The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-07-09
TMH BkIsAN sR1BOw LSEfYNs
IN PEE s0UTH.

ago. Tho Hon. Jotsph ". Bailey had been
successful in the primaries and the Legisla-
ture connrmsd the popular verdict. 10 tt
win happen in the case Of the Hon. John n.
Bankhead, who Ssd tho Alabama primaries
and ives, IN accordance with the bargain,
appointed by Governor Conner to all the UNI
expired term Of thu late John T. Morgan.
He also will be elected by the Legislature
whsn IL reasssmbles here next week.
There was soms talk Of q contest Just at
FIRST, but this has died away. Ths law
makers owe seriously thought of repudi-
ating the action Of thu psopis. Thsy could
not afford to do so even II they wished to,
which evidently they do not. Mr.. Bank
head winreturnt to Congress, where he made
avery useful member Of the House for many
years-this time to aft at the north end of
the Capitol and do what in him lies to prove
himself a worthy successor to the lAmented
Morgan.
The interesting feature Of the opposition
TO Bankhead b that 1t seems to have been
inspired almost wholly by Governor Conner.
Public opinion very generally aoquissoed In
the mandate issued by the primaries, and
until the Governor expressed the hope that
the Legislature would disregard that man
date thsre was no visible disposition TO con-
slider IN alternative oourss. Even the stir
caused by Corners very frank and unmis-
taksbly earnest appeal has, however. en-
tirely subsidized and Mr.. Bankhead's way
ow lies before him clear Of all distractions.
But many men are wondering whether the
Governor objects to Bankhead on personal
grounds or because he thinks the latter will
add strength to the ti-Bryan, snti-Roose-
welt contingent in the Senate. Conner was
elected a. . champion Of the plain people,
on the theory that he would defend them
against the tyranny and extortion Of tho
corporations, especially the railroad oorpo-
rstions, and It 10 assumed that he would
not have antagonized Bankhsad 80 urgently
and ~imperatively had he not ~preficured that
gentleman - . stubborn foe Of all his
policies.
Tho best informed Democrats one meets,
however, do not construs Corners attitude
toward Bankhead ~ implying q perpetus-
ton Of his former enthusiasm for the Hon.
William j. Bryan. II b generally believed,
in fact. that . GOODNESS has succeeded to
that ono tropical affection. No doubt
Conner hases III Octopus a. bittsrlyas ever.
but close observers are Of opinion that h
is dispossd to perform the championship
act himself without any sssistance from
Nebraska. He has found the role profitable
90 far. and seems to think It such q good
thing a. TO warrant him In setting up .
monopoly n Alabama. There III prevalent
suspicion, moreover, that Conner peroeivss
the attenuation Of tho Bryan fervor and b
getting ready 10 withdraw before 10 reaches
the vanishing point. He now fesh quite
capable OF working h popular snimosity
toward corporations ali BY himself, and
having made himself Governor Of q great
and prosperous Commonwealth by an in
dustrious exploitation Of the Bryan and
Roosevelt p~anaceas, he b ready to repudiats
his mentors and set up an oracle on his own
account.
Conner is q shrewd enough politician. He
has no thirst for nsrtyrdom in . lost cause.
Alabama h very busy. Alabama h rich and
getting richer. Conner sees that there IL
no longer q respectable following for the
Prophst Of Calamity. Al q matter Of fact.
Bryan was newer strong tn this state. The
serious, the r~esponsibe and tho progressive
elements Of the Democracy have nevsr %
copied his teaohings. Thousands refused
to vote for him when he was shs regular
party nominee. n hs ever had q day In
this State, the sun has long since set upon
IL. Tho only question ons hears raised
nowadays. sven BY the most bssotted of
his quondam ~rstinue. Il whether theirs may
not be Q Yankes, preferably an Eastern,
conspiracy 10 set Bryan aside and deliver
the national Democracy to some one of the