The Washington herald., 1907-06-24
FIGHT ON BANKHEAD
GOvernOrtO0 Oppose COnfirma-
tiOn of Man lie Named.
C0MER HAD TO CHOOSE HIM
Alabama's Executive Opposed to
Plan OF Naming "AIternate Sena-
tor" bat Bows to Wishes of Party.
Controls so Per Cent of LegIsIn-
ture-Ex-COngressm at Work.

Birmingham. Ala. June 23.-Alabama
is witnessing the anomalous condition Of
a governor working TO have a United
States Senator deposed after he has ap-
pointed him.
Obeying the command Of the Democratic
voters, Gov. Conner on Monday appointed
Congressman John H. Bankhead as
successor to Senator Morgan Bank
head, in the last primary election, had
been chosen alternate Senator" TO be
appointed I'm case of Senator Morgan's
death and It was a duty the governor
was bound 10 perform.
It is by no means certain that Bank
head viii get the confirmation Of the leg
islsture when It recouveues July 10, how
ever.
Bankhead IS known to represent inter
ests not in line with Gov. Conner. and it
may be that the governor viii lead the
fight against his confirmation apd for the
election Of some other man whom the
governor favors.
There are those who contend that the
legislature. being simply I'm recess and not
having adjourned, the governor has no
right TO make the appointment. Again.
there are many who say the governor
himself has an eye on the place and may
exert his influence to swing the Office his
way.
Was Opposed 20 Plan.
Friends of the governor point out that
he was bitterly opposed 10 the alternate
Senator" plan from it's inception, and that
he agreed 10 accept its provisions only
when the Democratic State executive COM
mittee made It plainly known that he
would not otherwise be placed on the
Democratic ticket
Rather than disrupt the party. he
yielded.
Gov. Conner proved at the January ses-
sion Of the legislature that he controlled
50 per cent Of the legislature. The situa-
tion, therefore, is narrowed 10 the point
of Bankhead being able 10 overthrow the
Conner influence with the legislature.
This he has already begun TO attempt
by sending to members of the legislature
some weeks ago a circular letter. point
ing out what he considered the moral
right Of the legislature 10 give him the
Senatorship In case Of a vacancy.
Opinion on the issue seems divided in
Alabama. Some contend that the Iesisla-
ture IS not mentioned In the plan Of Sen
atorial succession" and that that body
is in no way bound to elect Baukhead.
They declare that Conner viii have done
his full duty when he makes the appoint
ment and that the State legislature
would be weak TO bow to a dictation Of
few men opposed TO interests in power
Say Ii Is Leglslature's Duty.
Others. however. insist that Bankhead
is the choice OF the people OF Alabama
for the office, and that the legislature.
expressing the viii of the people. is bound
TO elect the man they chose for the place
John II. Bankhead represented Ala
bama in the national Congress for twen-
" years, ending March Z. 1907 At the
primaries Of August last year he was
defeated by Capt Richmond Hobson. He
recently was appointed a member Of tho
international Waterways Commission by
President Roosevelt, a position he still
holds
He is regarded as an astute politician,
and is well known over Alabama. ItI
was on the railroad question mainly that
he lost his place in Congress to Capt
H0bson but his election to the place of
alternate Senator by such a handsome
majority shows his popularity.