The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-11-06
STATE CAMPAIGN GRADUALLY GETTING IN FULL SWING Politicians Feel Time Has Come When Voters Want
 to Know Candidates
PURIFOY MAY MAKE
 RACE FOR GOVERNOR
Many People, However, Think Entry List Is ClOsed-Martin's Aesigna- List Is Closed-Martin's Resigna-
 Fight for His Office
By FRED H. GoRMLEY

Montgomery, November 5-(Specal.) Alabama politicians have become close students of psychology during the past few days in an effort to determine whether or not the people believe the tina has come for the opening of the cam paign and for the dec,ar ations of those in the August primaries. Several have concluded that lhe time has come and have made their formal announcements.
 During the week II. F. Lee, secretary of the state board of equalization, entered the race for state auditor and George w. Ellis, chief clerk of the state treasury, let 1t be known that he will be candi- date for state treasurer. Othe announce ments may be expected during the next few days
 PURIFOY UNDECIDED
 Judge John Purifoy. secretary of state, who has the record of never having been defeated for pubic office, is giving seri- ous consideration 10 the campaign for governor, and it is pronnble that he will make a decision during the next few days. For several months he has been sending out cards carrying his photo- graph between American and Confederate flags. Under his photograph has appeared the statement, the next governor or Alabama
 If no issues were made and the fight were between men, Judge Purifoy prob- ably would be hard to beat even if he made no general campaign, as he is Confederate soldier and Confederate sol diers and sons of soldiers have always attempted to honor those who fought in the war But as issues and not men make governors, the puollc will await his formal announcement and the publication of his platform before tkey attempt to acalyze the importance of his candidacy.
 MARTINS MOVE SURPRISING
 The decision of William L. Martin, at torney general, to resign and enter the almy came as a surprise to many persons in public life. It had been reported for several days that he had been offered commission as major, but it had also been reported that the attorney general had decided not to accept 1t and not to enter the army until .he end of his term. Ills Cecision was not madt. unti. the at- ter part Of the week. Earilar in the week it became known that strong pressure had been. brought on him to enter the race for governor, and it is known that lie considered it in connection with the offer of commission. However, he reached the conclusion that his duty first was to the country and that, being young man, he should bear his part of the burden and await the coming of an- other opportunity for further public serv- 1ce in Alabama.
 II a guess were worth anything in poli- tics, rine-tenths of those interested in the campaign would say the entry list of candidates for governor had been closed. with tine possible exception of Judge Purifoy. Nothing has occurred during the rasl week to indicate that l.. B. Mus grove will enter despite the announce nent of some of his friends that he will be candidate. Nothing has occurred to indicate that any other than Thomas E. Ki.by, prohibitionist; John H. Wallace. ocal cpuonist, and William w. Brandon, nondeclarant, VII go before the people for this office.
 INTERESTING FIGHT
 The resignation of Attorney General Martin probably will mean sn interestins fight for attorney general between one of his friends and friend of the gover- nvr. Lawrence E. Brown, assistant att torncy general, will be candidate. It Governor Henderson appoints another man, he, no doubt, will enter the race for full term and this would mean Q fight. Mir. Browns name will be sub- rnitted to the governor for the vacant po- sition. He supported Governor Tender. son in the campaign of 1914 and has served as assistant attorney general a greater part of the term of MT. Martin.
 Judge A. l.. Rankin of Andalusa, who was judge of the Andalusia city court when it wat abolished in 1915, is expected to he an applicant His friends are close to Governor Henderson and he will ba considered closely when the attorney gen. erals resignation has been handed to ths governor. If he should he appointcd, he would ne candidate for full term