The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-11-06
SESSION
 SOMETHING NEW
 II NOW DEVELOPS
Week Has Passed Since State Lawmakers Adjourned and Not a Single Candidate
 Has Announced
By FRED II. GoRMLEY
Bureau. The .age-HeraId,
 22l-2 First National Bank Building

] meaning. had no information about 1 the extra session of the legislature which closed last Saturday and which did not create an issue or furnish candidate. although the general state primary Is less than one year in the distance. They are also convinced that this session was really some thing new under the sun.
 A week has passed since the law makers ended their second extra ses- sion since 1919. Not candidate has entered the race for an important of flee, and in so far as is known, that an issue has been raised for the cam paign. Political conditions are the same in Alabama now as they were l before the governor issued his cal which brought the legislature to l Montgomery October 4.
 Rumors Seem Unfounded
 Of course. there have been rumors 1 of candidates but close inquiry has | failed to develop anything on which l to base the rumors. One report dur ing the week was that another candi- date would enter the race for gover- nor, but no name was mentioned and 1 up to this time Judge William w | Brandon of Tuscaloosa appears to be the only one who will be in the race. | If Judge Brandon should become gov ernor by the unanimous vote of all people of Alabama he will have &C., complished an unusual thing in Ala bama politics, Until recently many ] persons believed a nomination for 1 governor by acclamation would be l impossible. Now many persons be- i lieve the nomination will be made in this way and the natural opponents of Judge Brandon, whether they be few or many one cannot say, are fearful that there is not another man in Alabama who will make the race.
 A situation like the present one does not seem to be within the mem 1 ory of men now active in Alabama politics. In the past campaigns, elec- | tions have been won and lost on one issue In 1907 railroad rates and regulations furnished the political is- sue. In 1910 prohibition was the chief i one. In 1915 prohibition also entered l into the fight. In 1918 ratification of the federal prohibition amendment was the guide. In 1922 it appears there will be no issues. Railroad rates and regulations cannot be an important issue because the final au- | thority is now held by the interstate commerce commission at Washington and what powers the state has re- tained are vested In the public service l commission, which Is supervising rates and regulations every day in the year.
 No Issue DiscernibIe
 Prohibition is settled policy. The | national amendment has been rati- 1 lied. The women have the ballot Nothing has arisen which would in- dicate subject on which there could be division within tine democratic party such as the divisions of the past. Of course, some persons have insisted upon changes in the tax laws, but developments of the extra session Indicated that no appreciable number of persons are back of the movement. Of course. all persons would like to have their taxes re- duced. It would suit many if they were not required to pay at all. But no disposition was shown by the masses during the extra session to seek system of taxing which would make contributions to the support of the state government voluntary in- stead of compulsory. Bills were in- | troduced which proposed the aboli- uon or the taxing machinery and the creation of the machinery which was l used In 1907. They did not receive serious consideration They were on. posed by friends of public education of public benevolences and of inc confederate veterans who were greatly In the majority in the senate ana house of representatives.
 With no issue created as the ad- ministration approaches the end Inf US term 1t would seem that the nevr governor can go into office without tes. All persons who realize that Alabama probably will have a gov ernor who was given the office with out serious contest are comment ing on the opportunities which can come to him and to those who will | work with him. They are wondering what the year 1923 will bring forth for Alabama
 | IL would seem that the influence of the gubernatorial campaign has | touched the other state races also. Attorney General Harwell G. Davis and Dr. John w. Abercrombie, state superintendent of education, probably Will not have serious opposition, if any. No other names have been men l toned in connection with these posi- I tions.
 No Names Mentioned.
 It is probable there will be several candidates for state auditor, secretary of state, commissioner of agriculture | and members of the public service | commission. No names have been mentioned for state auditor. George w. Ellis, former state treasurer, and now chief clerk of the treasury de- partment will be candidate for 1 state treasurer. He made a hard for ho ir, o nd rNa, his successful opponent, R. l.. Brad ley, needed chief clerk he requested Mir. Ellis to take the position. | The race for secretary of state will 1 be an interesting one. according to reports Walter r. Miller, secretary of the senate. informed his friends many months ago that he would be In the race. w. P. Fonville, former l state fire marshal, and now enroll ing clerk of the house. has also in- 1 formed his friends that he will be a candidate. A third person men, toned is Henry c. West of Birming- ham, who was in the race ins 1918.
 J. M. Moore. supervisor of the di- vision of foods. feeds and drugs for l the state department of agriculture, has already announced his candidacy ! for commissioner of agriculture No persons have been mentioned general 1 ly as candidates for associate mem bers of the public service commis- sion, though 1t Is quite probable s. r. t;aillard of Mobile and B. II. Coop CT of Birmingham will be candidates | for reelection.
 | It is not probable that the political campaign will be started until after the close of January. With the ex- ception of one small minority force all factions and alliances in Ala bama politics are in favor of the rat ification of the $25.000, 900 highway