The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-08-28
By FRED IT. GORMLEY Montgomery Bureau. The AEe-Herald 22l-2 First National Bank BuLldlnG

Ebbt 1NattOildi oubouh&
 Montgomery, August 2T.-(Special) A magician's influence seems to have been thrown over the state political campaign since the passage of Tues day, August 9. On that day the dem ocratic primary which will result in the selection of candidates for gov ernor. lieutenant governor, state auditor, attorney general treasurer, secretary of state, commissioner of agriculture members of the public service commission and members Of the two branches of the legislature came within one year, which has al ways been regarded as legitimate limit within which to confine state campaign.
 For the week persons interested in the campaign have been talking. friends of prospective candidates have put forth their claims while some persons who Intend to enter the con- tests have sent forth their hopes 10 see what impression they make on the minds of others.
 But with all the talk and all the activity. 1t seems to persons who have watched campaigns of the past that something is lacking. There is little interest in the big campaign, that is, the race for governor. No issue has overshadowed all others There is an unforgettabie contrast between the opening of this cam paign and the opening of each cam paign since 1906
 Comer's CbIef Issue
 It is recalled that B. B. Conner. then president of the railroad commission in 1906 entered the race for governor with railroad rates and regulation as the chief issue. This issue was fore most throughout the campaign. Then in 1911 local option came first and it remained first until Emmet O'Neal had won the issue of regulated sa- looms where the voters desired them Prohibition was the chief issue again in 1910 when Charles Henderson was named governor In opposition to MT Conner, who ran as the prohibition candidate. But the prohibitionists elected the legislature and made Ala bama a prohibition state again. Then came the campaign of l91S when Gov ernor Thomas F. Kilby was elected on a platform of prohibition and business administration.
 Good old Days
 It may be seen that the good old days of important campaign issues are gone. Wild efforts are being made now to put forth supreme issue. but 1t is not recorded tha, there efforts will be successful. William w. Brandon. who lost the nomination in 1918 to Governor Kilby by only few hundred votes, is the only candidate at this time. He has | not announced, but he has been run ming since he was defeated the last time. It became known during the week that Judge Brandon has a county organization In practically every county in Alabama and that he | Is prepared to start his campaign al
 any time. It is proposed to have state headquarters at Birmingham | with South Alabama headquarters a, Montgomery. There has been gossir that Judge James J. Mayfield. cods commissioner of Alabama, will be Judge Brandon's state manager and that Judge Malcolm s. Carmichael oi Tuscumbia, will be South Alabama | manager. However, this gossip has not been verified by any officia' | statement from Judge Brandon ol l friends.
 Steiner and Graves
 Various reports of candidates for governor have gone over the state | during the past few weeks, the most persistent connecting Gen. R. E Steiner and Col. Blob Graves ot Montgomery. for the campaign, but l their friends have discussed their names in connection with the race
 Senator Charles s. Mcdowell, oi Barbour, is the only candidate for lieutenant governor. Senator Mo- Dowell has already qualified, has filed his declaration with the secre- tary of state in compliance with the corrupt practice act and has carried his campaign into many counties. He
 was one of the virile members of the state senate at the regular session ir 1919 and the special session In 1920