The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-07-15
HARD ROAD FUR GOVERNOR COMER Pet Projects Have Met With
 Utter Defeat GLORY ENOUGH ANYWAY
While the Governor Has Run Against Opposition He Has Secured the Passage of Extremely Credit
 able Laws During Term.
BY HERVEY w. LAIRD.

Montgomery, July 14.-(Special.) )-Like every man who has led revolution, Gov ernor Braxton Bragg Conner is up against the reaction and the manner in which he meets the difficulties thereunto attached will spell the measure of his success as executive head of the state for the bal anee of his term. One of the laws that commanded his approval and from which he expected much in the control of cor porations has had a black eye in being declared unconstitutional by jurst, who, no matter whether he be popular or not with the leaders of the party now, is said to be one of the greatest lawyers of the south. This same judge has held up two other laws while investigation is made as to their fairness.
 It is also a fact that in two instances the executive has been unable to rally strength enough to accomplish what he seemed to desire, the defeat of repeal 5f tn loan tax and the promotion of some one of his own following in the race against Bankhead for the Senate. He plainly expressed his disapproval of the honor going to Banllhead and agreed io the repeal of the ta xlaw after a number of expressions indicating that he did not expect to do so
 And now seems to be coming another fight, that which is probable on the ap- propriatons to pay for defense in the courts of the railroad acts that have been temporarily enjoned. There is open opposition to it. Several senators have said they are against 1t, an also infu- ential members of the house. There can be no doubt that it is unpopular. Still there are few who believe that it will be defeated.
 Tie middle gronnd ddl1erents, of when will likely throw the vote to the extent of passing the bill is put by a leading sen ate chairman this way: Tt seems rather large sum to put out, but inasmuch as the laws have been passed by large ma jorties they have the sanction of tho state and the state is in a very material sense committed to them. Hence, do nor see how we can do anything else. It cer- tainly appears to me that while we may not like it, we can do no less than protect our offsprings. l am sure the fight is going to wage hard against the appropriation, but I am also well satisfied it will pass.'
 It cannot be denied, however, that the decision of Judge Thomas G. Jones in the revocation of license act has made many of them stop and think. There was very decided opposition to the law when 1t came up and many members sought tho author, Col. John Lusk, to ascertain if tt had been put to the constitutional test. They were informed that it had; that he bill was a copy of a law in force in an other state which had been declared legal by the supreme court of the United States The writer asked the question of the senator at the same time, recelv- ing the same answer. He also asked the governor if he thought 1t would stand
 test receiving reply in the affirmative. leading member of the senate argued with the governor that 1t was not constitution ally legal before it was enacted, but tha governor, who had been advised by some of the best lawyers in the country, felt that it was all right.
 And, as a matter of fact. the end is not yet. There is nothing final about the ruling of Judge Jones. There is the court of appeals to be heard from and last the supreme tribunal of the land If the law of another state has stood the test at the highest point 1t is argued that the alabama bill will be all the more apt to be establish ed. However. it will depend upon what the difference is between the organic laws of the states which have put the bill into effect. If they are alike there seems no doubt that the result will favor the state law; if not there is the rub
 At any rate the fight i3 to be a long time getting to an end and will cost a lot of money, as the attorneys of the state are all nigh -pricc4. rho will have to be paid a much as they would otherwise make. It is thought that the members of the legislature believe this way and will, in the end, come across with the cash, stiff though it may be. In the meantime though, it is very likely that there will be some talking out that will not along the lines of brotherly love or class meet ing experiences.
 But to get back to the governor There are many who compliment him for agreeing to the un, oing of things that seem to have been asty. rather than crow over what they term his defeat They point out that it Is in- credible that so much could have been done as was done at the first session without some mistakes. That they have proven to be mistakes and the gov ernor and other have agreed to undo them, Is not to be taken, they point out, as subjects for condemnation. IT the future Is freer from error as a consequence. there will be much of the harm undone and the fam outcome all the better for the corrective influences that flowed in from the people to re- strain their servants at the capitol.
 Along with the reaction has come an- other thing that every man who leads has to encounter. This is the realization that he cannot do everything he thought he could at once. Sometimes he cannot work it out in quit, a while. and some times never. With this comes skepticism ant the falling away of the less sturdy of the followers. Result: Loss to the leader of that sympathy which is neces- sary to help him accomplish and the lessening of his ability to win out in the end
 Thit Mir. Conner has not escaped this occasions no surprice. It is evident that ha has enough support to do pretty much what he desires if that be such service as to commend itself as of good to the 1,