The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-01-09
C. B. Werner, ]. Lee Long and
Judge Hugh D. Merrill APP
pear in Lead, But Several
Ballots May Be Necessary
Before Leader Is Selected
]. LEE LONG OPPOSED
BY LEADERS OF "DRYS"
Legislature viii Convene at
Noon Today--C on
For Secretary Of Senate Is
Four-Cornered Affair With
All Aspirants Confident
STATE CAPITAL BUREAU |
the AGE-HEtALD
Montgomery. Ala, Jan. B J

Montgomery. Ala, Jan. .
The Alabama legislature will con-
vene today at noon.
Democratic members of the Ala
bama house of representatives will
be forced into a caucus Tuesday
morning for the selection of a
speaker With four candidates still
in the contest Monday evening, it
was apparent to observers that the
man who is elected will receive the
honor on the second or subsequent
ballot. Three of the four candidates
j. Lee Long, Judge Hugh d. Mer-
rill, C. B. Verner-were claiming
victory during the pow-wow in the
lobby of the Exchange hotel during
the evening. Mr.. Long seemed
more certain of success and claimed
a majority on the first ballot. Judge
Merrill and Mr.. Werner made no
claims of the majority and declared
that the election will be carried into
a second ballot. fractional caucuses
was the order of the dav and OBJ
servers seemed to believe that there
had been switching. Indications
were that Mr.. Long had the great
est number of votes but not enough
to elect him on the first ballot.
Those who had watched the situa-
ton since members of the legisla-
ture gathered seemed to think Mr..
Werner and Mr.. Merrill had mus.
tered about 80 votes each and that
Mr.. Long probably would have the
remainder of the democrats, or 43.
The house is composed of los, but
three aref republicans and will not
participate in the democratic caucus.
If no member receives majority
on the first ballot the man who re-.
ceives the fewest number of votes
probably will be dropped and the
other two will be entered on the sec
ond ballot.
Friends of j. Lee Long appear to
be aligned with no particular fac
ton Mr. Verner's supporters in
clude ardent prohibitionists and the
home folks of Governor Brandon.
Judge Merrill, according to indica-
lions, had the support of the mem
bers who are particularly interested
in the development of adequate edu-
cational program.
There was much talk during the
evening that the ardent prohibition
list will not under any circumstances
support Mr.. Long and that If MI
Werner receives a greater number
of votes. on the first ballot than
who likewise are supposed to be OPP
posed to Mr. Long, will go to Mr..
Werner However, this talk must go
for naught IL Mr.. Long is able to
sustain his declaration that he will
be elected on the first ballot.
With the speakership contest the
leading subject of discussion, sec
ond interest remained in the race
for secretary Of the senate, where
four men are still contenders, they
being j. E. Speight, Henry s. Reese,
Walter S. Miller and O.. T. Smith.
Friends OF each OF the four candi-
dates profess to believe that he Will
be elected. 1t is not probable that
the members of the senate will enter
a caucus for the election of a sec
rotary because the senate is unani-
mously democratic Not republican
candidate for the senate survived the
November election.
ONLY two other contests will be
waged for the election of subordinate
officers. J. p. Hanks and Cecil Alex
arder are candidates for enrolling
clerks of the house, while Miss Jessie
Lamar and Mrs. M. l.. Walker are
candidates for engrossing clerks of
the senate. j. ii. Stewart of Mont
eomery will be elected clerk OF the
house without opposition, while John
O. Adams will be reelected assis-
tant clerk and Leon Jackson will be
reelected engrosslng clerk without
opposition J.. F. Campbell was a
candidate for assistant clerk but
withdrew during the day.
Ellis UnOpposed
OF course Senator J. b. Ellis OF
Dallas will be elected president pro
tenn Of the senate. 1t has been known
go long that he would be unopposed
for this honor that no one has con-
sidered this position in the discussion
of the various places which must be
apportioned by the members of the
legislature.
Both houses of the legislature will
be called to order at IL o'clock Tues
day Lieut.. Gov. Nathan L. Miller Of
Birmingham will WELD the gayel in
the senate and S. 4. Lynne, speaker
of the house, will call the house 70
ORDER Lieutenant Governor Miller
will preside at all sessions of the
senate this week and Will surrender
the office next Monday to Charles S.
Mcdowell. lieutenant governors elect,
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