The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1917-09-17
State Campaign viii Be
Well Under Way By
January |
LONG FIGHT IN SIGHT
PRESENT INDICATION
Birmingham Election Expected to
Show Just How Far IT. A."
Issue viii Enter Into the
Governors Race
By FREp H. GoRMLEY

If the stories may be believed, Alabama 5
political flivver will be running well on
four cylinders by January /, Before
that date William w. Brandon of Tus-
caloosa and the state-at-large will have
formally announced his candidacy and
started his campaign for governor,
Thomas E. Kilby of Admission will have
entered fully into the fight and John a..
Wallace, Jr. OF Montgomery, will have
started a speaking campaign which VIII
be continued with short Interruptions
until the second Tuesday in August,
when the issues will be submitted to the
democratic voters of Alabama.
Each candidate and prospective candi-
date has indicated that he hopes the
Campaign will not be started until next
spring, but, nevertheless, it is starting
now, and the man who intends to be in
the thick of the fight must start his
maneuvers right away.
Signs during the past month have
pointed to the starting of the campaign
before many weeks. Just as B. B. Co
ners speech in Etowah county started
the fight of 1914 long before it had been
expected Thomas E. Kilby's address to
the Confederate veterans at Jacksonville
early in August has renewed interest IN
politics of the 1918 variety
NEW ISSUE IN STATE
No one can know how wide is the
effect of Mr.. Kilby's declaration against
the spear of Romanism, but there is
every indication that an effort will be
made to make the issue of paramount
importance. Mr.. Kilby's opponents con-
tend that he is backed In his declara-
ton by Thomas e. Watson of Georgia
and Gov Sidney Cats of Florida.
Whether this be true or not, Mr.. Kilby
will find ready support from large
portion of the anti-Catholic voters Of
Alabama This statement is supported
by the fight in Birmingham today. one
great issue apparently being employment
of members of the Catholic church in
the municipal government The election
in Birmingham next month, it is felt
here, will determine how strong the anti.
Catholic party or THE Americans" as
they call themselves, are in Birmingham.
WATCHING BIRMINGHAM
This issue was raised in Jefferson
county several months ago. 1t is a mat
ter of common knowledge that one
strong point against the man who be-
came health officer last year and whose
work was hampered for sometime by
litigation was that he was Catholic.
The Birmingham election will be cri-
terion for the state.
This does not mean that Birmingham
will point the way for the state, but
only that the election will show whether
or not the issue will be an important
one in the state campaign.
Mr.. Brandon is expected to make his
formal announcement within 30 days. He
is already a candidate and Is making
addresses throughout the state, mainly
at Woodmen celebrations and dwellings
of monuments.
Mr.. Wallace hopes the campaign will
not be opened until spring. but is ready
to begin his speech-making campaign at
any time.
ATTORNEY GENERAL RACE
Lawrence E. Brown of Scottsboro spe-
cial assistant attorney general, Is looked
upon as a probable candidate for attor-
ney general as the successor of William
L. Martin. He is well known throughout
the state and in addition to the support
OF the Martin faction will obtain votes
from those who opposed Mr.. Martin in
the last campaign.
Fitzhugh Lee, secretary OF the state
board of equalization and former chief
clerk of the state auditors department,
probably will be candidate for auditor
His opponent or one of them, will be
r. f. Morris of Birmingham. Mr.. Morris
announced soon after the last election
and is making an active canvass of the
state.
Two persons are tentative candidate:
for secretary of state, John Moffat, re
cording secretary to Governor Hender
son, and william P. Fonville. state fir'
marshal. They have not filed their dec
larations, but will do so at the propel
time William P. Cobb of Tuskegee Il
also looked upon as candidate for thii
A<kica.
ANOTHER BIG FIGHT
A big contest is expected for positions
on the public service commission. TIL,
story goes the rounds that friends o
Samuel P. Kennedy, president of tn,
commission and of Governor Henderson
will attempt to defeat S. P. Gailard o
Mobile for reelection as associate com
missioner, contending that he has no
stood with the majority in many mat
ters which were for the best Interest,"
Of the state. These matters have no
been enumerated. An effort Is beins
made to get John Gamble of Troy t,
enter the race against Mr.. Gaillard Mr.
Gamble informed friends a few day
ago that he did not seek any politica
office. He is now member of the dis
trict exemption board for the middl
district.
Spright Dowell, who will become stat
superintendent of education October
as the successor of William r. Feagin
resigned, will be candidate to success
himself for full term. S. r. Butte
of Huntsville Is the only person men
toned as a candidate In opposition.
James A. Wade. state commissioner o
agriculture. will be candidate for stat
treasurer while M. c. Allgood. stat
auditor, Is expected to enter the rae
for commissioners of agriculture
Thomas G. Mcclellan and A. d. Sayr
will be candidates to succeed themselve
as associate justices of the suprem
court Their terms will expire in Janr
airy. 1919 Insofar as Is known, they hay
no opposition.
William Fl Sanford viii ask for tn
unexpired term of John Pelham as
member of the court Of appeals. He wa
appointed by Governor Henderson th
& year. but the law requires the filling {
judicial position at the next election
II reelected he will serve the full sly
year term.