The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-12-31
ANAN|AS CLUB RENT BY POLITICAL TALK Members Discuss the Pending Campaign for Governor COMER AND CUNNINGHAM Their Rival Candidates Stir Up Dis. cord-Anti-Saloo Leaeue-The
 Campaign Will Be Plentiful
 In Question Asking.
COMER AND CUNNINGHAM
BY SEYMOUR RANSOM.

the Ananias club, and they got into it by talking about the pending campaign for governor in Alabama
 The Man From Tangipahoe was for Cunningham.
 He said that the genial doctor from Ems ley would collar Conner in the home stretch and smother the farmer manufactures in the race down to the wire.
 The Truthful Man From Texas was for Conner. body, soul and brooches.
 He said 1t would be a runaway race, if not a walkover, for the president of the railroad commsslon-another case of "Eclipse first and the rest nowhere"
 After these two had ehewed the rag for an hour, Little Liar No. butted into the discussion with the sapient remark that the liquor question would loom large on the political horizon before many moons had filled and waned. and that many candidate would be required to trim his sails to catch the liquor reform breeze.
 "The Aptl-Saloon league said Little Liar No. 5, lis an independent organiza- ton. It cannot be perverted into means for boosting the candidacy of any poli- tician, nor will 1t pervert any politician to support insincerely the cause it is ad vocatng.
 'The Anti-Saloon league" continued Lit tie Liar No with unwonted precise ness, presents a great moral and social issue to the people of the state. It pre- ba reason that political action Is necessary to accomplish the reforms the league has In view. The league Is, however, in no sense a political organization. On that point" added Little Liar No 5 gravely, my statement should be conclusive, for am I not a member of the Anti-Saloon league as well as of the Ananias club?"
 That sounds all very we'll" said The Truthful Man from Texas, but l hap pen to know that the Ant-Saloon league is laying pipes and pulling wires and rolling logs day and night in the political business. It is already in the political arena, whether 1t wishes to be there or not. To get what 1t Is after, the Anti Saloon league must capture the legisla- ture. The Anti-Saloon league is going after the legislature with directness and deter minaton."
 "In that case" said the Man From Tangipahoe, "every candidate for the leg islature next year will be put through political catechism. MT. Conner says that every man who runs for the legislature should be asked this question: Are you in favor of railway rate reform? And | hot date doesn't answer that question in the affirmative, promptly, emphatically. with out artifce or evasion, the said MT. Can didate ought to be sentenced by the people to serve a term of four years in abso- lute retirement. undisturbed by the nerve wrecking experience of office-holding and salary drawing. That's what MT. Conner says" drawled The Man From Tangi- pahoe.
 "Wen. what if he does?" snapped out, brusquely, The Truthful Man From Texas.
 "Oh, nothing, yawned The Man From Tangipahoe. But you can just bet your boots that MT. Conner isn't going to be permitted to conduct alone this statewide catechetical campaign-even if he is q former Sunday school superintendent" MT. Chairman cried Little Liar No B.. MT Chairman The Man From Tangipa- hoe is correct. The Anti-Saloon league has decided to go into the catechism busi- ness. At the leagues headquarters there are already fourteen cases. containing l each six little drawers, and every one of those drawers Is crammed with interroga- tories"
 May inquire." said The Truthful Man From Texas, what is the nature of the interrogatories mentioned by my friend, Little Liar No. 5?'
 Are you in favor of local option?' said Little Liar No. in high-pitched voice Are you in favor of local option? That s the question that the Anti-Saloon league Is going to pelt every candidate with from Lauderdale to Mobile. And, gentlemen, let me tell you right qlere and now that before they get through with their pelting they will have their men spotted or they'll know the reason why. The league says that the candidate who isn't willing to answer Yes to every question put to him by the Anti-Saloon league, might just as well take to the tall uncut. That 8 what they are saying and they're saying it all over the state"
 And they're saying something else. too," said The Man From Tangipahoe. slyly. "Or, at least. they're whispering it."
 "Whspering what?" growied The Truth full Man From Texas. The Man From Tangipahoe and Little Liar No. put their heads together a few moments.
 "Go ahead and tell em what the league S | going to do.'' said The Man From Tdngi- pahoe to Little Liar No. 5.
 began Little Liar No. 5. haltingy, but we'd accept one in case he'd turn up" Little Liar No. , paused. as though hesitating what to say next
 .'well. go on." urged The Truthful Man From Texas.
 Thank you" said Little Liar No. 5, | gratefully. Now, may I ask the gentle man a question? I'd like to ask The Truth ful Man From Texas what was the most important thing that happened September 9. 1905'
 Search me-" said The Truthful Man From Texas.
 Listen, I'll tell you" said Little Liar No. 5. "On that date Dr. R. NJ. Cunning ham announced his candidacy for gover- nor of Alabama
 Proceed" said The Truthful Man From Texas, weariedly.