The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-07-09

held the advantage at tho beginning of the campaign still hold 1t insofar as developments would indicate. Lack of developments would be better expression as this campaign has been devoid of issues and sem sations.
 Efforts Fail
 This lack of issues Is looked upon by old politicians as supplying an unusual day in Alabama politics. From the beginning of the campaign efforts have been made to arouse the people on issues but these efforts have failed and now that less than one month Is between this date and the primary the general talk among those who have watched the cam paign Is that all selections Will pc made by the voters through personal friendship rather than through is- sues.
 The man who has the friends, per sons upon whom his personality has made an imprint, will be the man who will receive tho greatest mum ber of votes on election day, accord ing to those who are discussing tho campaign.
 Campaign without Issue
 Personality has counted for every thing in this campaign and herein may be found the contrast with campaigns of other days. Railroad rate regulation was tho prime issue in 1906, the first campaign follow ing the adoption of the new consti- tuition. Prohibition furnished the topic of conversation in 1910. Proht- bition and rate regulation were again the Issues In 1sf4. In 1918 ratifica ton of the federal prohibi- ton amendment was the chief issue. But in this good year. 1922, there is a campaign without an issue.
 Of course, various interests ars active and have been active, but those who are talking about Pe campaign have concluded that their discussions have made little impress sions on the voters, These issues naturally will be devolped for the convention which will be held by the democratic party September !, and are important in the selection Of the persons who will have seats in this convention. but there Is every indica- ton that the voters are taking no in- terest In issues which involve. can didates for the state offices. This probably Is due to the fact that. rs- gardiess of the personal views of the candidates, the platform of the party as developed In the democratic convention will be binding on the nominees and will be the party law of the state until another convention is held and another platform writ ten.
 Candidates Inactive
 For some weeks 1t was thought live interest would be created in the fight for the two positions on the public service commission. but in terest has become less during the d.. "A canAiAafAa instead of making attacks and answering attacks. seem to have re- duced their efforts to a personal campaign among the voters.
 One remarkable fact in this cam paign is that every candidate who qualified is still a candidate, with one exception. Not one has with drawn his name after tho campaign was actually started. John Denson of Birmingham qualified as a candidate for 8 position on tho court of ap- peals, but withdrew as soon as he found he would be forced to make the race against Judge William H. Sanford. close personal friend and kinsman by marriage.
 Brandon and Graves
 Since personality and friendship will count most in this campaign, tho voters are making a close study of the mon who arc seeking office. They find that Judge W. W. Brandon of Tuscaloosa and Bibb Graves of Mont gomery, the candidates for governor. have been active in politics many years and have records quite simi- lar.
 Judge Brandon served n the
 Spanish-American war and Colo-
 mel Graves in the World war.
 Judge Brandon and Colonel
 Graves both served as adJutnnt
 general of Alabama. Judge
 Brandon was state auditor and
 then, probate judge of Tuscaloosa
 county. Colonel Graves was
 chairman of the stnte democratic
 executive committee.
 Senator Charles s. McDowel1 of Eufaula and Senator Berrien T. Phil lips of opelika. opponents for lieu tenant governor, were colleagues in tho legislature during 1919. 1920 and 1921. However. Senator Mcdowell probably was better known at the beginning of the campaign because of his close connection with educa- ton as a member of the board of trustees of the Alabama Polytechnic Institpse and his close connection with fraternal organizations.
 For State Auditor
 For state auditor are the follow Ing capdidates: John H. Chapman. for many years warrant clerk of the auditors department and a state ex- aminer of public accounts until he resigned June 1 to make the cam paign; William F. Cobb of Tuske- gee, secertary of state, former census supervisor of the Fifth district, for mer member of the electoral college f-l MY n -H mingham, former chief clerk of the state auditors department and now chief clerk of the agricultural de- partment. a brother of NJ c. All good, state commissioner of agri- culture.
 Those in the race for secretary of state are: Walter |. Miller of Tus- cumbia secretary of the state sem ate, member of the electoral college | of Alabama in s2. census super wiser of the Eighth congressional ! district, editor of the Colbert County 1 Reporter; s. H. Elan of Troy. mem- ! Der of the electoral college In 1921. | editor of the Troy Messenger; Hepry | c. West of Birmingham. for many | years connected with the Alabama newspapers and with organized la bor. the man who carried Jefferson | county for secretary of state in 1918 by large plurality: Frank R. Ry- land of Birmingham, new entrant in state politics. but we'll known citizen and a prominent figure irij various activities for many years.
 For Service Commission
 For members of the public Service commission there are the following candidates: B. H. Coope of Birming- ham. incumbent. who was elected member of the commission eight years ago by large plurality and who was reelected four years ago; s. P. Gaillard of Mobile, who also was elected eight years agJ and re- >la hv fority %<up