The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-01-07
LOOKS LIKE GRAY WILL WIN FIGHT Conner Influence is for His Ap- pointing Senate Committees TWENTY SENATOR'S PLEDGED snt-Governor-Elect Sees Mud dle in Thomas Loyalty, Both to
 Those Opposing Conner and
 to Conner.
TWENTY SENATOR'S PLEDGED

Montgomery, January 6.-(speeial)-Th impression gained from talking to mem- bers of the legislature tonight is that there will be two sessions. the first to run about twenty-four days and the lat ter to follow about September. Col. s. W. John of the Jefferson delegation, said that he could see no other way to get through with the work
 It will take, he says six weeks to read and digest the new code lot alone other work. Col J. L. Bulger announced to- night that he was not in the race for speaker, and while some friends had com plimented him along this line, he was not candidate. It Is understood he will be for Martin.
 Probably half of the members of the leg isiature are here. many coming today. Martin and Goodwin both express conf dence In their race for speaker. A pre- liminary caucus of the mouse is expected tomorrow night.
 It developed definitely tonight that all the influence of the Conner administration Is to be on the side of Henry B. Gray. lieutenant governor, in his contention that he is charged by the people with the duty of appointment the committees of the sen ate. In the contention of Perry Thomas, who is to be president pro tenn of the senate, this is opposed on the ground that no such authority exists and that the president pro tenn shall make the selec- tions. Lieutenants of the Conner following will be here tomorrow to aid MT. Gray In the fight which is growing warmer as the time of the session draws nigh. MT. Gray made the following statement tonight:
 q can say that l have the hearty sup port of Governor Conner and his friends. Frank S. White and w. D. Nesbitt of Birmingham and Bibb Graves and J. Craig Smith of Montgomery, all ardent supporters of Mir Conner, will be here tomorrow to lend me their enthusiastic a'a, I have twerty senators pledged to me, all of whom supported MT. Conner save two, these two being for me for pes u friendship.
 Up to now no senator who voted for MT Conner has announced his intention to support Mir Thomas. At present the lren working here for MT. Thomas are Reese of Dallas, Teasley of Montgomery and Blackmon of Calhoun, all of whom were for Dr. R. M. Cunningham for gov ernor. MT. Thomas was for Dr. Cunning ham. and if he has concluded to support the incoming administration, as he says he has. I am sure he will have difficulty in controlling the men about him and those who support his contention as to the organization of the Senate.
 Tt seems to me that MT Thomas 'envl- ronment Is as nearly that of Dr. Cum ningham as anything l can conceive I forgot to say in addition to this, Dr. Cunningham has recently given out an interview in which he says that he Is strongly for the position taken by MT. Thomas. It may be that with Dr. Cum ningham supporting him, as well as other Cunningham members of the senate, that should Mr. Thomas organize the senate the Conner administration will have his hearty support. but l can hardly see how even MT. Thomas with all the power of the president pro tenn could accomplish so much. l do not see how MT. Thomas can be loyal to his supporters, who are are opposed to MT. Conner, and to MT. Conner at the same time.'