The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-05-01
VOTERS BEGINNING !. ID MARK BALLOTS AS FUTURE GUIDES With 150 Candidates They Find It Hard to Keep
 Track of All SOMETHING ABOUT THE VARIOUS RACES Circuit Judgeships Are of Great In- terest, But Oother Races Have
 Been Growing Rather
 Personal
By LEON c. BRADLEY

The marking of ballots in the county campaign has already begun. With near 1y 150 candidates in the field, most of whom are personally unknown to the ma iorty of the voters, the guide tickets and the comparison of ballots is being re- sorted to by many of the electors While the voters have not become excited over the race in the past, with only 10 days before the primary, they are turning their attention to selecting the candi- dates who are to receive their indorse- ments.
 With about 90 more or less active can didates for the position of circuit judge in Jefferson county, and only three of the 10 incumbents without opposition, the contests for these places have added much to the interest in the county fights. Judge w. E. Fort of the second division, Judge C. B. Smith of the sixth division and Judge H. A. Sharpe of the tenth di- vision are the only present occupants of the bench who are unopposed.
 For probate judge, James P. Stiles is opposed for reelection by J. T. McAl- lister. MT. McAllister has not made an active campaign and it is not thought that he will poll a very heavy vote.
 TEN JUDGESHIPS
 For the 10 places as circuit judges, the contests in the third and the fourth di visions have overshadowed the others. Judge H. P. Heflin, who is serving his first term, is opposed in the third di- vision by A. L. Arnold. D. J. Davis and R. l.. Williams. While MT. Davis has made a very hard fight against Judge Heflin, friends of the present occupant contend that he will be reelected. MT. Arnold and MT. Williams have not been so vigorous in their fight against Judge Heflin as has MT. Davis
 The race for judge of the fourth di- vision, however. has overshadowed all the judicial contests, and has probably attracted more interest than any con- test in the county with the exception of the board of revenue. Capt. Romaine Boyd, whose record as city attorney has been very highly commended, is opposing Judge E. c. Crow, as are also H. c. Will knson and Palmer P. Daugette. Soon after the announcement of Captain Boyd the issues in this consest seemed to be closely drawn between Judge Grove and himself, and later developments have not served to change this situation.
 Due to certain decisions made by Judge Crowe and to the fact that he has been reversed by the supreme court in more than half his cases, strong opposition has developed to his reelection. Captain Boyd and his friends have been waging a very active fight, and his campaign has taken a considerable spurt recently This situation has tended to still further crys- tallize the opposition to Judge Grove and it now seems that it will largely center it's support in favor of Captain Boyd.
 irA the selection of the members of the cir cult bench, the voters of the county have refused to get excited and the booklet published by Captain Boyd entitled Pub lie Service.' in which the records of the various contestants was set forth, has been closely read. and has had a marked influence on the contest.
 FOR CHANCERY DIVISION
 For judge of the first or chancery di- vision of the court, Judge A. H. Ben ners is opposed by R. B. Kelly. J. B. Aird and Hugh A. Locke. Judge Benners and his friends are pointing to the fact that his division, which handles all equity cases, is probably the most im- portant of the circuit and they urge his legal knowledge and experience on this bench as reasons for re-electing him. Judge R. B. Kelly has conducted an ac- tive fight for this place, as have J. B. Aird and Hugh Locke.
 For judge of the fifth (Bessemer) di- vision, Judge J. c. B. Gwin, the incum- bent, is opposed by William Jackson. Both men have been extremely active in their races.
 Judge John c. Pugh has opposition from G. M. Edmonds and J. M. Russell Judge Pugh has been active in his own behalf and his friends have been at work dur ing the time he was engaged in court No issues have been injecetd into this race
 The race for the eighth position is unique in that Judge Charles w. Fer guson is opposed by six candidates While most of them have been more or less active. it is hardly considered prob able that with the opposition divided among six men. Judge Ferguson will be displaced.
 In the ninth division Judge John H. Miller is seeking reelection and has strong support all over the county. Judge Miller has been assured by his friends that he would poll a majority of the votes, but he has continued his activi- ties K. D. McArthur is his only oppo- nent.
 For tax assessor D. B. McLendon is unopposed for reelection.
 TAX COLLECTORS RACE
 James F. Hawkins and F. B. Bowers