The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-05-18
A LOSING CAMPAIGN.


 When man sets out to win the nomination for an Important and high ly responsible position. he ought te have some more creditabie and win- ming asset than abuse and dcnuncia- tion of others If he has any definite policy or policies. any Important end in. view. or any great work for people and State that he proposes to accom- plish, he should eonfine himself to the advocacy of such measures and leave scolding and villification to those who have no other argument. cam paign of abuse may win certain class, but it will not secure and retain the support of good and intelligent citi- gems.
 Unfortunately for himself, MT Conner is conducting q campaign of denunci- ation and accusation. At the outset. when he had the field practically to himself. he was lavish in pledges and assertions of what he would do and what others had failed to do. There was no one along to dispute his state ments or to correct his mistatements. He could indulge to his hearts content in his favorite business of disparaging other public men, living or dead. and thus elevating himself to pinnacle of seH-established areatness which there was no possibility of reaching by the aid of others who knew him. T did. can, I will. was the burden of his addresses, and with 1t was mingled dis parasement of many of the best men who have held office in Alabama, and who have not been safe even in their honored graves from his attacks.
 But now conditions are very decided ly changed. Mir. Conner has an active, and fearless talented opponent who know all his rivaPs weak points and never fails to find them. pr, Cunning hams candidacy has put the best news papers of the State on Mir: Corners track and they are exposing his un- founded claims, disproving many of his assertions and defending the dead whom he has attacked. He finds him self met on the platform by Dr. Cum ningham. who knows him, who has followed his tracks and kept up with his reckless course 'n the past. What is more. the Doctor is able, ready and willing to prove to the people of Ala bama that Mfr. Conner has been de- eeiving them in various ways, making claims that more not we'll founded and pledges that he cannot possibly carry out.
 Ind moi. Dfr rfoY, vHyoc natural for man of MT. Corners tenn perament and many weaknesses to lose his temper and change his methods from self-gforification to abuse and denunciation. On every occasion when he and Dr. Cunningham meet in joint debate, he gives additional evidences of his Unbalanced mind and the weak ness of his cause. He finds that claims and assertions without foundation can no longer pass unchalIenged and un- corrected, and so he flees into berser- ker fury and abuses everybody.
 That kind of campaigning is not the sort to. succeed tn such a race as the present. The people of Alabama do not want Governor who makes charg- es without proof, claims without foun- dation and accusations without cause or reason. That kind of political cam paigning may win a certain sup port. but we mistake the people of Alabama if they want such man for Governor. That he Is and has for some weeks been conducting losing fight has so angered and unbalanced him that he is showing just what manner of leader he is and proving that he is not the man for Governor of Alabaa. And when he is defeated, he will have the poor consolation of knowing that he is himself most responsible for his downfall.