the cause of nationwide prohibition. He de- clared it would be casting "a firebrand into the temple of democracy"
 STATES RIGHTS INVOLVED
 It was then pointed out that the best interests of the party would be seriously imperiled if Alabama should send to the national convention a delegation of na- tion-wide prohibition faith This issue was raised particularly in the races for delegates at large, and has ever since l remained the only issue in that cam paign.
 For delegates at large there are seven candidates, all of whom are men of state- wide prominence. Three of them, A. IL 1 Carmichael, Horace Hood and Cabt | Frank s. White, adhere, it is claimed | to the doctrine of federal prohibition | The other four, Ray Rushton. Judge N. | D. Denson, R. K, Spragins and J. J. l Willett, disbelieye in that principle, man- taining that it is a question for the sev- eral states to settle
 The report that has been circulated to 1 the effect that the election of Messrs | Rushton and his associates would mean the return of saloons to Alabama is both | ridiculous and absurd. In fact, it is ex- ceedingly doubtful if any one of them would, had he the opportunity, vote for the return of the open saloon.
 If sent as delegates to the national con vention they will oppose the raising of 1 the liquor question in all of its aspects, opposing either prohibition or liquor plank in the democratic platform.
 ONLY LIVELY RACE
 As has been before pointed out, the | various other campaigns are free of I issues and they have all been quiet. The liveliest race has been for presi- dent of the public service commission, with three candidates seeking the nom nation. Undoubtedly the race is be- tween Sam F. Kennedy, president of the commission, and Henry P. Merritt. | Mir Carnley's strength. it is believed, is confined largely to his section of the state.
 The appellate court races have been absolutely free of all bitterness. Chief Justice John c. Anderson is opposed by James H. Mitchell and it is gen orally conceded that Judge Anderson will win the nomination by a large majority. Judges Somerville and Gard ner have no opposition
 Tn the court of appeals race. all six of the candidates have been active since the beginning of the campaign l Judge John Pelham. by reason of his long connection with the court, is re- garded as a certain winner. the opin- ion prevailing that he will lead the ticket. Judge Brown also is considered a winner. For the third place on the court there are various predictions. It will go to one of three candidates. Thomas E. Knight. Chancellor White side, or General Bric<en. Each of these has shown considerable strength. and any one of them may be successful.
 There seems to be little doubt ofl Commissioner Wallace's nomination to succeed himself as game and fish com missioner. notwithstanding his oppon- ents, Captain Goodwin and Mir Ward, have been active.
 l THREE MEN INuTREn