The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-05-24
Judge Weakley 10 Oppose Oscar ". UnderlUood For
 United States Senator
Will Start Active Campaign in the Fall, States Author of State Prohibition Law. Pr0hi Leaders Not Con-
 suited, Says Candidate


 suited, Says Candidate
 Judge Samuel D. Weakley created a sensation in Bir- mingham political circles yes terday when he announced his determination to enter the race for United States senator to succeed Oscar w. Underwood neXt year.
 Immediately the news of his entry in the race was circulated it became the general topic of discussion among those who take an interest in matters politi- cal. The authorized statement was the first intmation that Judge Weakley even contemplated opposing Senator Underwood. His name had never been mentioned in that connection and the fact that he is an ardent prohibitionist and at least one leader in that cause has declared his intention of making the race and two or three others have been mentioned as probabilities, caused the wiseacres to put on their thinking caps
 WEAkLEY'S ANNOUNCEMENT
 Judge Wcakley has been active
 in the prohibition movement in
 Alabama for great many years
 and to him is due in large part the
 credit for the present drastic laws
 on that subject now in effect in
 Alabama. He Is the author of the
 prohibitfnn law of 1915 and the
 amendment adopted by the Iegisln-
 ture last winter, and the validity of
 which was upheld by the supreme
 court last Thursday.
 Not only did he draft the Alabama prohibition laws. but aided with his counsel in preparing the bills now in eff feet in Mississippi and Georgia.
 Judge Weakley's announcement of his entry in the race follows:
 ''ro the democrats of Alabama: hereby announce my candidacy for the democratic nomination to the office of United States senator, the nominee to be chosen at the democratic primary election in 1920, to fill the term sue ceeding that of the present incum bent. In making this announcement. I wish to add further at this time, that as is generally known, my agreement to serve Gov. T. E. Kilby as his legal advisor for the period between July s, 1919 and the close of the legislative session is out standing, and I will fill that engage ment. Other legal engagements will re- quire my attention between now and July s. and hence I will not be able to make a canvass or fully organize my campaign until after the adjournment of the legislature, likely to occur the latter part of September, 1919 although I may make addresses in the meantime not conflicting with professional en- agreements, as occasions may arise. "In view of the fact that the election is not at hand. it is very agreeable to me not to precipitate an active cam paign al this time, but as people are discussing the matter and are inquir- ing who will make the race to represent the views and policies I have stood for, advocated and shaped into law in this and other states, and the federal statute books I have deemed it timely to make my candidacy known at this time. and to say that I have decided upon it after mature deliberation, and will be in the fight until the end. A supplementary statement will follow shortly fOurS very truly
 SAMUEL D. WEAKLEY"
 NO CONSULTATION HELD
 Asked yesterday if he had consulted any of the prohibition leaders relative to his candidacy, he replied that he had not; that he had considered the matter thoroughly and when he made up his mind to make the race he decided to announce his determination at once
 eIn arriving the lmaf0v.
 make the race for senator I did
 not take into consideration the
 candidacy of any other man or men.
 am in the race on my own merits
 md upon my record, and whether
 one other man or several get in
 it or stny in it. I ann in to stay un-
 til the last ballot Is counted"
 Judge Weakley was chief justice of the supreme court of Alabama by ap- pointment of Governor Jelks in 1906, filling out an unexpired term.
 He came to Birmingham in 1887 from Florence and has practiced the pro- fession of law at the local bar ever since. He was active in the prohibit tion fight before the legislature in 1907, and in the proposed constitutional amendment in 1909.
 WEBB-K KENYON ACT
 When the Webb-Kenyon act was be- fore the supreme court of the United States Judge Weakley wrote a brief in support of it's validity, and his advice and counsel has been sought on other occasions when prohibition legislati was pending or being attacked in the courts.
 Judge Weakley holds a commission as special attorney general of Alabama and in that capacity is personal ad- visor to Governor Kilby.
 He represented the state in the rail- road litigation between Ala bama and the railroads which covered period of seven years. from 1907 to 1914
 PROBABLE CANDIDATES
 Borden Burr. Birmingham attorney a stanch prohibitionist. has been men tioned frequently in recent months as a probable candidate for the Senate. but he has never authorized a positive statement either one way or the other
 L. B. Musgrove of Jasper, chairman of the national committee that made the campaign for the ratification of the federal prohibition amendment, an- irno L