The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-06-16
C0MER STARTS FIGHT
 AGAINST PRIMARY PLAN
CONTINUED FROM PAGE I.


 one of the most representative bodies for years, and fresh from the people, distinct ly condemned this action of the executive committee as an unwarranted, unheard of and unprecedented demand on the people and candidates for the office of chief executive, and distinctly ordered that such plan should only be recognized until the legislature next met. That then the legislature should exercise their right un- der the constitution to elect, and 1 will here commend that the wisdom of that convention Is shown in the fact that the policies and requirements of the senator to be elected to carry out the best in- terests of the state in the Senate is very different from what 1t was one year ago.
 The revolution in the United States gov ernment and state government in the past year has projected into our politics new features of government and of the most Important character. The President of the United States has outlined plan for the federal assumption of the states au- thority in the federal dominance and man agement of the states most important rights, and even in our capital city an injunction has been filed in the federal court against the state in it's exercise of l its proper function of control in it's in- terlal affairs, in the matter of control of it's public service corporations, as to whether or not the state has the right to limit them in their management and charge. A measure of vital importance to the state, and the people should have, in this highest branch of the government, the United States Senate, a representative in whom they could place the utmost con- fdence and trust. This is one of the most serious issues before the people to- day. One for them to retain as an inalien- | able right; the destruction of which would lead on to the loss of control of the states government by the people. On this &C., count I will advise the legislature that in many years 1t has never been so impor- tant to exercise the utmost discretion in their selection of United States senator. On the vote of single man may hinge the life or death of policies of utmost lm- portance to the state
 Will Request New Primary.
 T will further say that if by any means i the legislature fails to elect or to recom- mend a primary for the election of a United States senator, that on their ad- journnlent I will request the proper au- | thorltes to order a primary to make such selection Whether one or the other is done it well becomes the legislature to move with prudence and care. It is needless 10 add that l am governor Gov einor for four years, and propose to re- main so, and in no sense of the word T 
 am not only sworn to uphold the consti- tuition, but pledged to carry out, as best | I can every policy outlined in my cam paign; to carry into effect the laws en- acted and to be enacted by the legislature and In the words of old Confederate en- l listment, This Is for three years or the war, and l trust and pray for the help of every citizen, and I wish that throwing aside every prejudice they will join In with me and help in the discharge of thls patriotic duty.
 "The state of Alabama, the people of Alabama are entitled to representatives,, officers unenvironed by inimical lnfiu- ences and in full accord with the pesens l policies, which policies should never be- come reactionary. This has no personal reference. It simply means that I think the legislature should feel no embarrass- men in their conduct, but should elect the man, who in their judgment will best servo the state and United States in this crisis.
 In Nowise Binding.
 "To repeat the executive committed g order, the result of the primary cannot be construed as in any wise binding the , legislature. It's effect was specifically lirn- ited to the executive. It was for the pur- pose of electing an appointee for the gov ernor, and provided that the person so 1 that is for the term between the occur l renee of a vacancy and the next meeting of the legislature, not for any other, or l further term or time. The winner in that primary Is entitled to that term and shall receive 1t. It now becomes the untrammeled duty of the legislature to
 selected a senator for the balance of the unexpired term of our late senior senator
 In the discharge of this duty they should give the state representative in harmony with the views of the people on the dom- | inant issues now before the country"