The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-07-23
BIRMINGHAM MEN MENTIONED

was demonstrated by his race for lieuten- ant governor.
 BIRMINGHAM MEN MENTIONED
 Several Birmingham men have been mentioned more or less recently in con nection with the race for governor. w. D. Jelks, former governor, has been urged by many of his friends to make the race, and it Is said that quite a number of the local optionists have decided he is the man for them to get behind They de- clare that the fact that he left large surplus in the treasury when he retired as governor would prove very popular with the voters. So far as is known, Governor Jelks has given no encourage ment to the movement in his behalf, and the fact that he refused to stand for re- election as national committeeman and the further fact that he failed to heed the calls for him to run for governor two years ago, lend color to the idea that his candidacy is decidedly problematcal
 Forney Johnston of Birmingham, one of the best known lawyers in the state, and the manager of the successful campaigi of Oscar Underwood for the United States Senate is also being mentioned frequently. He has stated of several oc- casions that he has no personal political ambitions, but it is not known what his action would be should the field look sufficiently tempting.
 Sydney J. Bowie, former congressman from the Fourth district, and one of the recognized leaders in the legal profession of the state Is another local man who has been talked of. Friends of MT. Bowie however state that he will continue to devote his attention to law, and that he foreswore all political ambitions when he voluntarily retired from Congress.
 Edward D. Smith, who recently de- feated Borden Burr for democratic na- tional committeeman, has received con- siderable favorable mention over the state, but he has told his friends that he will not be candidate.
 It was considered probable before the last primary that the ultra prohibition faction, which was said to have con- trolled the last legislature would be represented in the race for governor by Borden Burr, but it is predicted now by well posted political observers that he will not make the fight.
 w. P. G. Harding, member of the fed eral reserve board, was talked of dur ing the spring in connection with the con- test but his declara tion on his recent trip to Birmingham that he was well pleased with his present position and had no intention of offering for governor has largely put a stop to the use of his name The fact that MT. Harding will hold his present position until 1922, having been appointed for an eight-year term, with the further chance of high political pre- ferment through his services on the re- serve board would seem to indicate that he will not soon enter the political arena in his native state.
 TUSCALOOSA HAS TWO
 Tuscaloosa has two possible candidates, Judge w. w. Brandon and former Lieut.. Gov. Walter D. Seed. MT Seed, who made one race for this office, and almost made another, is not expected to again offer, but he is always considered a pos sible candidate so far as the governor ship is concerned. The friends of Judge Brandon would not be at all surprised should he make the race Following his recent election as probate judge of Tus- caloosa county for a term of six years his Tuscaloosa friends announced that he would be in the race. Judge Brandon has not yet made any announcement, but it is known that he is giving the mat ter serious consideration. He made suc- cessful state campaign in 1910 when he was chosen state auditor.
 Should the ultra prohibitionists put out candidate with the view of making that the leading issue, 1t would create no surprise>should their choice fall on A. H Carmichael of Tuscumbia, speaker of the house of representatives in the last legis- lature. The fate of members of the legis- lature who offered for positions last May was not one to lend encouragement to| the candidacy of the speaker of the house. who would have to bear the onus Of the acts of that body, usually con sidered difficult task for a member of a retiring legislature However, it is known that MT. Carmichael is consider ing the question seriously.
 @s A strong effort is being made to induce Ray Rushton of Montgomery, one of the best known and most prominent men in the state to offer for governor. How ever, Mir. Rushton is known to have a strong ambition to represent his state in the United States Senate and many of his friends are authority for the state ment that he will enter no race other than that for the upper house of Con- gress.
 Bibb Graves, chairman of the state democratic committee. is looked upon as a possible candidate. MT Graves has been active in politics for many years and was the campaign manager for Gov erEor Conner two years ago. He was in- fluential in shaping the legislative plans of the majority faction of the recent leg islature. He has not made known his plans in regard to the gubernatorial race yet.
 That John H. Wallace will be can didate on the local option ticket seems highly probable at this time. It has been learned that MT. Wallace. who was a candidate for this office for sometime prior to the last primary, will present a platform dealing with the liquor question which will be different from any ever be- fore offered. He will make an aggressive race and has already received the hearty indor sement of many local optionists.
 In the race for lieutenant governor ic< nd ,rnh AAt rf